The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1878-01-25

Corn Raising" lie had advocated
raising grass instead of corn, as it takes
less manure to raise the former. After
we have brought up the fertility of the
soil, however, we can probably raise
corn. We should select a good. suita-
bic and warm soil to raise the latter.
The manure should he spread upon the
turf in the fall, and lay there until
planting time, and in this way the
greatest return will be received from il.
Chemical manurcs are attracting o
great deal of attention. DIR. Nichols,
editor of the Journal of Chemistry, is
trying some experiments in raising
corn for number of years with
chemical manurcs, thus far with
satisfactory results. Mr.. Hubbard had
tried the Stockbridge fertilizer with
barnyard manure, with small crop in
each case. Last spring he tried SO
worth of Stockbridgc fertilizer on a
fresh acre. and received at the rate of
GS bushels of corn: the whole four acres
yielding SOC bushels of cars. On the
small portion where no manure was
used, he rccivicd a small yield of nub-
bins. Plous hing in manure deep does
not pay very well with him. Plows
that lay surface fiat are not the best.
Corn should be planted as soon as pos
sible after the land is ploughcd. He
uses an Ames Plow Company planter,
that drops the hills twenty inces apart.
lie plants small variety, and cultivates
and hoes mostly by horsepower. lie
cuts up his corn when the kernels are
about half glazed The fodder is then
aud tlo 10 nsrl, n,
ripcn the grain. 1t is also heavier than
when it is allowed to ripen on the hill.
Cut-worms should be dug out and
killed. We should be very careful in
selecting seed, as one can make great
difference in Il few years by careful
selection of seed; corn was much more
valuable for food than was generally
thought.
"Wednesday morning discussion up
on the subject of application of manures
was introduced by Mr.. Barney, who
stated that he had tried top-dressing
with Indifferent success, but thought he
might have applied it improperly. Mr..
Hubbard thought the reason SO many
failed in top-dressing was because they
applied the manure in an improper
condition, and often to land where the
turf was run out entirely. He cited a
number of cases where t0p-drcssing
has proved very beneficial, and had
completely renovated worn out and
poor farms. Mr.. A. Mason stated that
he had received great benefit from build
ing barn so he could stable his cows
summer and winter; his manure was
much improved since he could house it,.
Mr.. OsgOod stated that he had built q
barn, and n cellar with cement floor.
Since he had stabbed his cows in sum
mer, he thought that the manure that
he made in summer, housed ms it was,
was worth as much as that he used to
make from the same number of cattle
thrown out and exposed, as practiccd
formerly; he was convinced that one
load saved under cover with absorbents
was worth two of the old kind. Mr..
Davis, of Springfield, had not Il very
high opinion of top-drcssing, though he
did top-dress his pasture some. lie
advocated the use of plaster freely, and
also housing manure. lie used bedding
freely for his cattle, and absorbcnts for
his manure. and also ploughed in his
manure. Mr.J. III. Putnam, of Grafton,
HcAl itit't u paper uIOIi 'hc Dtu'l''tid-
ton of rural districts, cause. and some
suggestions as to remedy" After read
ing the paper Il discussion followed upon
the subject thereof. Prof. Scely thought
a railroad would help much to keep the
Young men in such places as have not
facilities. Mr.. Davis thought
the Young men should be encouraged
to 90 where the land was more fertile
and the field more easy for them. Mr..
Chapman gave the figures on an acre of
corn in Illinois, as compared with one
in Vermont. showing that an acre of
tirst-class corn in Illinois yielding 40
bushels. cost at least Sl2 TO cultivate.
and the interest on land. The crop and
stalks were worth at the prices there
obtained 5000. Taking the crop of Mr..
Hubbard. where the yield was ~ bush
els. worth S67. IL. the cost of manure
was estimated ut S2i per acre; the cost
of cultivation. ETC.. was estimated at
$12 per acre, which with interest makes
the whole cost of an acre in Vermont
$3.50. If the stalks are estimated AT
80 per acre. the whole return will he
$77 30. which less the cost will leave a.
profit $50, or Sli.4o more than the
whole product of an acre of iirst-class
corn in Illinois.
After this discussion. Mr.. NJ. o.
House. of Fayetteville. read very in
tercsting and valuable paper upon
"Past and present Products of the Soil"
with which the morning exercises were
closed.
Wednesday afternoon, the meeting
was called to order by Mr.. Paul. of the
Board. Dea. j. o. Follett, of Towns
bend. read q paper entitled "Alore Grass
and less Grain" which was well
prepared paper upon grass farming, and
all earnest plea for more thorough cul-
tivation and attention TO the grass crop.
After the paper was read, discussion
arose upon top-dressing, moving, and
the management of pastures. On the
latter subject Mr. Fassett, of the Board,
related the practice Of Hon. f.. ID. Ma
son. president of the Dairymen's Asso-
citation, in improving pastures. Mr..
Hubbard. in answer TO question,
explained how he doubled his hay crop
said that by practice he found he was
giving too much manure 10 the grain
crop, and commenced seeding down
Immediately after hoed crop without
grain. lie believed that the manure
that was sufficient for an acre oi
corn was sufficient to give good
coat TO three acres of grass. He had
top-dressed his grass crops with mos
excellent results. and thought ii .
most economical and excellent way to
use manure if it is judicionsly applied
He cut his crop early; the best time ini
cutting herdsgrass being when il wa:
in blossom. lie cut some of his sooner
than that, or some of il would be toe
ripe before he could get il all cut.
Mr.. Davis, of Springfield, read n pa
per upon "Adapiation, which present
ed the subject in an able, interesting
manner. When Mr.. Davis had conclu
ded reading his paper, the president
Mr.. Batchelder, introduced the subject
of "Scicntiiic Education," which wa
discussed by the gentlemen present.
Wednesday evening, the exercises
opened with paper upon tho early i'm
portation of Merino sheep, by a. Chap
man, of Middlebury, the secretary o
the Vermont Sheep Breeders Associa
II