davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04
Politics in Farming.

Nothing is more absurd than the excite
ment which prevails about election times in
in regard the choice OF rulers; and when II
is all over, even those who have taken an &c.
tive part in these excitements wonder what
it all means
In the south We see particularly how ride.
ulous is the regard which people have for
politics. Whether A or b shall rule is Of
ten regarded as more important than the reg
ular pursuit Of life, liberty or happiness; /;
indeed, it is more than likely that the shrewd
politician has thoroughly imbued bis dupcs
With the impression that uRless A gets in
aud b gets defeated there is no happiness,
aud life and liberty n not worth having.
This sort Of feeling predominatiug, the south
is entirely crippled. A large proportion of
the time and means Of the southern people
are wasted in these pursuits, and we see and
deplore the results.
But though not perhaps so bad in the
north as in tho south, "pOlitcs" is a bad
disease even here, and ranks with the
grasshopper, the murrain, the hog
cholera and various other plaques in
keeping the farmer-as we'll as other classes
poor.
No one should ignore politics in the prop
or sense OF the word. There are scores of
public questions which affect the interest of
the cultivator Of the soil, and which il is his
interest TO understand and to act on wisely
when election time comes round but in
nine-tenths of the issues made at most cleo
tions there is nothing whatever involved that
SO materially concerns his interests as to
make it the exciting struggle it often proves
to be. 1t may be that the country or the
districts in the country are better under dem
ocratic or under republican rulers, in 30 far
as the principles Of these different parties
are concerned; but the main road to pros
perity lies more in ones individual industry
and business capacity, than in the abstract
principles of political rulers. If the rulers
be honest men. it may still be better in ad-
dition that they be of the opinion We think
best for the whole country. But what il
they are mott Why should we act as if all
were lost The spring will come. We can
plant and sow, we can cultivate aud care for
the crops, we can harvest our grain and
| onthar nur fruita and thouoh our mn II a ..
may perhaps not be quite as good, our taxes
be little more, our public works little
less remunerative than we think they would
are if our views were followed, it will not b.
so very bad for the industrious man.
Let us be thankful that our excitement i,
about over, and let US lie down to our farm
work like sensible men.--German ntoton Tel
eqraph.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04
Farming in New England.

1t seems to be the general remark that the
New England states are preparing for their
seasons work in earnest determination 10 do
something to stop the leak which is going on
In our foraging department 1t is said that
the state of Maine alone is annually buying
three millions of bushels OF corn at cost Of
two and half millions Of dollars, and about
the same figures fol- -four in addition to her
own production. 1t would seem from this
that our state was fast going to the dogs.
Now it is proposed to raise this surplus at
home by an increased acreage and a better
system of husbandry, and the whole question
lies 10 one word--manure, and its application
to the soil. AT a recent meeting Of the
Maine board Of agriculture it was stated that
Maine had larger record Of corn and wheat
per acre than the west. Well, this is mol
surprising, as the western farmer uses no ma
nure be is only limited to the number o.
acres he is able to plow, while for US Il
plant or SOW without manure would be sim
pie folly. Thus We are limited to just wha
we can manure we'll. Twenty cords to th,
acre of good barnyard manure is the stand
ard for most agricultural writers. Butwher
have so much hungry soil l prefer to dis
tribute this amount over two acres. l cal
raise good satisfactory crops Of corn to to-
cords Of manure; but wheat requires Iii
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04
Special Fertilizers.

II is sometimes the case that special ma
nures do not seem to answer the purpose for
which they arc designed. Although made
after approved formulas they are not salts
factory to the buyer and reflect no credit on
the manufacturer. To many farmers this
fact seems to be abundant proof that the
whole theory Of special fertilizers is radically
wrong and that no reliance can be placed
upon them. But in this we think they judge
too harshly. They forget tho very impor-
tant fact that fertilizers should not only be
adapted to the crops which are TO be grown
but also to the soils to which they are ap-
piled. We are confident that the special
fertilizer theory is correct as far as it goes.
If we are TO raise corn we ought to furnish
the land with Just those materials which corn
takes from the soil while if wheat is grown
we need q very different kind Of fertilizer be-
cause wheat takes the elements Of fertility
from the land in different proportions from
the corn crop. So far SO good. But it
should be kept in mind that soils vary as
we'll as crops and that fertilizer which under
certain circumstances is just adapted to a
certain crop will, under other conditions,
prove imperfect. Some soils contain large
quantities Of vegetable matter aud are very
deficient in mineral elements, while others
contain the mineral matters to excess aud a :e
deficient in other respects. Now it is evi-
dent that manure which is just suited tc
produce a good crop Of corn 10 one Of these
kinds of soil will not be just right for the
other kind. One kind Of land will need the
application Of mineral elements almost to
exclusion of the vegetable, while others,
which already contain large quantity oi
mineral matter, require the addition of some
thing Totally different. So, let no one be
discouraged if his experiments with special
fertilizers do not, at first, prove all which
he desires. The fertilizer may be all right
for the crop but not adapted to the soil.
Whether this is the case or not can be de.
termiucd by experiment and if it be found to
be the cause OF the failure the mixture can
be modified for succeeding crops. We be-
lieve there is such thing as furnishing both
crops and soils with just the elements they
require and without the admixture Of large
quantities of useless materially E. Home
stead.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04
Digging Wells Deeper.

In some districts there is probably no rem
edy for dry or empty wells, especially where
water is found Just upon or above granite or
rock foundation. When the usual supply is
exhausted. there is no other recourse but to
wait for the influx of water from heavy falls
of rain. Such cases, however, are exception
al, and in most localities tho simple remedy
for lack or scarcity Of water is to deepen the
wells. BY digging down to water in a time
Of drought, never-failing supply is usually
secured--ln fact it is almost impracticabe
to obtain it at any other time, as an excess
OF it prevents going to a sufficient depth.
The easiest method with which We are ac-
quainted for reaching water in well already
dug but dry, says the Portland Press, is to
sink barrel or hogshead its entire length
at the bottom Of the we'll This barrel or
hogshead should be made of ASA or oak, well
hooped and without heads, and Of such diam
eter as to allow easy descent inside OF the
bricks or stones OF which tho we'll is made
Tho earth and water can be removed in the
ordinary way, and as the amount will not be
large, without the use Of the more expensive
methods required in digging well from the
beginning. 40
The bottom of a well will not be found to
be the coldest and most uncomfortable place
10 the world at this season of the year, aud
we presume the entire job can be done with
less risk and suffering than is incurred il
some morning tramp to a distant stream with
a drove of farm stock. Wnile We recon,
mend and prefer this way on account of its
economy and simplicity, aud because it Sc
cures a present and future supply Of water,
we also advise as a temporary expedent the
substitution Of the iron pipej used in the drive
well system. These may be very readily
driven down in dry well to the necessary
depth aud connected with pump, aud sub
sequently upon the return Of high water arr
easily removed. We trust that uone Of ou
readers will be guilty Of abusing themselve
or their animals by unnecessary exposure tc
the cold in search OF water. Ii practicable
they should without delay test the plan
suggested, or any others that their ingenuity
may devise.-GermantOtoA telegraph.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04
CnrrfspnnGeafF.
Small Potatoes for Seed.

In the last number of the FARMER this
question raised by Mr.. Averil and answered
by Mr.. Hubbard is On important one now
that the price of this esculent rules so very
high that every tuber should be made to
serve the purpose for which it is best adapt
ed. So | will give 10 my testimony by way
of "experience."
More than 80 years ago while living in
Connecticut river town, plowed up a
small piece of pasture laud quito late in the
season, upon which flock of sheep!had made
1t their custom to take nights lodging. The
land was planted with the smallest potatoes
to be found in the celar-the largest, if l
remember, no larger than a hens egg-and
down to half that size The result was as
fine crop of good sized potatoes as | ever
raised. This success inspired me with the
belief that small seed was quite as good as
large. The next year another small field
was planted with small seed but the crop
was hOV uu'O SO hOoFJi hN tho buuOiS Se
large as in the former case, owing, partly al
least, to the land being poorer. At Other
times for a single year, or two, small seed
has been used without apparently diminish
ing the crop.
For several consecutive years after re'
moving to this town the experiment wa
tried of planting only small potatoes; ant
l have come to this conclusion, that tho crop
will not sensibly diminish for year or two
but if the practice is continued it will de-
cline and finally "run out" Large and me
dium sized tubers are now used and believe,
to be the best practice in the long run, Gu
up as is the practice Of Mr.. Hubbard.
s. Il. q.
WiimiaGtoA. AprH 30.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04

In conclusion want TO say, when you 60
into your orchard to pruno don't try to sec
how much yon can take of from each tree.
But, on the other hand, see how much you
can leave on without deiriment to tho tree !;
aud don't cut an otherwise useful limb be-
cause tho head is little out of balance.
Time will usually correct that. Aud don't
try to make the heads Of all all varieties
equally open, If q tree is naturally dense
let IL be dense still. Don't try to make the
head of Red Astrachan like King Of
Tompkins County, nor reduce the number
Of branches in Northern Spy to as few as
the st. Lawrence naturally carries For
whom the bearing stage comes the weight Of
fruit opens them out, and by the foliage you
have retained you have gained the larger
amount of bearing wood.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04

tie more, and in all cases il should be worked
deep into the ground and tho laOd cultivated
level 10 guard against drought. Theory sug-
gests thimbloiul Of formulated phosphate
10 the square yard Of earth, but practice re-
quired shovelful Of we'll rotted manure to
the hill. Again, we are told that every car
that brings load Of corn into the state
should be sent back loaded with our nice
Maine grown apples. This is beautiful the
ory on paper. but let us apply It to practice.
Not one busbel Of apples was raised in Frank
lin county the past season the cattrpilars
took every green leaf; the trees put out
second growth of leaves but no fruit or.
chards that formerly yielded thousand
bushels yearly, the proprietor was buying
western apples at one dollar per barrel, while
my apples are rOtting in the cellar for want
Of forty cents per bushel. Good orchard
land is worth more to cut down the trees and
put it in to grass.
And now wo are told that we must not
raise potatoes beyond our own use, as It im.
povorishes the land yet we are selling po-
tatoes at one dollar bushel and buying corn
for sixty-6ve cents, aud every farmer knows
the same labor, land and manure that it takes
to raise one bushel of corn will raise four
bushels of potatoes. Ono barrel salt per
acre should be applied broadcast to all corn
and wheat land. Soak seed corn in chloride
Of lime and copperas and no crows or worms
will touch it, besides Fastening its vegota-
tion several days. While would plant and
cultivate corn land to secure moisture, the
last hoeing it should receive good hilliug
up which causes it to throw out new set Of
roots which serve both as feeders aud to re-
gain an upright position when prostrated by
winds or rain but while We can raise corn
at ity cents per bushel in any part of Maine
undoubtedly around our cities there is more
money in market gardening and root crops
Sea-weed and marine manure is the best for
cabbages Where this cannot be obtained,
salt stould be worked into the manure. AL.
ways plant cabbages on green sward land !;
the object should be to get the manure deep
into the ground to secure moisture in dry
weather. To this end hole the land deep
manure in the hill and cover it deep
before planting the seed plant seed enough,
SO that several plants shall come, but in no
case ever leave but one plant in hill to
grow. Five thousand cabbagcs can easily be
grown to average ten pounds, which always
bring at least one cent per pound. But
stock and grass are and always must be our
main dependence. We have our Ayrshires
for our city milk farms aud cheese factories !;
cur Jerseys for our butter dairies; and our
Herefords and Devons for beef and labor
aud our different breeds Of sheep for our
lambs, mutton and WOOL As for horses We
send out few extra steppers, but our heavy
team horses are brought by the car load from
the west and Cauada.-Mai,le cor. German
tOiOa Telegraph.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04

The Flow OF SAP IN MAPLE TREEs.-
Some time ago the Amherst Agricultural
College made up its mind that the maple
sap from which sugar was made in Che
spring was laid up in the tree the year be-
fore. In order to find out if this was true,
a maple tree, one December, having been
guyed 50 as to keep it upright, was sawed
off near the ground and the end of the trunk
hermetically sealed with wax. Thus the
tree stood until spring, when it was tapped
and yielded its average amount of sugar,
although the tree had been severed from its
roots upwards of three months. A young
maple was cut in the winter, brought into
the greenhouse and tapped. 1t soon began
to flow sap, aud continued to do SO for thirty
six hours, when the flow stopped. The tree
was then taken out of doors aud allowed to
freeze again. Upon being brought back to
the greenhouse, the sap resumed its flow,
and continued to do SO as long as the alter
nate freezing and thawiug processes were
kept up.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04
Heavy Farm Tools.

While the English agricultural papers arc
making much fun Of our "slipshod" ways Of
farming and the Temporary" character of
our farm tools and farm-buildings, our tool
makers and implement manufactures are get
ting all the best trade OF the world. Under
the idea that they are doing things we'll, our
English friends make things of enormous
weight aud strength, in cases where weight
and strength are of no possible consequence,
and this idea of solidity they carry with
them through almost everything they do.
Of course whero these characters are es-
genital to the objects one has in view, they
constitute an important part in the idea of
doing well, but it is very far from being
we'll when that weight interferes with the
work.
In the regular English department of the
centennial in agricultural hall, there was
little exhibited; but in Other parts Of the
grounds here and there were English tools
and English implements, strong and sub
stantial enough, but no manner Of use fol
immediate work on hand. 1t takes two
horses to pull cart or machine that one oI
ours would easily pull. One has to pull hi
legs after him with a pair of English bOoti
on him instead of walking as men were in
tended to do. An EogIish house is built t.
last so that scores who come after the build
er, aud who will perhaps never bear hi
name, may live 10 it.
This is the idea they have Of excellence,
and it is generally what they mean by doing
things we'll. There Is very much of ten
dency among our people to scout our stem
porary" way of doing things, and to keep u
a praise of the "gOod old Englich way" an
it is because Of this tendency that We pei
this article. Of coarse some things are don
too lightly, but il We take the whole ten
dency Of American work as u whole, ant
the English work as whole, the American
as better suited to the end to bc accom-
plished, is far superior to the English.
1t is because we have steadily kept thi
In view, leaving our English friends 10 laug
at US If they will, that our machines and in
plements are now in demand all over til
world. Russia is taking thousands of OF
plOEs since our centennial exhibit, and soil
ly on account Of their superior lightness
AAd 50 il is with other things. TTt
just now there is quite a fitrOre in regal
to the introduction Of heavy Norman horse
Their size and strength are their great q
traction. Even premiums are offered &
them at fairs, and heavy prices are ask
for them by those who have them to Sc
There are some few cases where they are
service Of course, but for the all.Work 50
of tasks required Of horses on farms, d
lighter horses we already have are far 5
periOr. There is no objection 10 these SOL
of things as fancy stocks; but they are Q
likely to be improvements on what We m
2 distinctively call American Institutions,
4 GermaNtOlon Telegrahh.
.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04

So FAR as our observation goes We agree
with Mr.. Chamberlain of Wilmington, who
writes in another column, concerning the use
Of small potatoes for seed. We believe
that the use of small potatoes for one or two
seasons will be likely to have no perceptible
influence, one way or the other, with the
crop; but if it is kept up for q term Of
years, it will In most cases be to the detri.
ment of the crop, both in quantity, size, and
quality. II is probable that by a careful
selection Of the largest and best tubers for
seed, year after year, the crop may be more
nearly kept up to its pristine standard and
choice varieties kept FROM "runuing out" for
at least longer time than If the opposite
course is pursued. We shall be glad to hear
from others upon this subject.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04

1t is fact that in nearly every instance
our agricultural societies are financially in
want, and most of them have abandoned their
spring exhibitions, which generally are of but
little consequence. These troubles arise al
together from the extravagant premiums
awarded generally, but especially in
the "trials of speed.' And the only remedy
for them is to abandon money premiums, and
adopt the system which prevailed at the
Centennial exhibition and which proved SO
successful. All exhibitors, whose feelings
are interested in the promotion Of agriculture
should be proud to exhibit their success, and
receive an award of recognition for merit.
If any shall withhold their contributions on
the ground that they will not be paid for
showing let them do SO, the society can well
do without them but if there should be not
enough whole.souled farmers in country or
district to sustain as it ought to be an annual
exhibition in their midst on these proper
principles, it will be high time to abandon
them altogether.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04

In ANSWER to letters requesting informa-
tion about the lands advertised for sale by
the state of Maine in AroostOok county in
that state, we would say that Aroostook
county comprises the northeastern portion Of
the state, covering about 5000 square miles
1t is drained by the St. Johns river and its
tributaries, aud the soil in the valleys !,
said to be very fertile, wheat being raised
extensively. The population is about
81, 900, and the settlements are in the south
ern part Of the county. OF tho nature ot
the lands offered for sale we know nothing,
but inquiries addressed to Hon. 4. Q. Bur
leigh, Of Augusta, Me-, the state land agent
will doubtless bC promptly attended to and
all desired information given. H.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04

GRAPES may still be set The first year
grow but single shoot, aud keep it tied up.
The caterpillar which folds the leaves Of the
developing shoot, can ouly be managed by
hand. picking, though it really does less dam
age than is supposed, as it stops the prolon-
cation of the shoot just where those who
follow close training would do it. The most
troublesome of the early insects on the vine
is the Rosebug, which appears at blOssoming
time, making sad havoc. There is no remedy
but catching and killing; in early morning
they may be shaken of and caught in pan
or cup in which is some water, to prevent
flying. Whenever the first signs of mildew
appear-grayish spots on the under side Of
the leai-use the sulphur-bellows. Each
shoot sets three, or two, branches market
growers claim that il pays in extra size aud
quality TO remove all but One.-AmericaR
AqricnlturiSt.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04
FARM FOR SALE.

TIME undersigned offers for sale the farm Of Sam
Il uel Drown Westmore six miles from Barton
village Said farm consists Of So acres Of the best
Of land good Cedar swamp and splendid lot Of Spruce
timber There is timber enough on the farm 10 more
than pay for It, A good house and barn with running
water to both VIII cut twenty tons Of the bcst ofhay
will sell with the farm good COW, and twoyear-
olds, yearng heifer good work horse. harness,
one-horse wagon, traverse sled, and all tho farming
tools Price for m stock aud tools, thirteen hundred
dollars one-half down. the remainder TO remain on
MORTGAGE IL desired For further particulars apply al
once 10 III. C' LUCAS,
st. Johnsbury, VI.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04

Few of our domestic animals care more
for their liberty than sheep. They do not
thrive if closely confined and when shut up
in close pens seem to have little enjoyment
in life. But when, after being kept all win
ter, they are turned out in spring, their joy
knows no bounds. This fact is an indication
that in order to get as large return as possi-
bic from sheep we should give them more
liberty than they usually have in the winter.
For it is well known that animals do so much
better when they are comfortable and con-
tented than they do when they are dissatis-
fed with their surroundings. Not only
should sheep be allowed to run in the yard
every day, but early in the spring, when the
snow is gone, they should in fair weather be
turned into the field for few hours in the
middle Of the day. 1t will do them good tC
run on the ground and they will get little
grass to eat about as soon as it begins Il
grow. Both sheep aud lambs will enjoy il
and for this reason il for no other, will d.
much better than they will if kept at thu
barn until time to turn them out for the sum
mer. We do not, however, believe in allow
them to run in the moving lots but woulc
keep them in the pastures. They can ge
about as much benefit from the pastures anC
will do much less injury there than they will
in the mowing-N. e. Homestead.