Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-01-07
Waitsleld Meeting.


was called at the Congregational vestry
on Monay. the 29th ult.
The meeting first discussed the keeping
Of hogs, and Mr.. Tinkhnm related the
experience Of Judge Crossett, as given at
Waterbury; how he had ex,erminaled the
brakes in his pastures by turning in hogs. |
Col Mead gave The practice of Mr.. W.
II. Gilmore Of Fairlee in pasturing his
hogs He also winters bis shotes in the
barnyard, where they chew and eat corn
butts, and, working over the manure. get
u fair living and DO excellent work in
composing.
Some spirited discussion was had on
The Use Of sawdust for absorbent in stables.
Mr.. Kneeand thought it IN excellent sub
stance for the pnrpose, while Mr.. Josl,n
thought sawdust was damage, and said
that the farmers in Massachusetts who
bought manure from large villages would
not pay nearly rs much for saw,'ust ma.
nnre as for that where straw or soil was
used AS bedding; the result reached being
that it WAS better TO use sawdust than
nothing, hut that muck or good loan was
the best for use.
Following this and growing ont of it
was discussion on the application of
manure whether it should be spread on
the surface, and if it loses in value if so
spread. and how?
Prof Atwster thought there would be
little loss unless the soil was porous
enough so that the liquid portions would
pass below the easy reach OF the roots, or
in sandy soils it may be " burned out " be.
FIRE it can he appropriated by the plant.
Mr.. Joslyn thought manure was better
fitted for plant growth where it had been
drawn out the summer before and left in Il
pile till spring.
Another gentleman said he did not care
| how soon after the manure was made il
WAS applied 10 the soil for the crop.
The meeting opened very briskly, a
good deal of interest was manifested, and
the audience asked questions freely, which
helps in interest very much.
In the afternoon Prof. Atwater took ND
tie first part Of the session in discussing
the question of fertilizers. after which
The suhjrct of farm barns was taken up.
Col. Mead describing his idea of what
Should be embraced in such barn, which
should Re. first, beginning at the bottom, a
good cellar or basement under each barn.
The saving OF manures is now one OF the
most important Of the questions which
confront the farmer at the present dav,
and good barn cellar, with plenty of alb
sorbing m Material, will 90 far toward soly.
ing the qu' slion. The minor parts must
be arranged according TO the location, or
the Use desired; but another thing which
he considers equally desirable with the
cellar, is an elevated driveway leading to
, an upper floor, SO that the hay can be
draun up, and then let gravitation do the
work till the manure has found its place
| III tHe CtllaT.
Mr.. Tinkham gave some account of sew
eral barns be had visited in varions part.
of the state, which had the important
] items named, and every farmer, withou
= exception, who had them spoke of them a.
! uost important and practically indisp ensa
bile. after once having been used. An,
: Farmer about to build barn should not d,
I till he had examined some of the barn,
= having such II driveway and floor.
/ In The evening Prof. Atwater continued
/ his remarks on fertilizers, evidently to III,
/, interest Of the audience. AT the close O
t Prof. Atwater's lecture Mr.. Tinkhap
spoke bril- fly on dairy matters and Mrs
Geo. o. Boyce read n short poem, hicl
we hope TO give entire
The attendance was excellent. the peo
pie Of The Mad river valley turning on
: with their usual enthusiasm, were grea,l,
interested in the meetings. and aske
i questions freely and intelligently, and th
= meetings were of the best.
l. Waitsfield is the natural centre of Fays
t ton, and they want another meeting thi
o winter for Fayston, and if they have il
will be bigger meeting even than this.