Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-04-07
M Meeting of the State Board of Agriculture
Manufactures and Mining.
At wNitsneId, Thursday and Friday, Feb.
II aud Is.

Secretary Seely, who were detained by un.
avoidable business engagements. The as
sembly was called to order by John B.
Mead, and on motion Il. w. Bsbee, Esq, of
Waits6ed was elected as chairman Of the
meeting. On taking the chair he greeted
the board with short speech.
lie said he had been looking forward to
this meeting with great deal Of anxiety,
and hoped to see liberal attendance and
well filled hall A previous meeting of the
board at Waitsfeld, three or four years be-
fore, had been we'll attended but not in all
respects success lie understood that the
board Of to-day was different one from that
Of four years ago, and realized the fact that
their efforts during the present winter had
produced the most satisfactory results, and
wherever they had been they had created
great enthusiasm. He thought that if the
farmers of Mad river valley do not rise up
with the same enthusiasm, they would soon
fnd themselves behind their brothers in other
parts of the state lie hoped all who were
present would be in the hall during the en-
tire session, and invite their neighbors to
come with them. In conclusion, he extended
the cordial welcome Of thoPeople Of Waits
field and vicinity, to the gentlemen Of the
board
The first paper on the mornings pro-
gramme was by L. A. Fisk, Esq, of Waits.
field on Leaks in Farming"
The speaker began by saying that his sub
ject was well worn, and any attempt Of his
to add anything new to it might be failure,
but still, he thought, we must learn its value
line upon line We suffer these losses aud
leaks from various causes. First, in conse-
quence of not being ready to do thugs at
their proper time. Our summer seasons are
short and delay of few days in planting
our crops may cause irreparable injury. We
should have some plan of our years work
the fall before, and should do as much oil
our plowing in the fall as possible. First,
came the winters work Of getting in wood,
then as spring opened we must be ready to
manufacture our maple sugar, as the first
make Of it is the best. Then, if there was
any land to be seeded to grass, it must be
done early Oats, early potatoes aud bests
are better if planted early. Indian corn
does not need planting so early, but one
should be ready to take advantage Of the
season, for it is better to risk the chances
of frost in the spring than fall, The speaker
referred for an illustration TO an example in
his own experience, where he lost S25 in a
crop of corn by being three or four days late
in planting. After planting was over it was
necessary to wage war Of determination on
weeds, and to properly cultivate the growing
crops. Then came haying. Early cut hay
is the best; but few of US get at 1t early
enough Hayiug, in this vicinity is finished
one to two weeks sooner than formerly, by
the aid of the moving machine and other
improvements in the methods of farming
The speaker then referred to the want oil
care in saving manure, as cause Of consid.
erahle leak in the economy Of the farm
Every farmer should save all his fortilizinl
material, even that from sinks, spouts, anC
drains, and he would gain an additional ben
eft in the improved sanitary condition o
his family. Another leak arose in the meth
} ods of butter making. There is too muct
poor and medium butter made. Prime but
} ter always sells, medium does not. Othe
leaks come from keeping inferior animals
We don't consider the character of our COW
: enough. Statistics show the advantage 0
keeping good COWS and of taking care o
them. Poor buildings are another source o
inconvenience and leak. We should max
our barns comfortable for our animals, for
they are cold, the hay NOW will leak gu
through the cracks. The speaker said b
J would leave the leaks in buying and selin
G to his granger friends, who were better abl
9 TO discuss that than he was, and closed b.
urging his hearers to allow the improvement
+ of their minds aud hearts, to keep pace wit
a the improvement Of the soil,
c Following Mr.. Fisks paper, c. e. PringI
$ of Charlotte read his paper on "Smut an
y Ergot," which has been previously reporte
I in these columns, so we omit an abstract
IS it. At its conclusion the meeting was az
Q journed till after dinner.
y Thursday afternoon.
. The afternoon session opened with an il
5 creased attendance. The FIRST paper on Il
e programme was on "Leaves as Fertilizers
T. by u. W. Boyco Of Fayston, but as NJ
, Boyce was detained by sickness he sent h
a paper in, and it was read at the conclusiC
st Of Mr., j. Holden's paper, which we give b
10 low, on
ID Commercial Fertilizers.
1t 1t is not with any expectation Of preson
it ing IDEAS that will be new to you that a
y tempt to speak at this time, but to call yo
\ attention to a subject that | deem worthy
il consideration. With somany uninterested pc
re sous to look after the best interests of d
" farmer, it is strange, passing strange, tn
y, there ever should be failure But wi
40 are these that are so willing to work
or faithfully for our good Who are these Sc
appointed guardians or missionaries III