davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11

POSSIBLE WHEAT YIELD.-A. j. Crog-
gins, Tulare CO.. California, one of the
competitors for the prizes offered by B. X.
Bliss & Sons. for the largest yield of wheat
from a single pound of seed, reports crop
of 79l pounds or Is 15 bushels. Other
competitors claimed yields varying from
295 pounds to 4Si pounds from one pound
of seed. The yield per acre was estimated
to range from 50 bushels to over 300 BUSH
els. A good head often contains 40 plump
kernels, ..and it is not difficult to believe
that 20 heads may spring from one seed
under the most favorable conditions, but
that plants enough of such growth can
be produced upon a single acre to shell
out over 800 bushels of threshed wheat, is
not quite so easy to believe. We should
be much inclined to doubt the correctness
of the measurements. Still, we must
admit that we as yet know very little o.
the possible yield Of any class of crops
from IN acre of fertile soil. Many people
believe it is an easy matter to produce E
hundred bushels of dry shelled corn from
IN acre, but the number who eau do it the
second time seems to be very small. No
one farmer in New England laid claim to
Mr.. Miller's 800 gold premium las
autumn. for yield of a hundred bushels
on Il single acre, yet some 40 farmers
made the attempt to raise such crop thu
previous spring, Forty bushels of whea
and 50 of corn to the acre, will make
most cultivators feel satisiied.-Ne10 Eng
ldnd Farmer.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11

BUYI>G TooLs.-1st. Know what kind
OF work you want to accomplish. If a
pillow, do you want q lap furrow or flat
furrow turned? If u harrow, do you want
a scarifier or pulverizer or II smoother
Implement? Do you want light draft or a
heavy draft? And so with othe tools.
I'd. Decide on the most efficient nipple
ment to accomplish your purpose. If a
corn shelter, do not consult a false ecomo.
my by getting one little smaller than
you can most proEtably use. fla cultiva-
tor, get one that is strong enough to wear.
If pulley, get one that is stronger than
any possible strain to which you can apply
it.
Sd. Always get the best and most
thoroughly built instrument in the market,
and be willing to pay for the workman.
ship. cheap tool is never satisfactory
in the end Buy at as low a price as you
can, but don't get cheap tool.
4th. Before buying, see if you really
need it. Calculate the gain which will
come from its use and the saving which
may reasonably be expected from its
ownership.
9TH Remember that too many nipple
ments and too expensive implements are
Il ruinous draft on the farm profits. Bal
ance this thought, however, with the
opposite rctlection-there can be no great
er waste of resources than going without
II tool that is really needed.
Few farmers buy too many tools but
many buy unintelligently and wastefully.
The best tool is always more profitable to
buy than an inferior one, and yet no mat
ter how good the implement, it is unsatis-
factory unless you find occasion for its
advantageous use. The saving from
machinery comes from use, not from stor-
age.
Now if farmers will add to this careful
buying, intelligence in taking care of the
tool so wisely purchased, they will save Il
severe drain on the farm income. A rusty
pillow by the roadside is very common
sight at this time Of the year. A farmer
plows Il field and concludes that he will
want the same pillow in an adjoining lot
next week, and so instead of taking the
plow to the barn and placing it under
cover, he leaves it on the ground ready
for use.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11

Corn GROWING IN New ENGLAND
The continued and intensified interest
which is manifested in the New England
states in regard to the corn crop is encour-
aging. 1t is impossible that the revival
in interest, rs to this agricultural product,
should terminate with it. But in regard
to it alone, it is now conceded that corn may
be grown probably, and that for some
farmers it will pay to purchase, and for
all it will pay to make the so-called COM
mercial fertilizers. The saving of the
stalks for fodder is now carried on with
as much attention us is the getting in Of
the hay crop. Cut early and properly
cared for, the value of this slower is
undoubted. Again, the corn grown in
New England is greater in intrinsic value
than the western corn; while for family
use it is of importance to have the grain
clean. The testimony of those who have
experimental most carefully with fertili-
zers, is that they operate most benefcially
on light soil, which is Just that of the
larger part of Rhode Island. But the
general idea to be impressed upon the
owners of farms is, that their land can be
improved in value, the products varied
the income EXCHANGED by Il iudicious cul
tivation. To change the current of ideas
to stimulate love for, and confidence
n,agriculture; to prove that the run dowr
farms can be recuperated proiitably; that
this is true is beyond question. A general
action upon this conviction would add tt
the wealth and enchance the rural beaut J
of New England incalculaby ProUidenct
Journal.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11

SPARE THE CHGLDREN.-An indignant
parent lately complained of the severe
tasks which school children are compelled
to accomplish. The complaint is well
founded. Whether education or mere
discipline is the object of attendance at
school, neither justiies the physical con.
straint and mental exertion to which
hundreds of thousands of children are sub
jected every day. Few soldiers are as
severely taxed ON the drill ground rs many
children are in our show schools and others
which aspire to high regulations for order
but, as if this cruel training were not des-
tructive enough of health and spirit, the
custom grows more and more popular
with teachers, to make school hours mere
ly the time for reciting the lessons to be
stnded at home. After six hours spent in
the school room. and from four to six in
study at home, how much time and incli-
nation has child for recreationp Parents
should remember that they have rightfully
voice upon the course of studies to be
followed by their children, and should
refuse to allow home to be turned into a
school room unless they themselves are
going to officiate as teachers, and save
their children from double restraint and
double duty.--NeW York Herald.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11

BUTTER Cows.-Wc had to 60 with
Esquire Davidson to his stable and help
him admire his Jersey COWS. They are
all grades, from alf-bloods up to fifteen
sixtecnths, and are beauties every one of
them. The Esquire thinks, for butter
dairy, they are the most profitable COWS n
farmer can have. They are hardy and
give good messes of exceedingly rich
milk. People come to his house and offer
five and ten cents more than the market
price for his butter on account of its eX-
celent quality. The Esquire is one of II
few neighbors who have had the FORE
thought and good judgment to send their
best native cows TO our Jersey bulls, and
he is now reaping his reward. Mr.. Hea-
ton did the same thing, and he has a half
bred Jersey heifer, which at two years of
age made nine and II quarter pounds of
butter in one week, and when three years
old, from weeks milk, made twelve and
ii half pounds of butter. A four-year-
made in one week eleven and quarter
pounds. These are all small COWS, and
give milk nine months out of the twelve.
These results were from grass alone. We
are now making nice yellow butter from
the milk of one jersey COW, and enough
of it for our family, besides using nearly
half of the milk. We have seen great
deal lately about IIolstcin COWS, but when
the amount of food consumed is taken into
the account, the Jerseys and the Ayr
shires will he found to be ahead for profit
An Ayrshire COW has raised two calves
this winter, and they are large and in fine
condition.-COi. Curtis, IN RuraI NcW
YORKER
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11

SILENT FORCES Workingmen in the
stone quarries sometimes find very hard
kind OF rock. They peck little grooves 70,
the iron wedges, and then. with great
sledge- drive and drive the wedge
into the llinty rock. And, yet, once in a
while, they fail to divide the solid mass.
The iron wedges and the sledges prove
useless, and the workmen wonder at the
stubborn rock. But there is yet another
way. The iron wedges are removed from
the narrow grooves. Then little wooden
wedges of II very hard fibre are selected.
The sharp, well made wooden wedges are
first put into water. They are then in.
serted in the grooves tightlywhile wet,and
water is kept in the grooves, land no sledge
is needed to drive them. They would
break under the severe blows of the pom
derous harmer. But the workmen Just let
the wet wedges alone. They will do what
the driven iron failed to do.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11

ty of Natural History, Vol. X, DIR. Bry-
ant gives the results of detailed examina-
ton of the structure of the yellow-bel-
lied woodpecker, and from his account
wish to quote rs follows: " In the
stomachs of six individuals examined
by me, fragments of inner bark were
found in all, so that it can hardly be
presumed to have been accidentally intro
duced. 1t is evident from the shape OF
the tongue that it is not used as dart, in
the manner of the true wOodpecker, to
draw out insects from their lurking places.
Insects, however, Iprobably form their
chief diet, as all the stomachs examined
also contained insects, the quantity OF
which was greater than that of the frag-
ments of bark. In one bird were two
lurve of boring beetle so large that there
was not room for both in the stomach at
once, and one remained in the lower part
of the esophagus."
that this bird eats the inner bark of many
kinds of trees, and also that it eats great
many insects, and ] do not, with what
knowledge l at present have on the sub
iect, feel able to decide either for oil
against the bird. 1t seems most probable
that, in prairie region, where every tree
is treasure, the injury would exceed the
benefit but in regions where trees can be
spared | think it would be best to thinl
twice with considerable interval between
the thinkings before destroying them. The
above named interval should be well useC
in investigating as thoroughly as possible
the habits of the bird. That this or any
other woodpecker is sap-sucker do moi
at all believe. Whatever they may bC
after, it is not that. The spectacle Of c
bird with the bill and tongue of even the
yellow-bellied woodpecker sucking sap is
one which most vigorous effort of the
Imagination wholly fails to bring before
my mind. The bird seems to be of II jovia
disposition, and especially to enjoy ham
mering with its bill. They make theil
appearance in Vermont about sugar
making time, and announce their presence
by the rapid tapping on branches or trunk.
of trees, sides of buildings or anywhere
that their fancy may lead them. In a let
ter to DIR. Brewer, and published in Vol
III. of North American Birds" Mr.
Paine says that where Il loud, ringing
noise can be produced they delight tc
drum. Empty sap buckets are highly
agreeable to them. Upon these the birc
will drum apparently with the greatest
delight. At times they would experiment
upon the tin pals, but, being unable to OBJ
tain good standing ground, they did mo-
follow it up. On such occasions th9ii
drumming did not appear to be done in
pursuit of worms or food, but was evi
IDENTIFY for their own entertainment.
In concluding this series of articles
wish to express the desire that any one
who has any tLcts 10 communicate
respecting the last named, or any of the
other species of woodpecker found in Yer
mont, will send them to me.
University of Vermont and State Agri
cultural College, June 3, 1879.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11

ton in coming 10 maturity. Not so with
other insects, such as the cricket the grass
hopper, bugs and plant lice. With these
the change is only partial. For instance,
the young grasshopper has no wings when
first released from the egg, and he is then
obliged to " foot it," or hop it." on all
occasions. After while he casts off his
old skin, and as his body grows, imperfect
wings make their appearance. He now
becomes great eater and grows rapidly
in length and size, and ere long his wings
become available, and as soon us he reach
es the stature of perfect grass-hopper, he
can both hop and fly as best suits his pur-
pose. The three periods in his life are
marked by corresponding changes in form,
power and habit. In the period of infan-
cy he is called Idrrg. This name is APP
piled to grubs, caterpillars and maggots,
and to all insects that undergo a complete
transformation, as well us to the grass
hopper, bugs, and to all young insects be-
fore their wings begin to appear. In this
wingless state insects pass most of theii
time in eating, and often shed their skins.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11

Dock ENTERMINATOR.-"C." of Roads,
stown, o., sends us a sketch of an imple-
ment he has used with satisfaction for a
dozen of years. in exterminating docks
and other nOXious weeds. As the imple-
ment is much the same shape as the old
fashioned grub hoe, except that both
blades extend out from the center, alike.
an engraving was not considered necessa-
ry, in connection with &C. s" description,
which was as follows:
This hoe or "exterminator" is IL inches
long, the broad end 3 IA inches, and the
narrow end l So inches wide-the hoe
blades each inches long, and the curve
of each is like that of an adj. This tool
was made by our German blacksmith,
and keep it in nearly constant use for 4
to months of every year. Docks, on the
place of $50 acres,are few and far between
1t is Il garden hoe as well as dock hoe
| generally use the narrow end for dock
pllntain, etc. 1t mellows up hard and
baked ground, nicely. 1t need not weigh
over 20 ounces. Mine is made of iron
laid with spring steel.
In emergency, use all tools against
dock, thistles, etc. Eternal vigilance j.
the watchword against these noxious
plants. When going through the farm
without tool in my hand, | resort to 4
stick, the jack-knife, or the toe and heel o
my boot, against the pests. If all lane
proprielors would fight persistently, this
ties and docks, ETC., would soon be exter
minated. When the frost first comes ou
of the ground in the spring, docks can bC
easily pulled out, entire. This spring
many were nearly cast out by the frost
alone, and vigilant eyes saw the opportu
nifty, no doubt, of finishing up the job with
the hands.
have been u subscriber to the Farmer
of and on, ever since it started, but never
was so much interested in it as now.
have often felt that ought to contribute
something to pay for benefits received
This year l used liquid manure on my
strawberry plants, now one year old from
settings, and they are Towering magnili
Gently. The spring drouth continues here
unabated. Apple blossoms make only ;
moderate show; other fruits full.-Ohi,
Farmer.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11

A fine rain last week, and just what
was needed. In many portions of the
state the drouth was pinching pretty Sc
verely, grass was curling up, and even
with this rain, the dry weather of May
must materially diminish the hay crop in
many sections. The dry weather has
brought grass forward very fast, and hay
ing will come on early, and hoeing and
haying will iostle each other, and the
farmer will need to exercise much care
and vigilance to prevent grass from stand
ing till too ripe, for the .hoeing will not all
be done, and everybody hates hoeing in
haying time.
Use the cultivator pretty freely-it will
keep down lots of the weeds, even if you
cannot follow up with the hoe. Especially
will that be the case when the corn is in
check rows and can be cultirated both
VdlS
We are trying in our cornlield two
ways Of planting, one with check
rows three and Il half feet apart each
way, and in drills with rows three and
II half feet apart and kernels every nine
inches. Both are manured equally well,
and being of the same kind of soil, and as
they will be cultivated alike we hope to
gain some idea of which way will give
the best results.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11

RAISING PIGs.-The most important
thing for the swine breeder ut this season
of the year is, to get the greatest possible
growth from his spring pigs. There is no
period in the life of a hog when so great Il
return for the food consumed is possible
as during the first six months, and it is
here that the advantages of skillful feed.
ing are apparent. Unless great care be
taken, the growth of the pig will be seri-
ously checked when it is from three to five
weeks old. The milk of the dam, which
was ample to promote Il rapid growth in
the litter of pigs during the first two or
three weeks, is not sufficient to answer the
demands of the same litter as they grow
older; hence the pigs should early be
taught to look elsewhere for part of their
sustenance. This is Ian easy matter; a
little milk or nutritious food of any kind,
in liquid form, placed conveniently by.
where the pigs can have access to it at ali
times, but beyond the reach of the sow,
will soon do the work; and it should be
replenished frequently through the day. If
this is attended to, there will be no
stunning" of the pigs at this critical
period, and their growth will be uniform
and rapid. A good clover pasture is val
liable adjunct, and helps wonderfully. The
true secret of successful pork making is to
push the pig from the date of birth until it
is big enough for the market; and the
earlier the age at which this point can be
reached, the greater is the return for the
food consumed
A slop made of corn and oats, ground
in about equal parts, with Il little oil meal
added, makes the best food for the sow
while sucking, to increase the flow of
milk; and this, with clover pasture and
plenty of soaked corn during the summer,
will promote rapid and healthy growth
of the pigs National Lire Stock Journal,
Chicago.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11

BETTER CRoPs AND LARGER PROFITS.
The great truth we have so frequently
enforced and urged upon the readers OF
the american Agricu,turiSt, is coming to
be better understood. viz, that the profits
of soil culture depend far more upon the
yield per acre, than upon the number OF
acres gone over. Thus: If so acres re-
quire $500 expense of ones own or others
labor, for teams, implements and seed-to
work, harvest and market crops equiva-
lent to II bushels of wheat per acre, worth
81 per bushel, there is profit of only
800, to pay interest on land, taxes, etc.
On 100 acres the gross profits are 5000
If now, by the use of fertilizers, oil
otherwise, we can raise the products to an
equivalent of 20 bushels of wheat per acre
with the same expense of labor, teams
seed, harvesting, interest and taxes, the 81
acres will yield gross profit of $500. OIL
81 900 on 100 acres. Or % bushels per
acre would give gross profit, less cost OF
fertilizers, of $3.50 on so acres and 81, 800
on 100 acres.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11

AGRICULTURE IN JApAN.-In practical
agriculture the Japanese are remarkably
skillful and successful. In no country in
the world is an acre made to produce
more human food, kept cleaner from
weeds, or which maintains its fertility
from generation to generation more per-
fectly. The great features of their agri-
culture are irrigation, fertilization by
liquid manure repeatedly applied to the
growing crops, cleanliness of culture,
thoroughness of tllage, constant cropping
of lands without deterioration, extreme
simplicity and economy of method, involv-
ing the minimum of expense for seed,
manure and tools, and the extraordinary
scarcity of domestic animals and teams,
with agricultural machinery. More than
100000 acres of lands growing rice are
irrigated, to accomplish which mountains
have been tunneled, immense reservoirs
constructed, thousands of miles of canals
and millions of miles of smaller water
courses dug, and the whole vast territory
terraced, leveled and enclosed The
japanese farmers understand the
value of ashes, plaster, lime, fish pomace,
seaweed and green crops in the fertiliza-
ton of the land, but they rely chiefly upon
night soil. Weeds are almost unknown
on their arabic lands, and on acre after
acre not single wild plant can be found
The implements of tillage are the spade
and mattock, and deep cultivation is uni
versally practiced.-Prdirie Farmer.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11

TIE CRoPS.-The latest information
from different parts Of the country gives
assurance of heavy crops everywhere.
The recent abundant and widespread rains
have removed the alarm of farmers, es
peciallv in the west and north west, with
regard TO the injury likely to be caused by
a prolonged drought. From all sides con.
fidence is now expressed of an unusually
fine harvest. The accounts from Ohio
Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Dakota,
Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska Indicate a
large increase in the production of cereals.
Throughout the great wheat region the
acreage under wheat is considerably larr-
er than last year, owing to the new land
taken up and cultivated, and because the
dryness of the early part of the season en-
II wet spring. Spring wheat, as rule,
looks well, but the production of this sort
is yearly diminishing. The corn corp
will be larger this year than ever before,
according TO present estimates. Here and
there fruit has been somewhat injured by
late frosts, but on the whole a heavy yield
is confidently expected. The reports with
regard to barley and oats promise heavy
crops. The welcome rains have given the
grass fiue start, and the fears entertained
early in the season of short hay crop
are pow replaced by high hopes of an I'M
usually abundant one. Out west the
cultivated or tame grasses are being ex-
tensively introduced with very satisfactory
results. The outlook for agriculture this
year is, on the whole, highly encouraging.
-RurdL Ne20 Yorker.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-11

Many Of our unfortunate farmers who
have lost their land, have yet some proper
ty saved to them under exemption laws
These may sometimes rent land, and
sometimes why may they not rent or buy
in company, and till in company? Farm
ers are too Independent, we are told. to do
well in business association. They pull
all ways, quarrel and break up. These
times ought to bring-with their other
lessons-thc lesson that such ''ndepen-
dence" is utter folly. If good men will
join to farm together as company under
the general laws of the states, with simple
but strict rules and sharp penalties for
their violation. there is no reason, why five
or ten men cannot take hold of II piece of
land sufficient to give them profitable
employment, hang together, make II living
and more too. 1t is Il good school, not
only of fellowship but of farming, and all
having the benefit of what each knows.
Such farmers club" ought to make
cooperation n SUCCESSFUL. HoSkinS, in
Rural NeaO Yorker.