Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-02-06
Meeting of the State Board of Agricul
ture at FelchYille.

afternoon the 10Th ult in the hall of the
hotel, and organized by electing W. c.
Bement, Esq, president. The only mem
bers of the board present were Prof. Seely
and Maj. Panl, who proved themselves
equal to all demands on the board. The
opening address was made by G. A. Davis,
Esq. Mr.. Davis discussed the agricultural
college, taking the grounds already thick
ly settled, that the people are getting no
benefit from the agricultural college funds
in Vermont. Mr.. Davis also discussed the
average agricultural fair taking the
grounds that horse trotting was n curse in
its influence and effects, and commencing
the grange fair at Perkinsvile. At the
close of Mr.. Daviss address Maj. Paul
asked Mr.. Davis TO prescribe the remedy
for the trouble he had described relating
TO the college, as he was lawyer and
should understand those matters but Mr..
Davis gave up the cOnundrum and called
for something easier.
The paper of Mr.. Byron Ruggles of
IIariland on stabling cows was the next
given. He had had all kinds of stables in
the twenty-five years he had kept cows.
lie prefers TO have floors planked length
wise with slope of two inches in the
standing room with trench or gutter for
manure six inches deep and at least three
feet wide, or to extend back to the side of
the stable if it is six feet For combining
COWS the stanchion was in most common
use, and has its advocates in every meet
ing like this, who claim they are conven-
lent and comfortable. They should add,
convenient for the man and not for the
COW. The best way for fastening stan
chions was by latch which falls when
the sttnchion is pushed into place. That
they are durable and convenient no one
can deny; that they are very uncomiorta-
bic to the cow, compelling her to lie in an
unnatural position where she has stood is
equally true and cows which have been
tied otherwise hate and despisc them, and
refuse to 90 into them. Chains and straps
are the best ties in use, the only objection
being its taking more time in fastening.
1t seems the time had much better be uScd
with ties, than Sured by stanchions. But a
better way was motto tie ut all, but 10 con.
fine them by putting each COW in room
six or seven feet square. This takes twice
as much barn room, but the benefits gain.
ed he thought fully compensated for this
A COW can lie as she chooses and rot bt
obliged 10 lie "spoon fashion," will keer
themselves clean; gives better chance fol
feeding and milking Many farmers neg
lect to furnish bedding for their cows, bu
it is poor policy. He uses saw dust, refuse
fodder, and coarse growth of pastures
which he mows for the purpose and where
this or straw was used it should first Ii
run through a straw cutter. Bedding
serves three purposes to keep cows com
Portable, to save the liquid portions of tht
manure and to cause the manure heap Il
fcrment. lie enforced the necessity o
great cleanliness in the stable, good car,
of the cows, cleaning and grooming then
thoroughly; for full thorough airing o
the stable if it is tight, and for system 0
ventilation. He thinks it better that cat
tie stand out of doors in fair weather if tn
temperature is below zero, from about 9
till o'clock; that salt should be kept il
box where they can have access to it a
any time. After trying all kinds Of gate
and doors, he finally believed the old styl
of gate hanging on hinges at one end sue
rs the old Egyptians used ten ccnturie
before Christ was born, is still the best
and the old latch of similar antiquity
good fastening, though cows may learn t
open it unless it is protected
TUESDAY EVENING.
The meeting was opened by a paper b
Mr.. f. S. Wood of Pomfret on the fee
and management of dairy stock,which W
think worthy of place in our columns.
MR.. WOODS PAPER.
The care and feed of dairy stock is
subject in which all dairymen should b
much interested, as their success great
depends upon skillful management i
these particulars.
Though in favor Of the careful selectio
and breeding of dairy stock, still mair
tain that the profits of any dairy will dc
pend in great measure on good care an
liberal feed. 1t is an old saying. ths
what is worth doing at all is worth dc
ing well,n and in no case is i! more tru
than in keeping stock; an animal that
worth keeping at all is worth keepin
we'll. The successful breeder rs well n
dairyman must see that his stock is ker
comfortable and quiet at all times. i
summer it may be turned to pasture an
should be taught to stay where 1t is pu
This l consider one of the most importan
things to be thought of in the way of cart
have always noticed when stock of an
kind get the habit Of getting ont of II
pasture and running where they pleas
even if they please to run in the mowin
or corn6eld, they will not do well; the
become restless and uneasy. often stonet
chased by dogs, made wild. and man
times otherwise injured. The best an
cheapest way to teach them this is to st
that the fence is properly repaired befoi
they are turned out. A sufficient amour
of feed, plenty of good running water, ar
salt once or twice week is all that
necessary for young stock. Cows that a,
to be driven to and from pasture shou
never be chased or worried by BOYS
dogs. If driven slowly and carefully The
may travel "a mile or more each way, wit
out any perceivable injury. Cows Il,
creatures of habit and will learn TO be
the bars at about the same time, and shou
be driven and MIXED rs nearly as possib
at the same time each day. The same pc
son should, if possible milk the san
cows through the entire season. No har
treatment to the COW or loud talk amor
the mixers should be allowed, but mil
ing should be done as quickly us possit
and in the most quiet manner. In II
own dairy, | have cows that think III
must be MIXED first. and as soon as | {
into the yard with pail, will follow +
until stop and milk them, This habit
theirs l take pleasure in gratifying. T
time of milking should be regular. \
own time is about the first chore in t
morning and last Mt niUht ol,Vovs Mill; !,