davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-22
Wintering Stock.

We clip from an exchange the following
method Of caring for stock in winter. 1t
will do very well with few head, though il
would involve much work bat IL VIC had
our barns rightly arranged, with cattle all
in one stable, with running water in front of
each one, so they could drink when they
liked, We should get along quite easily and
have our herds look so much better, and do
so much better. One great trouble is, we
keep too many cows and keep them too poorly
--expend our labor on smaller number and
our returns would be as great as now.
Last winter, l had four cows, some young
stock and some sheep, and the neighbors
wanted to know how kept them looking so
we'll. will tell my farmer friends how l
managed with them. In tho morning, / gave
them all feed Of good hay. After milking
gave them run or meadow hay, and, after
breakfast, gave them corn fodder and wat
cred them while eating. then gave them
meadow hay aud wheat straw to pick ovel
until noon. Then l gave them good hay
and, just after dinner, more meadow hay
At night gave them good hay again, wat
cred them while eating, then gave them rur
or meadow hay and, in the evening, fees
OF corn fodder. followed this method unit
the first Of March, then gave Eve feeds o.
good hay until the first Of April, then gave
the cows two quarts of meal day for two
weeks before dropping their calves, l gav'
| Al l.. - l. r.
kind. and they all came out looking we'll anC
in better order than when they came frou
the pasture this fall.
Always water your stock while eating
they will drink quicker and better. Il
makes them swallow their cud to eat whicl
they are loath to do when thoy drink, fol
some cause unknown to me- think il
better to water twice day, as they do no
drink so much at time, and large quaint
ty chills them. .
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-22
Easily Suited.

The Prairie Farmer is happy. The Gen.
tennial commission has awarded the highest
prize for butter to Illinois, therefore the
West can beat the Union If that is not
credulity what is? Centennial award Is it
not patent fact that everything from Blk
by's boot-blackiug to the COrliss engine took
the "highest award ?" Now, as to the facts.
There are certain sections of Vermont even,
where gilt-edgcd butter can't be made. Ger
tain conditions Of the pasture produce such
feed as takes the gliding off the butter, and
no patent pans, or churns, or care can put it
on. Gilt-edged butter can be made only
where the pastures are the sweetest, the wa
ter pure, the run of the COWS to and from
the pasture short, shade sufficient for shelter
from midday heat. Now, they can make
good butter in lllinois-Chicago people who
never taste that from the green hills Of our
own state think it gilt-edge, ignorance is
bliss-but the highest grades Of butter cannot
be produced on western prairies. They may
get good, sweet, succuent grasses, but the
water from streams almost staguant cannot
put on the delicate gliding that comes from
our mountain streams purified by constant
agitation in the air and sunlight. Then there
is something in the white, sweet clover on .
rocky hillside which gives to butter favor
which that made from the feed Of low,
marshy pasture can never possess.
Such are the facts and stubborn they are,
but with some favorite creed is held with
unyieldiug tenacity in spite of things as sim
pie as facts. We yield the palm cheerfdly
to the West in many things, but the purpose
Of the Creator of Vermon's rugged hills and
green valleys can never be thwartsd BY
awards OF centennial commissioners, moi
though all the grain fields Of the great Wes
be turned into pastures and meadows for but
ter dairies. We will take your corn to ado
to the quantity of our product, but the gild
ing is all our own and by no centennial edictl
can it be taken from US.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-22
Gossip about Living Poet.

William Cullen Bryant recently celebrat-
ed his S2d birthday, having been born Nov.
3, 1874, in Cumington, Mass He looks
little over three score and ten, having still
an erect figure and elastic step. He shows
his vigor aud fondness for exercise by walk
ing, as he quantity puts it, "every morning
down to his EUening Post" The poets
head and face are covered with liberal
supply Of silvery locks. Mr.. Bryant writes
so little poetry now he may be said to have
laid down the Tyre; but of general and jour-
nalstic labor he still performs a great deal
of work
Mr.. TenDyson, now sixty-six years old, IS
still in his prime of thought and capacity for
work. The only i'll he is heir to is an an
nual hay fever. He is six feet high, broad
shouldered and large boned, but not stout.
His hands and feet are large. His face is
long, and somewhat resembles that of Dante,
save that he has not the rigid mould and
expression of the great Florentine, and the
nose is not so aquiline. His hair is long
and black, his complexion olive.
Whittier is sixty-eight years old and a
most quaint, kindly and refined person using
habitually the Quaker "thee" and "thou."
Henry W. Longfellow is year older, and
wears well the dignity Of the gentleman and
poet.
Lowell is fifty-seven, and has tho look of
the critic rather than the poet.
Stoddard is 6tty-six years old, about five
feet nine inches high and wears a full iron
gray beard. The author looks every inch a
poet, and in conversation is bright and witty.
For fifteen years he "fed at the public crib"
in the custom service but now his whole
time is occupied in contributing to tho mag
azines and newspapers. The right hand be-
ing paralyzed, Mr.. Stoddard has learned to
write with his left hand. Stoddard's wife
is writer of no mean ability, and has made
a reputation for herself in the literary world.
Thomas Bailey Aldrich, just forty years
of age, was born in New Hampshire laid
the foundation for his reputation in New
York wrote "Bobie Belle while he was
in his teens and now resides in Boston. Al
drich's reputation as poet and novelist is
increasing and improving, foreign critics of
high authority placing him among the first
American writers.
William Morris, the poet lives in a charm
ing house in London, frightened by tho
presence of beautiful wife and three pretty
children. His study is reached by three
flights of stairs, and is bare room, hung
with Jumps of tobacco, and having for writ
ing purposes curious hacked table and an
ancient ink horn. Herein the "Earthy
Paradise" was written. The shaggy haired,
kind faced poet never looks handsOmer than
when his little ones are dancing about hin
aud climbing over m.--Home Journal.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-22
For the VERMONT PARHER
Where Lies the Superiority
by s. L. CHAMBERLIN.

The consumption of eggs Is so universal
and large that few farmers or villagers who
have space for few fowls are found desti-
tute of these useful and profitable animals
Eggs are very nutritious and tOOthSome, aud
can be manipulated by the skillful housewife
into many varieties Of food, or used now and
then in place Of, and as diversion from, a
flesh diet with excellent relish.
Hence, in selecting breed Of fowls, it Is
for the interest Of the purchaser to procure
the best, If there is one having a superiority
over all others 10 the number Of eggs pro-
duced annually, in the quality Of the flesh
aud the amount thereof which should also
enter into the computation, taking into con-
sideration the amount of food required to
produce them. The writer has no desire or
interest to disparage any of the fancy breeds,
Nor does he take the untonable ground that
Improvement in fowls is impossible by select
ing and breeding from the best individuals,
and by judiCious crossing if the production
Of eggs, delicacy of flesh, or size be held
steadily 10 view. II the fancy breeder in hb
enthusiasm for color has produced from thl
gallinaoeOus fowl breed that will furnish
two eggs as often as others furnish one Ol
more or better flesh with an equal numbe
of eggs-lor fowls are valuable for genera
keeping iu proportion to their production 0
eggs-and all without an increase Of food
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-22
For the vermont FARMEH.
The Best Curranu,
BY II. II. HAINES.

Many probably suppose that there is verv
little difference in the various kinds of cur
rants that they see mentioned from time to
time, and yet the fruit grower who
allows himself to be guided by such
belief, will fnd himself coming out second
in the race. An amateur or expert will
probably tell you that the difference is al
most as marked as it is in the case Of other
fruits. There are twenty or thirty kinds
recognized by authorities, but | will only at
this time refer TO few of the most desir-
able.
La VeTSGillaise.-This is probably the
most popular Of all, if the demand for plants
can be taken as a guide. The berries are
among the largest in size, Of red color
and pleasant acid favor. The plants are
more vigorous and productive than the next
kind l will mention, and the fruit selll
equally as high. 1t is being largely planted
out for market purposes, and is probably the
most profitable Of any that shall name.
Cherry.--This is perhaps better known
than the preceding, as all large ourrantS ar,
called by this name in the markets but this
does not prove, however, that it is the best
The berries are of the same size as the Yer
saillaise, little more acid and punches some.
what shorter. The fruit is OF dark, red
dish color when fully ripe, and always com
mands good price. have given them tn
second place on this list, and that l think il
the position that they should properly Oc
cupy.
White Grdpe.-This is a very desirabl
addition to every garden, and as it become
better known it is receiving very genera
favor The berries are Of large size, an
make very pretty contrast when intermr
gled with the other varieties. Being LEI
acid than the others they mako many friendI
even among those to whom the amount {
sugar saved is q matter Of no Importance.
VietOria.-ThiS is latO red variety thu
has the valuable property Of remaining o
the bushes for some time after the othel
have disappeared, thus PrOlongiug the Sensc
into the hot days Of summer, when lit
acid fruit is very acceptable. If the ma
/ ting from an old tea chest, or piece Of Ol
tow cloth is placed over the fruit while it
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-22
For the vERNoHg FARnEs.
Pasturing Meadows.
ny 7. c. NARAMoRE.

am in favor Of abstaining from this
practice, but not from the reason geserally
urged--to protect the grass roots from freez-
ing winters, for the ground is sure to freeze
and when frozen, nothing can harm them
Bot the manner in which they are thawed
is where the danger lies, and here the after
growth is Of vital Importance, making the
process Of thawing more gradual, as well as
less frequent than when the ground is bare.
| claim the benefit is in preventing thawiug
instead Of freezing. There is another bene.
it from the thick coat Of grass left at the
roots in the fall, and that is to provide an
absorbent to retain the spring showers and
heavy dews as long as possible to mulch the
roots and keep them moist In the most try.
ing time in the year, May and June, cspo.
cially in case Of dry weather, when if there
is nothing TO shade or mulch the grass roots,
the sun and winds dry them of at once.
But when there is a mat Of old grass filed
with moisture the suns rays warm and con.
wort it into hot.bed, Fastening rather than
robbing them of the moisture so necessary
to their growth. Let US hear from more
farmers on the subject Of growing grass
successfully, it being one of the most i'm.
portant branches of Vermont farming.
WiIhston ~ ...
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-22
Eggs During Winter.

1t is by no means the cold weather that
prevents hens from laying, az it is frequently
stated or fancied. Many pullets-Of many
varieties---wil begin to lay their first littcrs
in December, or January, and very frequently
the Asiatics will "lay all winter long" moro
or less, after the month Of November, as we
have reason to know. But these "winter
layers" of any breed, are those that have
been hatched early in the season, and who
have successfully gone through their moult,
in the fall or late summer. After they re-
cover fairly from the critical indispositiou
referred to, they began rapidly to make egg
meat, aud soon began to lay.
We sometimes read, OF late, about the
remarkable breed Of fowls" that some en-
ttusiastc young fancier has become possessed
Of (which begins to lay invariably early in
the fall, aud continues right on regularly,
cold or warm, through the winter and spring,
and succeeding summer" This must be a
wonderful variety, indeed We have never
yet met with any such fowls, and We never
expect to. 1t is entirely against Natures
laws that any such unusual occurrence should
take place with domestic poultry, Of any
description. f ........ .... .
That some varieties lay more eggs, and
some loss. we all know. But the process
OF egg. growing in the bird, and the natural
laying OF that product, are governed by fixed
laws and there is no deviation from those
laws. Hens do not lay when they are moult.
ing. Feathers fall out, and new plumage
forms during this term, but no eggs are
created then. If you get your birds oui
early enough in the year to allow them tC
pass their moult in mid summer, such pullets
will be likely to lay early in the following
winter.
Ii those fowls, when year DID, pas
safely through the second moulting in the
summer, they will again lay early in the
second winter and SO on. But never expect
your late moulting hens of any variety, Il
lay eggs 10 winter time. 1t is simply i'm
possible. The secret of these "winter-lay
ing fowls" will be found to be limited Il
those hens or pullets which are very earl
hatched, and which first pass healthiy through
the mOultiug, in good season. Fanciers
Journal. ~ .... ....
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-22
Farmers.

Farmers are chatty; il takes them some
time to get walked up; they are like tho
oxen they drive in that they move slowly,
but they do move and that surely, strongly
and safely, as a general rule We sat down
few evenings since with some by the stove
and IL seemed long time before we could
get their ideas "thawcd OUT into expression,
but we succeeded and they talked, not glibly
but cautiously, frankly, honestly and wisely
from cut ofan experience Ofyearsiu battling
for life on our rugged hills, and we were
not only entertained but instructed rs we'll
indeed we felt kindly glow toward those
men Of COW hide boots and ''fulled cloth"
pants and coat. Here we said are the sources
Of our nations strength AMI safety, and if
those fiery Eealots in Washington would just
come up to dozen Of these honest, clear.
headed, cool farmers they would get sOlu-
tiOn Of their troubles which they will be slow
to find there. Farmers are naturally reti-
cent, but underneath their scalps, Of ten rath-
er irowzy, you will generally and q good,
solid, well.formed brain; If they do not wear
white shirt fronts and "raised plaits" they
have hearts that beat as warm and true as
any class Of mon their beavers, when they
wear any, may be little old fashioned, just
like their integrity, buf some way they man.
age to keep their heads level. Yes, our
evening with those Hardwick farmers around
the Avenue House stove was we'll spent, and
we shall look for more to follow. We re.
member that the 6rst man Of whom we have
any authentic history began life as q gar
dener, and not having first rate success, he
was compelled to try farming on a larger
scale, aud succeeded most admirably. Just
like any sensible farmer he probably Joined
the grange and trained his family well, con-
siderlng the times. True, Cain proved an
unworthy son. but that is no more than the
sons of many who are not farmers have DONE
Farming is the oldest occupation, farmers
the most healthy, numerous, prosperous and
happy class in the world and so it will prove
to the end. We just wish they would not
eat as much pork and lard as some are in.
clined to use; make greater use Of beef, con-
sumo less doughnuts and mince pies and more
cheese and graham bread |; pay less for to-
bacco and more for books, papers, music,
pictures, etc., and these things are coming ;
in many farm house they are to be found
to-day. Give us the farmers yet.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-22
Vermin on Sheep.

DR.. j. y. V. Smith said that most Of the
preparations offered for ridding sheep of in-
,sects have oil for the basis, and he believed
that common oil or lard thoroughly rubbed
through the wool is as effective as any elab-
crate connection. The insects breathe through
minute ori6ces in their sides, aud any mat
ter which closes these destroys them ; grease
will accomplish this, hence his reasoning that
the wool we'll oiled will extermiuate ticks
Mr. Lawrence testified to the fact that
years ago before people had learned to util.
izs it with greater profit, cOndemned butter
was bought up at low figure and exported
to England for the purpose Of rubbing sheep,
whether for ticks or some other disease, he
was not able to affirm.
A member said that smeariug or salving
sheep is custom rarely practiced in thii
country, though common in Scotland and
other countries in cold, exposed positions
This salve is usually made of butter or grease
and tar, in proportions Of one part tar Il
twelve Of grease The salviug may be don'
any time after shearing, but is generally per
formed late in October. The object is Il
prevent vermln aud skin diseases, aud to fur
nish additional warmth to tho heeces o
breeds that are deficient in yolk. The mix
ture is not required for 6ne-woOled sheep
| Exchange. t ..H F
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-22

LIrTELLs LIVING AGE will begin the l32d volume
with the opening of the year. The Ago has boen
n success from the beginning and Is to-day Of the
few publications Of tho kind which every cultivated
person needs IL makes four good-sized volumes Of
over 500 pages each Its contents made up Of the
Of the foreign quarterlies, mOnthies and week
les that is 1t has the ablest essays and reviews the
choicest serial and short stories the most interesting
sketches Of travel and discovery the best poetry, and
the most valuable biographical, HISTORICAL scientific
and political information from the entire body Of for
oigu eriodical literature.
In its pages represented such eminent authors
rof Max Muller, Prof Tyndall, Rt Hon. W. E. Glad
stone, DIR. w. b. Carpenter, Prof Huxley, Richard
A. Proctor, Frances Power Cobbe, the Duke of Argyll,
James A. Froude, Mrs. 0liphant, Jean Ingelow, Geo
Macdonald, Auerbach, Ruskin, Carlyle, Tennyson
Browning, and many other leaders in science, felton,
history, biography philosophy poetry, theology, pol
tiles, eri tcism and art.
What has given us special pleasure has boon the is
sue in the Living Age Of every paper Of marked or
commanding interest abroad that wo have been able
TO get at the earliest possible moment the post st
recent and profound productions OF European scholars
and statesmen for very little expense.
The subscription price rs year. is cheap for tn g
amount Of reading furnished while for those desiring
the cream of both home and foreign literature, the
publishers make still cheaper offer, viz to send,
postpaid The Living Age and either one Of the Amor
loan 81 monthlies, weeklies, ayear for $1,000 With
the Living Age and other Of our leading Amer
lcan Monthles subsc riber will at small cost DO pu,
in command Of the whole situation"
An extra offer, also is made to all subscribsr
for 1877. viz to send them gratis the six numbers
1876 containing, besides other valuable reading thu
first instruments Of aud unusually powerful
serial story by George Mac Donald appearing in
| the Living Age from advance sheets.
! The volume begins January Ist, and enc
the periodical to the attention Of our readers. W,
know of no other way in which much Of the bes
work of the best minds of the time be obtained
oheaply aud conveniently through this STANDARD
weekly magazine. Published by Littell Gay, Bo
| ton Mass.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-22


have been frequently surprised to see
bow many well-to-do farmers neglect or re-
fuse to take some good newspaper for the
benefit Of themselves aud families. They
seem TO think they have no interest iu the
outside world; that thcy have to deal With
nothing except the land they pillow, the stock
they feed, the children they are raising in
ignorance. They forget that they are a part
Of the great human family, placed upon this
orb 10 work out the plans Of the Creator
and as such have no right to dam up the
stream of progress. The laws ofprogrsssion
are as unaterable as are any others in nature,
aud that man who impedes these laws with
an offspring Of uneducated children, commits
sin which reacts not only on himself, but
on his descendants for long years in the fu-
ture. Newspapers are made TO spread in
telligence and improve morals. To the far.
Iner above all men, they should be neces.
sity, from the fact that they afford him in
his isolated condition the only means of mix
ing in the busy scenes of life. Man in a
hermit state becomes a personi6cation of sell.
6shness-caring for nobody and nobody car
ing for him. Development comes along
from associatng with our fellow men, appro.
priating to ourselves the advancement which
they make. No farmer should be without
this social schooling, both for his own good
and that of the children. ln no other way
can he obtain it SO fully and so cheaply as
through the periodical literature; and he
who neglects to receive these advantages
deprives himself of light, and lives out his
days in worse than heather darkness.-Cor.
Country Gentlemen.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-22
Bitter Cream.

In winter season most housewives are lia-
bic to let their cream stand too long. Sec
what the Country Gentleman says on the
subject ..... ...
In summer there is little bitter milk or
cream, because the cream is churned sooner
than in winter, seldom reaching the third day
Sometimes, where there is q single COW kept,
have known the bitter to show on account
Of the small quantities Of cream accumulat-
ing. The summer practice is reversed in the
winter. There being too little cream to re-
quire frequent churning then-say one, and
sometimes two ohurnings a wesk-Ve &C.
count readily for the evils complained Of.
The forepart of the season, when milk is in
greater quantity necesSitAting more frequent
churning, heard Of but little complaint.
1t matters not how good tho feed is,-if tho
tenderest hay and roots be added, making
an approach TO summer feed ; nor how clean
the milk is kept, the most perfect milk il
set beyond three days will hurt. The writer
Of this has filed the vessel, leaving barely
space enough for cloth TO be stretched over
without touching the milk, aud snug lid
put on keeping the air out, but all TO no pur-
pose. So, in the purest air, in all the tenn
peratures, it is the same. .... rr..
1t is age that spoilS the cream; not only
does it make it bitter, but il destroys the fla
vor, giving it a rank disagreeable taste. The
sooner the cream is churned or used alter
the milk has stood forty-eight hours, the bet
ter. If there Is too little cream to churr
add the milk and churn that with it to givC
sufficient body TO work it. If the milk ha'
been kept 10 pure air, aud cleanliness OBJ
served throughout with the proper tsmpera
ture, about 6Os, there will not only be al
absence Of the bitter. rank taste, but gooC
quality Of butter will be produced