Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-08-22

the saying that "Great men have creat
weaknesses us the above.
1t is very difficult for humble Grme,
to frame an argument against point thai
glares out so prominently with error, wber
viewed by the light of practical experi
ence, because he instinctively turns from II
And were it not for fear that error ema.
mating from so high source might possi.
bly, take root with some of my brothe,
farmers and work them injury, | sbonld
not undertake it. But as have no looir
applicable 10 this discussion | will nc.
knowledge that il is one of my pet preiu-
dices,n (Which has been strengthened by
experience,) to believe that there are two
great principles underlying all growth.
development and production in the animal
and vegetable world, These two princi.
pies are vitaHty and nourishn,ent And
they are us inseparably connected and as
essential to each in their results us the
laws which govern the universe are to It's
maintenance.
In order to develop the maximum
strength of these two principles we should
use every effort and bestow all our labor
rs farmers, taking the utmost care that the
true equilibrium between these forces be
not destroyed.
Now if we should take the seeds of
plants that have been cultivated a long
series of years to develop their best quail
ties, and should plant these seeds in gravel
they would make but feeble growth, even
though they possessed the strongest vitali-
ty OF their kind. And if they produced
anything, although the production might
resemble its kind, yet it would be so infe.
rior in quality that it would be nearly
worthless.
Natures connecting link between the
vitality of the plants and the true amount
Of nourishment which that vitality de-
manded was separated, and hence the fail
ure. And we, obscure farmers, without
the benign influence of "the light of mod
ern research" or the advantages of a
percentage glass; consider the failure
the result OF our own foolishness in not
supplying the proper amount of plant
food. But the demand OF vitality for a
full supply of nourishment with our noble
domestic animals is just as much stronger
and us much more essential us they are
higher than vegetation in the scale of
being. Then will not the "richness OF
poverty of the cows food make any per-
ceptible difference?"
Mr.. Hardin says: Jersey breeders
have been some two hundred years per-
suading the Jersey to give rich milk"
They have been successful. How have
they accomplished it? True, judicious Sc
lection has done much, but what would it
have amounted to without a proper selec-
ton of food9 Do intelligent breeders feed
indiscriminately? Has any one success.
fully persuaded the jersey to give rich
milk by feeding her straw? If 50, he will
please step forward and Barnum will pay
more to exhibit him than he has offerad
for Charlie Ross.
1t has taken two hundred years to place
the jersey ahead of all other breeds as to
quality of milk. Would it take one-hall
that length of time TO reduce her below all
others by means of poverty of food9 Has
j." modern research discovered the long
sought alchemy which turns poverty of
food into richness of product, and the bascr
metals into gold?
Ten years ago turned my two best
COWS into pasture where there was an
abundance of feed, but of poor quality.
The butter made from them while running
there was of such poor quality that |
would not allow my name to be put upon
the packages when it was sold.
Three years ago left off feeding my
cows corn meal one week in June, when
there was an abundance of good grass, but
the difference in the quality of butter made
that week was so perceptible that re-
sumed feeding meal and have continued it
ever since; so you will discover that my
pet prejudice " relative to the demand of
vitality and n full supply of nourshment
remains as "stiff as the back of heresy,"
and l am determined to continue feeding
my COWS all the rich food that they will as
simulate, and if transgress that "provs-
ion of nature for the protection Of the
young" and make my calves sick, l Will
dose them with percentage glass full
of " modern research"
Respectfully yours,
NATHAN SKINNER.
Plainfeld, VT, Aug. II.
P. S. will try and say something of
the lactometer at some future time,
Ms.