Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-02-18
WHOLE NO. 271.

Of agriculture, stating in what manner II was
formed aud the objects il was intended to
accomplish, saying that al! things appertain-
ing to the mineral, vegetable or animal
kingdoms come within the range Of its discus
sions. He dealt in statistics showing the
vast amount Of farm crops grown in the
union. Continuing. he said, here in Wind
ham county we have diversity Of coil, sur
face and crops, aud we ought to show in
practical work that our farmers and their
families are equal to any in tho land in SCI
cnce, agriculture, and all that appertsins to
an enlightened community. Does farming
pay in Windham county That il has paid
in the past is proved by the many pleasant
residences owned and occupied by farmers;
BY the five national banks with capital Of
S75O,O00, and the fine savings banks hold
ing deposits Of s2,507 ,s07, the farmers hav-
ing their share in these institutions, and
many having other investments at home and
abroad. There is but little mining and but
few manufactures in the county. Most Of
these homes and of this surplus capital have
been made from the profits Of farming This
for the past; but does Turning pay nowS
These farmers who have been contented with
their farms, kept up their buildings and
fences and made home so pleasant and at
tractive that their sons and daughters wished
to stay at home, make the butter and cheese,
and improve the soil, lived within
their MEANS studied the science of farming,
used their brains as well as their hands, and
will say that farming pays. While those
who are discontented, wanting to SELL neglect.
ing the buildings, making home so unpleasant
that their sons and daughters leave as soon
as possible impoverish the soil from want OF
care and the application of fertilizers, living
beyond their means aud using no brain work
will say that farming does not pay. The
population Of the county is diminishing;
many farms and homes are being deserted.
1t is said that there are 300 of these in the
county either annexed to adjacent farms or
turned to pasture and growing up to wood.
For the wealthy farmer to buy out his neigh.
Dor and annex the two farms, thus breaking
up one home, will diminish the value Of real
estate in any locality. The true principle is,
small farms and good, better, best cultiva-
tion. In consequence of long.continued cul-
tivation and a neglect to supply the requisite
amount Of plant food in the form of manure,
the soil has lost some of its elements Of fer
tility, portion of these having been removed
with every pound Of butter, cheese, beef or
other prodrct sold from the farm. Our pas.
lures have deteriorated, aud how to restore
them is problem which we wish the board
Of agriculture or the professors of the Yer.
mont agricultural college to solve. The
farms between Fayetteville and Townshend
furnish examples of farming that pays, while
in some other localities the reverse is true.
To farm with economy we must raise the
greatest quantity Of crops with the least
expense without permanent injury to the
soil. Every person should study the nature
Of plants, which are composed of organic
and inorganic matter. The inorganic part
Of the plant is the ash which results from
burning. The organic part is that which
passes away in burning. Plants obtain their
inorganic food from the soil. When the soil
is deficient in this food the plant will not
thrive and such food must be supplied. The
application Of fertiliziDg material in such
quantities and condition as the soil requires,
with the best of cultivation, will insure the
largest crops. As manure is Of the first
Importance, all fertilzing material about the
farm must be saved, and by shelter and the
use of absorbents preserved in the best con.
dition, one cord of manure we'll cared for
being worth more than ten cords from which
all the ammonia and soluble parts have been
lost by evaporation and teaching. In add.
tion to the farm manure, purchase oil the
lime, ashes, phosphates aud plaster that can
be afforded, and use them where they are
needed. The formation of farmers clubs in
many towns for the discussion Of matters
| pertaining to the agricultural interest, aud
the establishment of town and county fairs
show that there is intelligence and prosperity
among the farmers
Col Mead: My barn cellar is As feet
square and nine feet high. Here are mixed
the different kinds of manure, where it re.
mains over one season. Before applied to
the soil manure must become Thoroughly
disintegrated. One load of manure under
my treatment Is worth three under the old
system Manures lose something by freez.
ling. II is not good practice to draw out
and expose to the weather 10 large heaps.
Good muck is a frst.rate absorbent and
should be used literally. Next to this in
quality is forest leaves Sawdust or sand
are better than nothing
is good absorbent.
Mr. Green of Fayetteville thinks there is
no loss in drawing out and leaving manure
in large heaps.
Mr. Batchelder All dead animals should
be mixed with absorbents and utilized Dry
hard wood sawdust is a good absorbent.
After the conclusion Of the discussions
upon Mr. Batchelders paper G. Horace Huh
bard of the board gave an address upon
The Grass Crop" which has been reported
before.
During the discussion following, Mr. Bat.
chelder asked, What fertilizer shall we use
to restore our pastures, to which Prof Seeley
replied that there can be no complete resto.
ration but upon some would advise reseeding
and application Of fertilizers.
Col Mead: We are at a disadvantage
with our forefathers in regard to the fertility
of the soil and are waking up to the
fact. Then the frtility Of the farms seemed
} exhaustless. The soil must be made better.
) There is not a commercial fertilizer that
will do this, Ashes are the best and safest
fertilizer that We can buy. Have doubled
the grass crop on my farm by my system of
saving and applying manure aud by reseed-
; ing to grass in the fall. We cannot keep SO
great an amount Of stock in our pastures as
; formerly. We have not the manure to spare
with which to fertilze them. Would top-dress
with lime, plaster aud ashes. There is no
country that will develop better animals than
Vermont. Think it is more profitable 10
! grow grass than corn. The manure required
: to fertiize one acre of corn will be sufficient
for four acres of grass. lIave received bene'
6t from pIowing IN a crop OF buckwheat but
10 plowing ia green crops without the appli-
cation Of other fertilizers We do not add any.
thing 10 the soil which has not been taken
: from 1t, and though of present benefit it fol-