davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06
Fertilizers.

Now is the time for the farmer TO consider
whether he had better use fertilizer, and to
determine what kind of he shall purchase.
On judicous practice here, the profits Of
the coming year OF farming will largely de.
pend. Here there is little danger Of the far.
mer buying too much, provided what he buys
is intelligently used. In England it is diff
Ierent there farmers often buy more fertili.
zers than they can afford but the tempta-
tion to do this is brought about by the fact
that they have purchased large quantities 10
the past, and received a profit therefrom.
The English farmer well knows that up to
certain point, every shilling expended for for
eign manures, will bring him a profit; now
the farmer who tils the most land, and re.
alizes profit from each acre, is in the way
to success and this idea is at the foundation
of an improved agriculture. Let our farmers
this year see how much land they can cul.
tivate, and cultivate thoroughly; let them
see in what ways they can do this most
chcaply. Let them buy tools when they
can figure a profit on their use, and not
otherwise. Plenty Of manure, fertilizer,
and improved machinery will force profit
out of any land which the farmers should be
willing to plough, and wish success in do
not try slovenly farming, but put just enough
labor on your crops for the profit, and do not
spend for show, or for your fancy, unless you
keep satisfaction" account on your ledger,
and are willing to see the figures here run
high. Do not buy fertilizer, and use it hap
hazard, but put it in that place where your
mature judgment prompts you, and keep rec.
ord Of the results for future use Use it in
the same way, and with the same intelligence
that you use your manures, and do not ask
more from one than the other. What con-
Germs you is the farm profit and not mere
names aud definitions.
We have departed from our usual course,
and offered advice, and VIC do this, because
we are satisfied that results will show that
our advice il founded on reason and expert
encc. We do not advocate fertilizer over
manure, or rice-UerSa, but we know that fer
tilizer can be used either pro6taby or un-
pro6tably, and the farmer must make his
choice. Fertilizers are good in themselves.
. Implements are good in themselves. 1t is
in the right union Of these, under conditions
which imply the cultivation of the largest
area possible, that the largest possible re.
turns Of farming depend Yet, like all other
business, farming requires the man at its
head, and the successful farmer must be the
right man for success Advice at random is
of little worth, unless it meets,
with fitting response and interpetra-
ton from the parties in interest, iu this case,
the farmers. Why should not this year, the
birth year of new century of our republic,
be notable for the improvements started into
being in our agricultural practices.-Scien-
tjfc Farmer.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

Course OF THE SAP.-In relation to this
matter, Koel Koch, in German periodical
says "Among practical farmers and pomol-
ogists, not only does this error respecting
rising crude sap or raw food prevail, but
many of the current notions as to the real
nutritive substances are equally at fault;
more particularly that with regard to the
direction Of assimilated sap which goes wher-
ever it is needed-that is to say, where it
can nourish, as rule, and for the greater
part upward and in less degree downward.
In the first place nobody appears to have at
tempted to answer the question. When do
the leaves become active or begin to assim-
ilate the nutritive substance, the carbon hy-
drates Nor, SO far as know, has it been
taken up from scientific standpoint. As
the leaves are already green when they un-
fold, it has been tacitly admitted that assim-
ilation commences then. But such is by no
means the case. The leaves only become
active after the shoot has attained its full
development. Until this point is reached
the leaves themselves, as we'll as the axis Of
the shoot need nourishment in order to en-
able them to reach their natural size, and
finally fit them for the work of assimilation.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06
WHOLE NO. $50.
FARM CHIPS.

That Vermont farmer understood human
nature who said "If you want your boy To
stay at home. don't bear too hard on the
griDdstoue when he turns the crank ~
Profitable farming must produce more
meat, more manure and the ability to buy
fertilizers. Starving the land is as injudi-
cious as half feeding the animals Of the
farm.
Lay your plans the coming season to raise
largely of such crops as you can use in feed
ing TO your own live stock, and send your
products to market on four legs, retaining
three-quarters of the plant food at home in
the shape Of manure.
Americans would grumbe if the cost Of
transferring land and the delays occasioned
we're as great as in England. 1t costs $1,000
in gold, and delay of three months, to con-
vey $4,000 farm and investigate the title
in Great Britain.
Don't fail to read thoroughly your agricul-
tural paper, for the knowledge Of what other
people are doing will frequently serve as
warning or an encouragement, invaluable to
your future. No progressive man should
fasten the door of his mind.
The soil of Switzerland is very equally
divided among its population. Eight per cent
of its population are landed proprietors.
Twenty per cent of its area is in pasture,
seventeen in forest, eleven in tillage, twenty
in grass, one in vineyard, balance unculti-
vated.
The state Of Maine offers for sale, to actual
settlers, $4,000 acres of land in Aroostock
county, divided into farms of 100 to 160
acres, at the low proice of thirty-fve cents
per acre, payable in one and two years in
labor on the highways in the townships where
the land is situated. Why go West for
cheap lands
To extract grubs from the backs Of cattle
the following plan is recommended by an en-
inent stock breeder: "Take small oil can
such as is used for sewing machine, put In
soft limpid OIL insert the tip in the hold
made by the grub and press little on the
bottom of the can, forcing some oil around
the grub, then press hard upon each side Of
the grub and it will come out with pop.
A dozen may be taken out this way in less
time than one without the oil. These grubs
should all be taken out of the catte's backs,
as they injure the cattle, are painful, each
female grub taken out prevents several hum
dred being produced next year, and this is
the time to do it."
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

LECTURES. week Prof N. Cressey,
late Of the Massachusetts agricultural college,
delivered lecture on veterinary scieuce at
Burlington, Vermont. Many farmers went
from Massachusetts to listen to it, and the
best farmers from various towns in Vermont
were in attendance. The state board of
agriculture in Vermont have authorized one
hundred lectures to be given to the farmers
in various sections OF the state. New Hamp-
shire and Maine have adopted similar courses.
Why cannot Massachusetts, profit by this
G nterprising and laudable example set by her
sister states, and instruct and inspire our
farmers with new ideas of improved culture,
and new inspiration Of progress and develop
ment, by few practical aud scientific leo
lures delivered in our leading agricultural
districts ? Our agriculture needs some slim
ulant, and lectures would be as inexpensive
and as effective as any method yet devised
--American AgrieulturiSt
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

Vitality OF EGGs AND COLD.-M.
Colasant has lately Investigated the degree
Of cold to which hens eggs could be submit
ted without impairing their vital powers.
Having FIRST observed that salt water at or
dinary temperature did not affect the devel-
opment OF eggs, he buried some eggs in a
freezing mixture Of ice and ordinary salt.
OF any three or four treated thus, one or
the other always breaks its shells, aud the
contents OF both of these and of the unbroken
ones were found solidly frozen. After re-
naming one or two hours in the mixture
1.-THE temperature Of which quickly went down
to from 7 degrees to 10 degrees @. for 30 to
40 minutes, rising again to 4 degrees or
degrees 9. by the end of the second
hour,) the unbroken eggs were taken out,
washed and dried, aud placed in the hatch
ing oven, having temperature between ~
degrees aad 40 degrees O., aud after ten
days they were examined. In every case a
normal embryo was found to be developed
without the least trace of anomaly. They
were in all respects like the normal embryos
of eggs that had been placed in the Matching
oven without previous exposure to cold
In the centigrade thermometer zero is the
freezing point or 32S Fahrenheit, 100 de-
groes Q. is equal to 2l2' Fahrenheit.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

SCARE CRows,-The first aud the hest is
suspended looking glass. Take two small,
cheap mirrors, fasten them back to back, at
tach cord to one angle, and hang them to
an elastic polo. When the glass swings
the suns rays are reflected all over the field,
ven If it be a large one, and even the old.
est and bravest of crows will depart precipi.
lately should one of its Lightning flashes fall
on him. The second plan, although a ter
ror to crows, is especially well suited to fields
subject to the iDroads of small birds and even
chickens. 1t involves an artificial hawk
made from big potato, and long goose and
turkey feathers. The maker can exercise
bis initiative skill in sticking the feathers
into the potato 80 that they resemble the
spread wings and tail of the hawk. 1t is
astonishing what ierocious looking bird Of
prey can be constructed from the above sim
pie material. 1t ouly remains to hang the
object from tall bent pole, and the wind
will do the rest. The bird will make swoops
aud dashes IN the most headlong and threat
ening manner. Even the most inquisitivC
of venerable hens have been known to hurry
rapidly from its dangerous vicinity, while tC
small birds 1t carries unmixed dismay.-
Scientific american.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06
A Poor Mans Manure.

March and April SHOWS have been denom-
mated the poor mans manure. If this be
true, a large portion Of the West has been
largely enriched this March, notwithstand-
ing the fact that Professor Tice, tho st. Louis
weather prophet, did not predict the vista
ton. We suppose the saying about poor
mans manure, arose from the fact that snow
is known to bring down ammonia with It !;
but, 80 does water, and, like snow, IL brings
down more ammonia after drouth than
otherwise, long rain washing the ammonia
pretty thoroughly from the atmosphere.
Messrs. Lawes 4 Gilbert Of England, found
by accurate experiment, by means Of the
rain guage, and computations, that, the
amount furnished in this way by the atmos-
phere through tho medium of rain, was seven
and half pounds in one year, and, in an
other, nine pounds per acre, per year, as the
amount that fell in 100000 gallons per acre.
Other noted chemists have found the guam
tity of ammonia iu rain water to vary from
one to thirty three, in 100000 900 the larger
amounts in densoly populated districts; the
largest amount found by Messrs. Lawes q
Gilbert, not being 1.-THE of that consumed
by the growing crop. The poor mans man
ure is good cultivation, preceded by thorough
plowing and accurate seeding. This man
ure is good for the rich farmer also but,
whether rich or poor, saving and applying
all the real manure Of the farm, will help
out good cultivation wonderfully. Do not
disdain what nature gives naturally, but in
crease her bounty by allowing nothing to go
to waste.-Prairie Farmer.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

WATER IN STocK FooD.-The value Of
food for stock consists in its adaptation to
the animal economy or in other words, in
the power of the animal to readily assimilate
it. About 25 to 80 per cent of water is
required to bring dry food to that condition
when it maybe readily digested. Vegeta-
bles and green fodder, naturally contain about
the proper amount of moisture for this pur-
pose.
The water in thoroughly dry meadow, and
clover hay, straw, aud the dry grains Of ce-
reals, is determined at l4.3 per cent. 1t is,
however, better that the hay contain from 10
to 16 per cent. if it be the moisture of the
sap. Green fodder con tains 70 to 80 per
cent. Of water, potatoes the same carrots
and parsnips rather less; mangel wurzel 80
to 80, and turnips 80 to 92 per cent. Of
water. Therefore, in feeding, due regard
should be paid, that the animals have water
at proper times About 10 per cent. more
water will be taken, than is absolutely neces-
sary for digestion, and if the animals have
violent exercise, still larger amounts Of water
are required.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

In THE anxiety to increase the crop Of corn
to be grown this year, avoid the error Of
spreading the thing out too thin"-to use
common but hardly allowable phrase. Do
not enlarge your operations at the expense
of slight manuring, extra labor, and add.
tional cost to obtain a gain that will not
meet the expense. Manure we'll every rod
of ground ySu plant, take good care OF the
crops by frequent cultivation, and then ex.
pect good yield, If you are looking to q
larger yield through planting double the
breadth, on lightly manured land, at the
same expense of cultivating a less area
you will be disappointed. Good, heavy
paying crops, can only come from well pre-
pared and we'll manured land, with good
seed and good culture.-Maine Farmer.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

The new bridge across the East river be-
tween New York and Brooklyn is the longest
ever projected. 1t is three thousand four
hundred and seventy-fve feet between the
anchorages, with clear span Of one thou
sand five hundred and nlnety.fve feet, while
the Niagara bridge has span of only eight
hundred and twenty-one feet, and the Gin
cinnati bridge is two thousand two hundred
and twenty feet long, with span of ono
thousand and iity-seven feet. The longest
span of the St. Louis bridge is five hundred
and twenty feet.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

MANuRING FOR CoRN.-ln manuring for
corn apply the dung or fertilizer near the
surface. This is our practice, aud as we find
it successful, we can offer substantial reasons
The corn plant loves warmth, and tho roots
grow blst in the warmest earth. A tempera-
ture of 80 degrees is said to be the most
favorable for the growth Of corn rorts. Now
by applying the fertility near the surface,
the roots find nutriment to absorb at the
point where the physical agencies are present
for the most rapid development. If hill
of corn be dug 10 the fall and the roots ex-
amined, the upper portion will be found very
fbrous, while other roots run down deep, ap'
parently to bring up the needed MOISTURE
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

ATTRACTIVE = Commercial pursuits are
attractive to ambitious youth. Like the
moth miller, the inexperienced fly towards
the glare Of life only to get sOorched with
its Over-cOnsumiug fame, Hundreds of
Young men, who ought to remain at home
and cultivate the ground, are seized with an
iniatuation to become merchants in the
crowded cities. Now the farming interests
are mixing more thorough, investigation and
brain work in their labors, young men can
find field for their highest ambition and
longings for advancement 10 the improved
culture Of the soil DO not leave noble,
useful and honorable calling for one Of un-
certainty disappointment aud urproductiye-
ness.-AmeTicaR CultiUator.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

TIE BEAUTY OF HoME.-The beauty of
home depends more on educated and refined
tastes than upon mere wealth. If there is
no artist in the house, it matters little that
there is a large balance at the bank. There
is usually no better excuse for barren home
than ignorance or carelessness. A little me-
chanical skill can make brackets and shelves
for the walls. A thoughtful walk in the
woods can gather leaves and lichens and
ferns for adorning the unpictured rooms.
A triAe saved from daily expenses can now
and again put book upon the table or shelf.
The expenditure Of few shillings can con-
vert the plain window into conservatory.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06
CHOICE FLOWER
And Garden Seeds,
STRAWBERRIES, PEACHES, ETC"
NEW sorts 10y Mail.

Plants of the newest and finest Improved
.orts. carefully packed by mail. My cOllec-
tIon OF Strawberries took the hrst premium
for the best collection, mt the great show OF
Ins Massachusetts Horticultural Society In
Boston. 1 grow eyer 100 varieties, the most
complete collection In the country, ineiud-
ing all the new, large American ana in-
ported kinds. Priced descriptive Cnth-
loRues, gratis, by mail. Also, Bulbs Fr"'
Trees, Roses, Evergreen, Choice Flower
Garden, Tree, Evergreen, Hcrb, or Fruit
Seeds, as packets OF either for S1.OO, by mall
- - The true Cape Cod Cranberry,
~ best sort for Upland, Lowl"nd
C. or Garden, by mail, prepaid
81 90 per 100, $500, per 1000. wholesale
Catalogue to the trade. Agents Wanted
3. M. WATSON, Old Colony Nurserie"
and Seed Warehouse, Plymouth, aI"ss' E"-
tablIshed lsi2.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

If hens have the detestable habit-for it
is that aud nothing more--of feather-eating,
you have only to catch them, and with a
knife scrape the sharp edge Of the inside Of
their bills, so as to leave them blunt, and
you will enjoy the fun Of seeing the fowls
grab at feather and have il slip out Of their
mouth without pulling it from the victim
Golden Rule.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

SUGAR FROM Gonna factory is in OPP
Grafton at Davenport, Iowa, for the making
of sugar from corn, the first in this country.
This sugar is the same as maple sugar, or is
chemically known as gucose-pure maple
sugar, grape sugar and glucose being one
and the same thing. Tho demand for the
article by the confectioners alone in
the United States is immense. The
sources of supply heretofore have been
France and Germany, where glucose is made
from potatoes Here it is the product ol
corn wholly. 1t is as pleasing to the taste
as honey. The production OF grape sugar
and glucose opens new department for
Iowa corn. The capacity Of the works at
Davenport is 500 bushels per day. This
branch of manufacture bids fair to become
of immense importance to the state and
country.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

How TO Sow SEEDs.-The most success
full seed sower we ever knew lets his garden
ground get little dry before sowing. Then
ho stretches the line along where the seeds
are to go, sows tho seeds on the surface,
and then walks sideways along the line,
pressing the seeds with his "Aat foot" He
says he never has q seed to miss, and so he
sows them thinly just where every plant is
to grow. There is not only no waste
of seed, but no waste in thinning. There
is no raking in of the seed, and the whole
is as simple as possible. His wife is a
good aower-gardener. Her mignonette and
phloxes always grow, ten-cent paper is
enough for the whole garden. She sows on
the surface, "pats" down, as she says, the
earth with the back of her cast.steel trowel,
puts the stick with the name in the center of
the little patch, and they sprout at once.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

PLANNINo.--IIow much might be saved if
every producer would spend few hours each
week in laying out his plans for future work.
System in labor will vastly increase its pro-
ductveness Hap.hazard movements, run
ming to and fro with no fixed intent result
in serious waste of time and opportunity.
DO not undertake too many jobs in one day,
but pursue what you do start upon with a
definite purpose aud unainchiDg will,
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

j. W. Scott now gathers ripe tomatoes
from the top of twenty foot ladder in Los
Angeles, Cal. This vine is growing on the
sunny side of his house, is twenty five feet
high, and bears blossoms and tomatoes in
every stage of growth. 1t has attracted no
little attention from strangers, who wouldn't
believe in its existence until they had seen
"a
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

We have taken, says Western editor,
wood, potatoes, corn, eggs, butter, onions,
cabbages, chickens, stone, lumber, labor,
sand, calico, saur-kraut, secondhand cloth
ing coon skins and bugjuice on subscrip-
tions, in our time, aud now man writes us
to know five would send thelpaper six months
for large owl. There are few things an
editor would refuse on subscription, aud if
we come across any fellow who is out Of
an owl, aud is in need of one, we'll take
him.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

Counselor Lamb ian old man at the time
Lord Erskine was in the height of his repu-
tation) was q man of timid manners and
nervous disposition, aud usually prefaced
his pleadings with an apology to that effect.
On one occasion, when opposed to Erskine,
he happened to remark that che felt himself
growing more and more timid as he grew
older" "No wonder" replied the witty but
relentless barrister; "every one knows tho
older lamb grows the more sheepish he be.
comes"
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

One ofthe popular lectures this winter is
entitled Women who Think" A Boston
editor is anxious to know what they think
about 1t his wife is brunette, aud he
goes homo with three or four long blonde
hairs on his coat-collar, he will very soon
know what one woman thinks about
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-06

LIQUID GRATING WAx-A correspond.
ent of the Practical Farmer gives the fol-
lowing directions for making liquid grating
wax, which, being about the consistency Of
houey, may be readily applied with brush
for outdoor grating, without the trouble
of heating. 1t is also excellent to cover
cuts made in pruning: Melt together l ID.
of good beef tallow, Remove from stove
and let cool until n scum forms over it, then
odd teaspoonful of spirits of turpentine !;
replace on stove aud add I OF. of mixture
of parts strong alcohol aud ] part water,
stirring briskly, and taking care that the al
cohol does not inflame, as it will if the mix
ture is too hot. Stir until the liquid is lost
in the mixture, when it should be Of the
consistency of honey. Keep in a closed
bottle and apply with a brush If after a
mouth or two it becomes hard, remelt, add u
few drops more of the turpentime, and more
Of the alcohol and water A few days after
it is applied it becomes hard, and will re.
main unchanged, except that it grows harde!
for an indefinite time.