Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-02-09
Board Meeting in Peacham.

| Where we tound the board IN full t0rce on the
platform, enjoying the breath of spring as it
came on the wings OF our January thaw."
From this place to Barnet station, some nine
or ten miles, the ride was very pleasant.
At Barnet stages were in waiting for that
seven miles ride up over the hills and
valleys to Peacham, and more keen, jolly,
good-humored, wide.awake load you would
go far and search long to find. Perhaps the
fact that we were not in the regular coach
but in one improvised for the occasion which
had modest young man for driver who left
US to do the talking, had something to do
with our grave and digni6ed vivacity. Ev-
cry inviting farmhouse was noticed, and
there we're many; weather vanes which it
would be but little sin to worship, as they
feeby resembled anything in heaven or earth,
were commented on, jokes and bits of wis
dom we're thrown back and forth in promis-
cuous confusion till Peaeham's lovely heights
we're reached, where generous hearted hosts
were waiting to take us to their hospitable
homes. Even the stage driver entered into
the spirit of the occasion and carried us for
half.fare. Seldom have we enjoyed a more
pleasant winter ride in more thrifty and
inviting town in Vermont. No old, run
down buildings with gates swinging on one
hinge, and hali-fed cattle summing themselves
on the north side Of rickety barns were seen,
but everything was neat, orderly and indi-
cative of thrift.
AT two o'clock, the hour appointed, we
went to the hall in the basement of the con-
gregatonal church, where one of the most in
telligent, earnest, well-dressed and well-be-
haved audiences, which we have ever seen
in this or any other state, gathered. With
l. N. Watts as moderator, an opening ad-
dress of welcome was delivered by Prof. G.
A. Bunker Of the academy, who spoke Of
the Importance of such gatherings as this in
which the theoretical in agriculture--as
represented by the board-comes face
to face with practical agriculture
as represented by the farmers themselves.
He emphasized the value Of these face to
face discussions. He also showed that the
state must provide the men and the
means for the proper presentation Of
the theoretical side of agriculture to the
farmers who have neither the ability nor the
means Of doing it. 1t was capital poiut,
and if any who oppose the board could have
heard Prof. Bunker, they would have seen
the need of such work as the board is
performing He also spoke of the reaction
of the western fever on so many Of our
young men, as it had resulted in destroying
the economical equilibrium of the country.
These sons of New England have crowded
out those of less skill and talent, and this
latter class have become our tramps, the So
cial nuisance Of the day, Altogether it was
a very fine address.
Jonathan Lawrence, our neighbor of Pas.
sumpsc and the "original granger" " of New
England, read an excellent paper on "Graiu
Raising in Vermont shall it be aban1 1oned ??
which we hope to publish. The discussion
was very animated, with a strong leaning
towards the growth of more grain than at
present. 1t also came out that the Peacham
farmers had pretty clear ideas of successful
farming, and most of them know how to
raise their own wheat and not depend on
"barrel -four"
Hiram A. Cutting, A. NJ, of Luncnburg,
gave paper on the "Rain-fall in Yerm ont. "
The rainfall decreases as we go north though
the number of rainy days is greater. In
Europe the rainfall averages 80 inches per
annum, while in Vermont it is about 40
inches In Orleans county it is Al about
TAetford it is 40; near the Massachusetts
line it is AZ inches; in the central part oi
the state it is 80, while in Burlington and
south along the lake it is hardly over 3S
inches. BY rainfall he meant snow aud
rain together Cutting off forests has had a
very important influence on the rainfall, so
that the storms are more irregular and se'
we're at times. The old conditions of the
Indian summer that season of fair beautiful
weather, no longer exists as the area oI
leaves holding the moisture down to the
earth by tho dry autumn foliage has beer
sadly curtailed, and now we are as liable "a
storms in this as at any other season. lie
gave full and elaborate bases on which the
weather probabilities may be predicted. Tht
chickweed is one of the best weather indica.
tors. II it is closed in the morning and re.
mains 50, storm may be expected if it i
open, full and remains thus some days
a long time of fair weather may be expected.
His explanation Of the signal service bureau
. operations showed how valuable service il
has rendered to the agricultural and com.
mercial interests Of the country.
THURSDAY EVENING
The house was well filled at the appointed
hour and there was spirit Of enthusiasm
which was very gratifying to behold and verl
inspiring to a speaker. Prof, Noah Cresse.
spoke on Veterinary Science. The grea
majority Of lameness in horses belongs Il
, either legs or feet. If horse steps short
and carefully, the difficulty is from inAam
J nation of the shuttle bone. The middl
: finger fairly represents the foot of the horse
: the knee corresponds to the human wrist
9 The human hand has two sets of muscles
: one to extend and the other to bend or hoo
: up the finger, and the leg and foot Of tn
= horse is the same. When inaamed, the shut
te-bone is dry and irritates the muscles a
0 they move over it hence the horse bends u
:, his heel and stands on his toe. The onl
remedy is prolonged rest, and this should !
o either in a moist pasture or in stable wheI
o the stall is we'll bedded with moist earth Sc,
M | al innhna In hnnth % thnt thn knran IN