Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-03-06

the most successful Ashes Ia the most profitable
manure that we can buy for corn he recommended
a sprinkling Of plaster. lie has watched the
chemical fertilizers with great interest he would
not exchange barnyard manure for chemical fer
tilizers. He has derived good results from the
use Of the latter on the corn crop lie gave an
account Of his experiments with chemical manure
in which he obtained good results. lie believes
in suppementing barnyard manure with chem
ical manure, so far as It will pay to do so
lie mentioned an instance Of good farming. BY
saving all barnyard manure, in thirteen years
the hay crop was increased to larger capac-
ity for stock keeping. In planting corn, make
straight rows lie liked to plant with corn
planter; It saves hand-work; plants rows three
and a half feet apart twenty inches in the
row-hve kernels in the hill. Would have the
corn-field free-would have no weeds or even
pumpkin-vines mixed with IT, Level culture is
the best lie cuts corn when the kernel is half
glazed; this gives a hard, ripe kernel. The husk-
ing machine will husk cleaner than man can do
II. The value OF our corn rs compared with West
corn is matter we ought not 10 lose sight Of,
he thinks our corn is worth the most. Corn, oil
and wine are the emblems Of peace, unity and
plenty lie would reverse the order, and make
corn the emblem Of plenty-such corn as we raise
here Let us try to raise more and better corn
and grass Let us have better culture Let us
try to be better farmers-better men and women.
The address was practical and excellent, a. was
to be expected, and was heartily appauded.
Following this recitation Of whittier's Corn
Song" was given by Miss Pierce, of st. Johnsbury.
This was very finely done and was highly enjoyed.
Mr. Vail, OF Pomiret read an essay on the corn
question. He thought the question was, can we
raise corn at greater profit than any other crop
He thought this couldn't be decided in the affirm
ative every time. The paper was brief and hum
orous-rather a satire on this question Of corn
raising
J. C. Sherburne, of Pomfret, spoke briefly on
commercial fertilizers. He favored using the barn
yard manure in preference to the chemical. We
who want fertilizers should make them out Of the
material brought to our very doors. Was in
favor of buying Western corn
Dr. Hoskins thought the previous gentlemen
were each right on the corn question, although
holding different views. Advocated doing all pos
sibe to enhance the fertility Of the farm.
Mr. Tinkham believed that farmers should be
speciaists-each to be the Judge of what his farm
VIII Dest produce.
Professor w. o. Atwater, Of Middletown, Conn,
was then introduced by the president. lie said
that brains paid in every business, but nowhere
better than in farming. The analyzation of the
soils had been found to be impracticable on ac.
count of the expense. The elements which enter
into Il perfect fertilizer are potash, soda, nitro
gen, lime, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and
chlorine. All of these are necessary for the fer.
tization Of the land Every farmer must under.
stand the nature of his soil and which of these
elements it lacks in order to bring 1t up tc
! its proper proportions. There is a great differ
| ence in soils and any general rules for specia
| fertilizers are impracticable. Superphosphatei
when good are invaluable to certain soils. w,
must study our soils carefully and see what they
| need, to render them fertile. Professor Atwate
| illustrated his remarks by charts and the result
| OF various experiments, the results of which bor
out fully the conclusions to which he had arrived
| Different crops require different plant food
These matters must be made subject Of indi
vidual study, and no general rule can be ai
down for their government
President Buckham, of the University of Vei
| mont and State Agricultural College, then an
nounced that a number Of experiment station
would be instituted during the coming wear unde
the charge of the college, and invited all to CT
operate with the college in this matter.
Adjourned until afternoon.