The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-02-10

paper upon 'Our disadvantages
Mr. Foster thought that farmers had
more rights than they deserved. The
middlemcn had not been more dishonest
than the farmers; that with all our dis
advantages we could not and would
not give up our present advantages of
culture and civilization indeed they are
far better than we deserve. We are
far too sharp and overreaching.
Mr.. IIibbard thought that for every
disadvantage we labor under, we have
many advantages. We should magnify
our calling, and learn to draw out of il
those useful lessons that will grow lis up
to the most perfectly developed man.
hood
Mr.. Abbott said that this was a free
country, and every man must determine
for himself whether he wanted to sup
port the from three to eight middlemen
whom they now had.
Mr.. Barnard of Peacham, being called
upon, gave q statement of the produce of
two cows that made GAO lbs of butter,
besides what was used in his family
the above amount was actually sold.
Mr.. Miller gave an account of q full
blood Jersey COW that he owns, that
made twenty-one pounds of butter in
one week in June, and seventeen pounds
in the same length of time in Septem-
Der. Her feed was good early hay and
grass with eight quarts mixed shorts,
with one-fourth meal day. He thought
high feeding did not hurt cows.
Mr.. Blake gave an account of a COW
owned by Amasa Scott, which made
from January /, 1876, to February |,
1877, 450 pounds of butter.
Mr.. Greenback of Peacham, sold from
eight cows 2400 lbs. of butter, besides
what was used in family of five per-
sons.
Friday evening, after the meeting was
called to order by the chairman. Ora
Paul, Esq, of Pomfrct, member of the
Board, made an address explaining
the operations of some of the laws en-
acted at the last session of the legisla-
ture, as affecting farmers. The first law
noticed was that to prevent cruelty to
animals. Mr.. Paul thought this wise
provision to ensue kind treatment of
our farm stock.
The fish and game laws Mr.. Paul
thought would not be of so great benefit
to increase fish and game as the friends
of the law expected, though one that
preserved fish during the spawning sea-
son might prove beneficial.
The dog law was next considered. Al
though the committee on agriculture of
the house were all opposed to it, after
they had duly examined and considered
it, reported unanimously in favor of it,
and ii passed both houses and became O
law. The greatest advantage in this
system was to make it possible for own
ar nf cham Iof l,s11a1 n, n. -,
pay if the owners of the dogs were IT.
responsible, as the present license fees
go to make a fund In nay for shoor in
such cases.
1t would be we'll, perhaps, TO reverse
the question, and ask how farmers had
affected legislation. The present house
of representatives has one hundred and
thirty-eight farmers out of two hundred
and thirty-six members, or majority
of forty over all others. There were
only eighteen members of any other cal
ling or profession, but the farmers were
like the clay in the hands of the potter,
and were shaped accordingly. 1t becomes
all farmers to ask themselves if this
should be so; should they not awake and
inform themselves and be able to exert
an influence according to their proper
standing and rights. We should also edu-
cate our sons not only in the matters per-
tanning to their calling, but in such mat
tiers of general and public importance as
will affect their interests vitality in the
future, and enable them to take their
proper places in conducting public af-
fairs.
After discussion upon recent legis-
lation, j. III. Mead, Esq, of West Rut-
land, a member of the Board, read a pa
per upon "Shecp Husbandry."
After discussion of the subject of
the paper. Mr.. f. f. RiehprasapNf Vie
Importance of Education on the
Farm"
A knowledge of chemistry, botany
and anatomy, with other proper branch
es of English study, would seem to be
indispensable to enable the farmer prop
erly to fulfill his calling. 1t would seem
to be also indispensable that the farmer
should honor his calling.