Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-10-30

fathers. But alasl with this yesterday
has gone, too, the virgin fertility oil our
soil.
In the to-day of agriculture we find
nearly four and one-half millions acres oil
land, over three millions of which are lm-
proved, whose value is about one hundred
and thirty nine millions Of dollars, adding
to this our stock and implements, we have
a total not far from one hundred and fifty
millions of dollars, with an annual income
from these of thirty-four millions OF dol
lars. Have we reached our limit OF in
Gomez Our discouragements are many
and varied, but we have advanced steadily
though slowly.
The hay crop of the state is worth about
ten million dollars, and that from live
stock about the same. while grain, roots.
sugar and seeds make up another like
sum. This income is derived from de-
pleted though not exhausted soil, with
shihless cultivation. Now our soil, with
proper care. might be made to produce
double its present yield, and in fifty years
will show a larger average than the most
fertile of the western praires. lis soil Is
practically inexhaustibe, like that of the
Valley of Egypt, and this fact is one of the
most cheering features of our agriculture.
Our mountain sides furnish the best posi-
bio home for the potato; the island and
the shores of Lake Champlai are unsur
passed for raising long keeping fruits, and
our sugar and honey interests are in every
way encouraging.
And what of the 4" to. morrow of agri-
culture in Vermont? Every indication
points TO its abundant prosperity. Such
| is the prediction of all those who have
been connected with our Board of Agricul-
ture, and had occasion to know. The one
hundred and fifty millions of agricultural
capital employed in this state ought to re-
turn one hundred millions annually. Our
tillage land should be increased. Our far
mcrs should organize clubs for mutual I'M
provement In their calling. Every avenue
of in. ormation should be employed. We
must not be satisfied with our present
crops but produce larger ones. Our ma
nures must be more thoroughly secured.
and intelligently appled-and then, may,
if desirable, be supplemented by reliable
commercial fertilizers. In these ways our
crops would be doubled.
| 1t is yet early to declare which is the
best kind of grass to raise in Vermont, al
though experiments are being made in
Boston and Washington, which may be OF
great value to our farmers.
Another great field for our farmers is
the improvement in our system OF breed
ing farming stock. A very able and prac.
tical paper upon this subject is published
in the report of the board for the present
year, from w. II. Brewer, of Yale College.
TO which the speaker asked the attention
of the farmers. BY following these prin-
ciplcs vast amount might be annually
saved to them. Vermont sheep have in
some instances trebled in amount of wool
per head, and ut the same time in the fine
ness of their fleece, and in constitution.
Especially was the importance OF this SUBJ
iect commended to the dairymen; certainly
as important an interest as any!in the state.
If every farmer would keep Il record of
each COW, retain and breed only from the
| best, great good would come to this inter-
est in the state. He dwelt upon this sub
ject at some length, and in very sensible
manner. He averred that the butter and
cheese product of Vermont might be
increased from four to fifteen million of
dollars year. And at the same time we
should be raising a stock of cattle valuable
for expectation at high rates.
The speaker estimated that at least one
third of the expenses reported by the state
auditor could be paid by adopting general.
" the more improved method in sugar
making. A white clover blossom is a very
little thing, but if all the nectar from every
such blossom could be collected and
marketed it would pay the auditors ac-
counts.
A thorough system of drainage would
add to the wealth and productiveness Of
our state beyond our widest estimate, and
this was yet hardly commenced.
He did not believe in the keeping OF
Vermont boys and girls at home. The
societies for the promotion of immigration
to the west reached out to Germany,
Russia and even Iceland, for men and
women, and the average immigrant was
considered to be worth one thousand dol
lars. lfthis be true, then the average son
of Vermont would be worth five thousand
and the smarter ones fifty thousand dollars
to a new country. In this way Vermont had
contributed greatly 10 the wealth and pros
perily OF her sister states. But none the
less should homes be made attractive and
pleasant, SO they may stand in memory in
brightest colors, and her absent sons and
daughters turn to her in thought and love
AS do the Jews TO Jerusalem, and worl
and pray for her prosperity.
At the close of the address Senator
Mead offered vote of thanks, which was
heartily given by the audience, when the
meeting was adjourned.