Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-09-03
agricultural department.
JOHN JonNsTON's FARMING.

whose name is household word and
synonym for success in agricultural life.
We make some extracts from the letter,
which relate to practical matters.
Mr.. Johnston, in relating his expe-
rience, said: IL am upwards of eighty
seven years old; 1 have just given up
my farm, on which / had lived since
1912. purchased it soon after reach
ing this country from Scotland. The
country was new, and the farm l bought
was not thought to be valuable. The
crops which it grew were very light, and
people said 1 never could pay for it.
But did. 1t was fortunate for me
that had learned in the old country
the value of manure and how to apply
it. 1t was fortunate, also, that under
stood the advantage of draining, for J
soon found that was the first great want
of my farm. sent to Scotland for
samples of tiles, and had them made
here. My improvements through drain
ing attracted much attention"
He continued: III drained my farm,
as rapidly as could meet the expense,
and applied all the manure could
make. 1 grew some splendid crops.
There is too little manure made i'll this
country. Our farmers must learn to
use more manure. Draining, manure
and clean culture are what will make
good farms and produce profitable crops. :"
what has been your system of farm
ing? What crops have you grown prin-
cipally ?"
Wheat has been my main depend
ence, but 1 have grown good crops of
corn. 1t is very profitable crop. The
stalks make excellent feed for any kind
of stock. My wife always thought she
could make better butter from cows fed
on stocks than from those kept on hay.
My farm was grain farm and | have
wintered good deal of stock. feeding
up my stalks, hay and grain, and work.
ing my large product of straw into man
ure."
"What was your average yield of
wheat? p
Excepting two seasons when my
crops were destroyed by hail, my wheat
has averaged about thirty bushels to the
acre. The best crop l ever raised was
AZ IL bushels to the acre from Ga acres.
have several times raised an average
of 40 bushels.
81 wanted my lands clean and rich,
and pure seed. found there was much
chess on my farm when took it, and il
those days many good farmers really
believed that wheat turned to chess.
frequently had spirited arguments will
! those who strongly maintained the ride
: ulous theory that wheat will become
f chess. remember meeting one farme
. who firmly believed that oats evel
o wonld turn to chess. So much IVA
q this question discussed that our Stat
I Agricultural Society appointed a com
ittee to make thorough investigator
and experiment. This impartial CON
mittee gave its verdict, and in our sec
; tiOn of the State the question was prett
5 thoroughly settled"
"In your effort to increase your SUI
d ply of manure have you used commeI
Il cial fertilizers ?"
e "Yes, l have tried them. but in mos
d cases have failed to receive benefit.
" have used several tons of guano, an
y have sometimes found quite satisfaction
II results, but at other times could see I
It effects from applying il"
l. "You have always found good r
g suits from barnyard manure ?"
e always. That is the standby, IL
IS sure reliance; but it would be graz
Ut thing for our farming interests if '
'r could apply chemical fertilizers wi
$. profit. hope we shall find what '
is need. 1 applied some on my whe
last fall, leaving strip without an
he When 1 left the farm, April lst, cou
y see no difference. But that land is We
st rich"
III "But you say you know how to app
" manure, for you learned in Scotlar
u What was your practice %
al always apply manure sevel
CT months before l pillow the land. Inner
h quantities are wasted every year
en- blowing it in just before putting in I
III crops. On this point my friend Jose
Harris could Lot agree with me.
ch believes in applying manure immedia
ICE ly before the crops. pile my NAM
an in the spring, and in the fall put it
n land which intend to pillow for c,
of the following spring. One great obj
ON 1 have had in piling my manure was
a destroy all weed seeds. If the man
the is handled enough all seeds will be
or stroyed."
cd. "YOu have told me what you cons
cred a good average crop of wheat. I
much corn did you get to the acre %
49, "a few years ago l kept accurate
- count of my crop, and had 1877 busE
IL of ears 40 pounds to the busheD
acre. This was an excellent eror