The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-02-24
Agricultural Department..
CONDUCTED BY ALBERT CHAPMAN
Meeting ofthe Vermont state Board o.
Agriculture at Woodsto ok, Thursday
and Friday, Feb. 8 and o, 1877.

E. NJ. Goodwin, Esq, of Hartland,
was elected to preside over the meet
ipgs.
An opening address of welcome was
given by DR.. Henry Boynton, Of Wood
stock.
There are many thoughts that should
occupy the minds of farmers of this day.
We have just listened to the departing
footsteps of the last century of our ma
toms existence, aud witnessed the adj
vent of new one. The farmers of to-
day should think of the great improve
ments that have been inaugurated dur
ing the last century, when contrasted
with the dearth of refining and comfort
giving homes, and intelligence inspiring
ddornments in the homes of our fore.
fathers.
Look at the comfortable homes OF
the farmers of this day, with all their
culture and adornments, suggesting and
urging to improvement and growth in
Intellectual stature. Vermont has
achieved much during the last of the
past century to improve her stock OF
horses, sheep and cattle. OF her success
In this respect she may well feel proud
Our friends of Pomfret have learned
how to extract the last globule of gold
ell gilt-edged butter from the milk OF
their fine herds of Jerseys. 1t would be
well for our farmers to consider how
they may arise to their proper influence
in controlling matters of legislation
vitality affecting their interests; this they
must do if they will retain their institu-
lions In their purity, and so control
their working, that they shall be con-
trolled for our good. 1t belongs to you
to take such an interest in public affairs
as shall enable you to secure your rights
and not keep you the servants of large
monopolizing corporations, so that SO
large portion of the productions OF
your industry shall not go to build up and
enrich those that are acting the part OF
the buzzard in consuming your sub
stance. A glorious future is in store
for Vermont if she awakes to the re-
sponsibilities and possibilities for great
ness, and does her whole duty in de-
ve.oping her resources.
The first paper was read by Mr.. John
A. Shedd of Pomfret, upon "Farmers
Gardens" 1t is not 50 clear why farm
ers gardens should DO so sadly neglect
ed. The vegetable, fruit and flower
The soil for the garden should be loan,
not be any fences to mako nests to en-
courage weeds. The ground should be
well enriched with well rotted manure.
All vegetables sh Juld be cultivated in
rows. Vines, like squashes, melons,
and cucumbers, do best on green swards.
A peck of good old compost or well rot
ted manure well incorporated with the
soil, is always desirable. in cultivating
squashes and melons not more than two
of either should be allowed to grow on
each vine.
Judge Miller of Pomfret asked wheth-
er celery could be probably grown in
this region.
Mr.. Mead of the Board said that it is
raised very successfully in Rutland, ac-
eording to the old method. A gentle
man considered it as easy to raise as let-
tuce. He sowed for early about the
sane time as he did tomatoes; dug a
trench, then filled up constantly until
the stalk was long and crisp. The
speaker thought one of the greatest Sc
crets in gardening was to have the land
prepared in the fall and get the seed in
very early.
Mr.. Shedd thought it was best to plow
in the spring.
Mr.. Byron Ruggles of Hartland read
paper upon the "Value of Muck as
Fertilizer
He thinks that muck direct from the
bed is too cold and sour to be of i'm
mediate benefit to land.
But where it lies and is exposed for
some months it is valuable top dress
ing. The greatest value of muck is as
an absorb mt and extend to the manure
pile. Where there has been at least two
loads of muck composted with one load
OF manure the value of the whole, load
for load, he thought at least equal to
manure.
He had used 1t as top dressing on
meadow land with excellent results. lie
considers it a great fertilizer, and that il
works partly as mulch as well.
Mr.. Fassett thought the muck describ-
ed contained large per cent. of potash.
MIR. Ruggles described the way he had
dug down and found roots from stumps
running through great logs at great
depth.
Mr.. Stafford of Queechy gave SINH
lar account of large pine logs he had
found when undertaking a swamp.
Scare of Young Stock" was the title
of paper read by c. G. Buck of Wood
stock.
Young stock should be kept growing,
and not allowed to get low in condition
wasting great deal of time in getting
them growing again.
Properly cared for and fed, Young
stock could and should be kept grow
ing during the winter, as well as in sum-
mer.
Bran Is an excellent feed for young
growing stock. Corn meal moderately
I'd was good and excellent, as well as
RIOTS also. Several examples of grow
Ing stock 10 profit at Young age were
g ven, that proved that it is more profit
abe to grow flesh on young than on
an old animal.
MIR. Hubbard thought that all Young
stock should be kept comfortable and
dry. But if we are raising a calf for
cow, II Is better not to force too much.
II for beef it is most profitable to feed
all the Young animal can assimilate
to grow it to maturity, or get it fit for
market at as early an age as possible.
Mr.. Buck had found that it proved
better to let the calf stay on the COW fc
three or four DAYS instead of taking it
from the COW before it had sucked.
Mr.. English gave an account of Iear1-
ing a calf to drink, BY letting il suck a
part of the milk for some time, feeding
part and learning il to drink gradually
Dir. Walker thought it imporsa It tina,
stock should be treated gently as well
~ made comfortable.
Judge Miller of Pomfret thought all
these points of comfort and gentleness
We're good ones to attend to, and tina
we also ought to try 10 get good breeds.
Mr.. Fas.ett thought we should keep the
young animals growing, but should not
force them too much, but be longer de
veloping their growth.
Mr.. Walker thought great deal of
stock that was fed enough was not fed
judicionsly, and therefore the feed did
not give as good results and the stock
did not return as good profits as they
would with better system of feeding.
Mr. Rupoles Thought that sonr mill