The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-03-10

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into our own.
Mr.. Chapman would give his testimo-
ny on the side ofthe last speaker. Many
iarmcr's ions were going west, their
I'D homes were being absorbed by for
,igners without capital, who were pay
ng for those homes from the proceeds
IT farming upon them, while many OF
he young men were coming back, not
ucceeding at the west.
Prof. Seely, while he would not fence
Vermont around to keep all her SONS AZ
lome, would insist that Vermont had
states, that should not be sighted, He
iad great confidence in Vermont soils,
md also that the capabilities of that soil
should be developed, for he believed
Vermont farmers were not receiving
nalf the returns from her soils that they
were capable of producing.
An address upon doubling the
Products of the Farm" was then deliv-
cred by Prof. Seely, after which Mr.. j.
Il. Mead ofthe Board read a paper upon
Grass Culture"
After this paper was read the meeting
adjourned for dinner.
Friday afternoon the meeting opened
with q discussion upon the "Grass
Crop"
Mr.. Mead said he was convinced that
plaster would have an excellent effect
upon grass crops upon dry lands. He
also thought it best to raise the money
10 buy grain through grass culture, than
TO raise grain itself.
Mr.. Hill, Of Elmore, had found he
could not keep up the fertility OF his
meadows by. top-dressing alone, was
obliged to plow and rc-seed OCCASION
ally. He had used ashes with varying
results. Sometimes he thought they had
Injured his lands.
Judge Jones gave his experience in
using ashes; oil some of his lands they
were worth nothing, but on other paris
OF his farm they had proved very e1ica-
cious in largely increasing his crops.
Mr.. Chapman gave an account OF
what he had learned at Brookfeld. One
part of that town used ashes with excel
lent effect, purchasing them ten or
twelve miles from home, aud paving In
sumo instances over thirty cents Der
bushel, while i'll another part OF the
town the ashes gave no results of prac-
tical value. He had found ashes ali ex-
celleDt fertilizer for beets, thought a lib
eral application of them in the drills
very profitable.
Prof. Seely explained the action OF
plaster. First, as Il fertilizer supplying
needed plant food; second, as an ab-
sorbent retaining ammonia; third, as Il
chemical agent producing changes in the
soil, ~liberating potash, etc., and com
pounding and absorbing water, keeping
the ground moist.
After this discussion. Mr. A. Chan
man, of the Board, gave au address upon
Budding aud Grating"
Mr. j. H. Bryant, Of Elmore, read q
paper upon "Tree Culture"
One OF the most interesting subjects
that can be presented to the public is
that of tree culture. In the history OF
Greece we find instances of districts thai
have been denuded Of their timber, thai
now suffer FROM long-continued and ex-
cessive droughts, while districts in near
that have extensive forests
have plenty ofrain. The timber through
our country was becoming rapidly ex-
hausted, the consumption was enormous
and greatly III excess of the natural
growth. He would say u good word in
regard to the culture of fruit trees,
Twenty-Five years ago, Lamoille was q
fruit-producing county, now there is no
section where there is such destitution.
He thought some artificial protection
necessary. High hedges of ever
greens, would, he thought, prove a prof
liable and good projections. He would
like to say a word in favor Of the cult
vation of ornamental trees to beautif,
our homes. To conclude, he would like
to encourage the cultivation of Aowore
with which to add to the attractions and
encourage the refining influences OF
After Mr.. Bryant had read his paper.
there arose a discussion upon the prof
fruit culture, or rather, the POSSIBLE
itv Of raising it.
Mr.. Delano, of Elmore, took the
ground that the whole thing was q hum
and only a scheme Of tree peddlcrs
% rob honest men of their MONEY: he
ssve it as his opinion that these inen
be dismissed as soon as possible,
and if they delayed their departure, il
be accelerated by kicking them
off the place. He did not know but sci
would teach them some way to
'aise fruit successfully, but he had but
title hope they could.
Mr.. Chapman thought it was O case
If practical application, rather than OF
knowledge. 1t was generally
he neglect that decided the case; he
knew Of many linen that thought raising
.ruit did not pay, and they bought Their
'ruit of their neighbors who raised it Of
profit.
Prof. Seely thought, with care, fruit
could be successfully raised; he wonld
the lesson that we should
grow stronger for our failures; the dis
should be a benefit to us. He
would recommend to Mr.. Delano the
I'D motto, "try, try againl"
Mr.. Griswold had bought MANY trees
It q good deal of expense and lost most
If them, but he would not wish to take
What they all cost for the few that were
eft.
Mr.. Chapman offered two or three
to such as would wish 10
et fruit trees in places where thev were
lifacult to raise. First, he would miami
lardy varieties; second, he would be
ar 9fui TO select a piece ofland that was
naturally dry, and, if possible, where
40 oAOW WOulu UlOW Oh, instead OF &C. !
'umulating to a great depth; third, he
would limb the trees very low; fourth.
le would plant evergreens, not around
outside, but among the trees, say in
of a fourth of the fruit trees.
Nr. A. w. Davis, of Waterbury Cen
re, said he would plant trees in an ex-
'osed situation. He thought the cause
# bark splitting, was that the sap com
nenced to circulate in warm DAYS In
arly spring, then freezing again sud
lenly tho bark would split; he had
ound splitting the bark from the roots
o the limbs a remedy.
Friday evening the first exercise was
paper upon "Home Production II
vas read by Mr.. Ora Paul, of the Board.
After the paper was read, Mr.. Paul by
equest explained his method of raising
urnips, He raises the Sweet German
by spreading manure broadcast
he first of June on greensward, turns
'ver the greensward, and after spread
ng, ine manure on top, harrows well.