Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-08-17
EARN AND ETRESIDE.
John Johnston,s Farming.

SVAH SONhaNVhH
The Elmira Husbaudman has an account
of visit TO the venerable farmer, John
Johnston of Western New York, whose
name Is a household word and synonym
for success In agricultural life. We make
some extracts from the letter, which relate
to practical matters.
Mr.. Johnston, in relating his experience,
said ~ am upwards of eighty-seven years
old /; 1 have just given up my farm, on
which had lived since 1921. 1 purchased
II soon after reaching this country from
Scotland. The country was new, and the
farm bought was not thought TO be valua-
bile. The crops which 1t grew were light,
and people said never could pay for 1t.
But did. 1t was fortunate for me that
had learned in the old country the valne OF
manure and how TO apply ii. II was fortu-
nate, also, that understood the advantage
of draining, for soon found that was the
first great want OF my farm. sent TO Scot
land for samples of tiles, and had them
made here. My improvements through
draining, attracted much attention."
He continued "I drained my farm, as
rapidly as I could meet the expense and
applied all the manure I could make. l
grew some splendid crops. There Is too lit
tie manure made in this country. Our
farmers must learn to use more manure.
Draining, manure and clean culture are
what will make good farms and produce
profitable crops"
"What has been your system of farm
ingf What crops have you grown princi-
pailyH"
"Wheat has been my main dependence,
but 1 have grown good crops of corn. 1t is
a very profitable crop. The stalks make
excellent feed for any kind of stock. My
wife always thought she could make better
butter from cows fed on stalks than from
those kept on hay. My farm was grain
farm and have wintered a good deal of
stock, feeding up my stalks, hay and grain,
and working my large product Of straw in
TO manure"
"What was your average yield ofwheatH
Excepting two seasons when my crops
were destroyed by hail, my wheat has av-
eraged about thirty bushels 10 the acre.
The best crop ever raised was 42l bushels
to the acre from GA acres. 1 have several
AdlSOu an aNOldBO Vi H. OuShViS'
'I wanted my lands clean and rich, and
pure seed. I found there was much chess
on my farm when took it, and in those
days many good farmers really believed
that wheat turned TO chess. 1 frequently
had spirited arguments with those who
strongly maintained the ridiculous theory
that wheat will become chess. remem-
Ter meeting one farmer who firmly believ-
ed that oats even would turn TO chess. So
much was this question discussed that our
State Agricultural Society appointed COM
mittee TO make thorough investigation
and experiment. This impartial commit
lee gave its verdict, and in our section of
the State the question was pretty thorough
ly settled"
SIN your effort to increase your supply
of manure have you used commercial fer
tilizers?"
eyes, have tried them, but in most cas-
es have failed to receive benefit. 1 have
used several tons of guano, and have some
times found quite satisfactory results, but
at other times could see no effects from APP
plying it,"
"You have always found good results
from barnyard manure2"
"Always. That is the standby, the sure
reliance; but it would be grand thing
for our farming interests if we could apply
chemical fertilizers with profit. I hope we
shall find what we need. 1 applied some
on my wheat last fall, leaving a strip with
out any. When left the farm, April LIST,
could see no difference. But that land is
very RICH"
"But you say you knew how to apply
manure, for you learned in Scotland. What
was your practice?"
al always apply manure several months
before plow the land. Immense quaint.
ties are wasted every year by blowing it in
jnst before putting in the crops. On thi,
point my friend Joseph Harris could moi
agree with me. He believes in applying
manure Immediately before the crops.
pile my manure in the spring, and in Tho
fall put 1t on the land which 1 Intend tC
pillow the following spring. One great OBJ
ject have had in piling my manure was L
destroy all weed seeds. II the manure II
handled enough all seeds will be destroy
ed"
"You have told me what you considered
good average crop of wheat. How mucl
corn did you GET to the acre7"
"A few years ago kept accurate accoun
of my crop, and had 1877 bushels of ears "A,
pounds TO tho bushel) per acre. This wa
an excellent crop, little more than an av
erage, although 1 used to aim 10 have larg,
crops all the time. One year 1 raised 90
bushels of wheat and fourteen bushels o
corn, doing all the blowing, narrowing ant
cultlvating myself 1 had little help t.
hoe my corn, but do not use a hoe an,
more, do all the work with the horse.
plant my corn In drills three feet four inch
es apart, getting as nearly as possible tiv,
kernels 10 foo, IN the drills. 1 have no
planted corn in hills in over thirty years
A good man will plant seven acres da.
with drill, and The yield of corn will b
larger and the stalks vastly better. Tn
last time the corn is gone through, a skill
ful workman will with pillow turn a fur
row on the row so as to perfectly cover u
and smother any weeds which may ap
pear"
-=
Men are drowned by raising their arm
above water, the unbuoyed weight Of whic