Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-20
Neglected Resources of the Farm.

Much is said, and not without reason, on
the wastes ofthe farm; sometimes the wastes
make all the difference between profit and
loss. The gains of the farmer are small at
best they are usually made up Of small
items, so that, unless constant care is taken
and the strictest economy practised, there is
danger of waste and loss. don't 60 so far
as to say that the soap-suds made on washing
day should 60 into the swill barrel, as was
the custom in one instance within my knowl-
edge, though even this might have had its
use as an aterant in the system of an animal
which deals so much in dirt as the hog A
moments thought will satisfy all that in the
multi(arous operations of the farm there are
opportunities for small wastes. Take the
wood lot for instance, from neglect to save
the decaying wood, 10 its consumption from
unnecessary fires the care Of milk and
cream, the feeding of hay and grain, the
maintenance of Improbable stock, and the
saving of manure.
Closely allied to these little wastes are
neglected resources of the farm. For in
stance, portion of my own farm might
easily be turned into a cranberry meadow,
and made source Of profit, while now it
produces nothing but a scanty crop OF unnu-
tritious feed. Another may own bed OF
muck lying useless which might bc used In
enriching his farm. Still another may be
the possessor of warm bank, which turned
to proper account in the raising Of fruits and
vegetables, would add materially to the in
come of the farm. Even whortleberry pas
ture may be so situated as, under proper
treatment, to be a source Of revenue. Tree
planting presents much neglected resource.
and whether we view it in the light Of its
health. giving influence or in protection to
fruits and plants, or a shield from sudden
changes and high winds, it is worthy Of more
| attention. Few farms but contain more or
less acres Of waste land, either an old hill
side, so cut up with gulies as to be no long
er arabic, or some sandy plain, which, from
its easy cultivation, has become completely
exhausted, or some field SO remote and in
accessible as to be Improbable for cropping.
Let these neglected places be devoted to the
growth Of wood. of such kinds as are most
available aud OF finest growth. There is no
doubt that money judiciously expended in
this way will yield greater profit than when
deposited iu the savings bank, while the Sc
curity is so much BETTER for the earth does
not run away with your planted trees, she Is
no defaulter aud her dividends are as sure as
the seasons. An exceedingly interesting dis
cussion of this question of tree planting took
place two years since, during the meeting of
the state board of agriculture at llaverhill.
Some very important facts were stated, Affect
ing the health and comfort of large numbers
in the community. Mr.. Emerson told us that
trees purified the atmosphere, and quoted in-
stances where districts. hitherto unhealthy,
had become perfectly salubrious and sweet
by the cultivation of forests. Mr.. Saltonstall
said that seventeen years ago he was hving
where he was much exposed to high Winds
His children suffered with Group and other
throat diseases though he never supposed
that his exposed situation had anything to
do with it, He began planting his trees
about that time, and sincehe has had their pro-
lection no case of Group has occurred in the
house, though there are still young children
living 10 it. As TO the use Of forests in re-
storing fertility to the soil aud the preven.
tion Of drought, by equalizing the rainfall,
the evidence is abundant. In conclusion,
don't let our universal hurry after results
prevent any one from doing at least some
thing in this way now. Ten years since set
out few white pine as a screen to my barn.
They we're no larger than two could lift into
wagon, with heavy sod OF earth around
each one. They already answer completely
the purpose for which they we're planted,
nearly equalling in height the barn itself.
Plant trees then they will he growing while
you are seeping-COr. American CGLtirat