Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-18

together with some Information about feeding
and the crops needed to furnish a supply Of
green food during the year. Hoping that
this article may not only benefit the ogricul.
turst, but also that large class of people
who suppose that they are at the mercy Of
the milkman, but who could with little ex-
ertion supply their tables with pure milk,
butter, and cream, and the children with the
only food that furnishes the necessary condi-
tions for healthy growth Of body and mind,
the following hints are given. Estimates Of
the amount of land needed to supply COW
twelve months with a sufficient quantity and
variety of food vary from one to two acres.
My own opinion is that one and one.half
acres of land in good cultivation will furnish
the fodder, green and cured, together with
furnished the fodder, green and cured, to-.
gether with roots for winter feeding, to keep
a COW in thriving condition one year. II
will be profitable to feed meal or bran, which
in this estimate is supposed to be purchased
A COW can be "kept" upon the products of
less land but it is supposed that every one
at all interested in soilng has become aware
that COW is machine for the manufacture
Of milk, butter, and cheese, and that it is i'm
portant that this machine be run to its fullest
capacity, by supplying it with all the food it
will consume, to produce the best results.
Not only this, but every step COW takes in
search of food, beyond what is needed for ex-
ercise, is diverting food from the mik.pail
into wear and tear or, rather, friction of the
machine. This we will consider the first ad-
vantage of soiling Second. The machine
can be crowded into its full production of
milk or flesh, as is needed. Second. The
residue, or manure, is increased in quantity
and quality, and can be applied where it is
most needed. Third. The injurious effects
of compression of the soil by the feet of ami
mails while grazing is obviated Fourth
More thice as many aumat can be soled
than grazed upon the same area Of cultivated
land. Fifth. No division fences are needed,
except for enclosures near buildings. Sixth.
The soil is being constantly benefited by fire.
quent cultivation Q nd increased amount of
manure applied. Seventh. The fertility of
the soil gradually increasing, the capacity Of
the farm to carry more stock, and cons e.
quently pay larger dividends increases
in like ratio. Eighth. The system
of soiling stock requires thorough careful ap-
plcatiou, and business management, which
will develop the farmer as well as the farm.
Stock should be fed in the stable, regularly
and free access given to water. Most kinds
OF green fodder should be withered slightly
before it is fed, and long fodder-as corn, or
grain when in haud-should be cut. The
food should be Of a character TO produce what
is desired. IF milk, to increase the quantity !;
if butter, richer food and plenty of meatl.
Exercise should be given in roomy enclos-
ures or small pasture-6eld, about two hours
each day in the summer, during the cooler
part Of the day; during winter, at midday.
Salt should be kept where the stock can help
themselves at any time, or at least each day
A good way to secure this is to nail boxes
containing salt against the fence Of the ex-
ercise inclosure, protecting it from the rain
by roof placed low and one-half feet above.
Rock salt is best but solar salt can be mos-
tened and caked by exposing it to the sun.
One man, with horse and cart or team
will be needed for about twenty-five COWS to
cut and prepare food, feed, water, clean
stables, ETC., but can give some assistance in
planting and cultivating.
Fodder crops can be divided into classes,
comprising First Those grains sown in
autumn, to pruducc green food early
in spring. Rye sown early will
afford considerable pasturago during
dry or frozen weather and an abundance
of early fodder in spring. Rye should be the
main reliance for this purpose, as it docs
well on all soils and is rarely injured by
winter.killing. Both fall and spring grain,
if cut early, before the seed-stak is advanced
enough to bo injured, can be depended upon
for second crop, as good and very frequent
ly better than the first. This, if not needed
for food, can or rather, should be turned
under for manure, can or, rather, should be
turned under for manure, as a preparation
for spring grains or a crop of corn.fodder
There is no better way to enrich the soil that
to turn the land often, and always with it
stable-manure or green crop.
Secondly. Spring grains, sown early with
grass aud clover, keep up the succession un-
ill cOrnfodder comes on. Oats and peas
mixed and sown one bushel peas aud tive
of oats per acre. make the most profitable
crop for feeding green or dry The straw
is equal to three-lourths its weight in good
hay, while the grain is valuable for cows
fed ground, before aud after calving, and i;
equally valuable for all kinds Of stock, Sweet
corn is best for fodder. Should be planted
early and planting kept up until July,
Milot can be sown until August. If cut
green and properly cured, will yield at least
three tons Of good hay per acre.
Three. RoOt.crops aud vegetables. Flat
turnips aud yellow turnps can be sown until
the middle of July, aud will not iujure the
quality of milk or butter. Mangolds, car.
rots and parsnips were sOwn early in spring,
A good crop of maugolds will be about twen'
ty.6ve tons carrots and parsnips twenty
tons. Squashes are better than pumpkins
and os ess;lv orown. Six TO ten tons NJ