Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-08-11
July 3lst, 1890.
JOttings at MeadOwbrOOk Farm.

am glad that "A Young Farmer has
given the readers of the GREEN MOUNT.
AIN FREEMAN such interesting articles
about "odd Jobs on the farm" and when
he gets through with this question, it is tc
be hoped that he will write something else
equally as interesting, and talk over those
matters which he says he would like TO-
Let us hear from him often. | consider
agricultural papers ono of the very best
places for farmers to ventilate their ideas
And why farmers do not oftener write fol
their paper, is more than | can tell, but
believe one reason to be found in the fact
that they are afraid of criticisms but why
should they bep If an argument is
brought up, some good is likely to be
done, and more interest is likely to be
taken in the paper in which the articles
appear. Due regard however, should be
had for each others feelings, and no I'M
kind or disreSpectfu words used rs we
often see, but all differences discussed in
n friendly manner. Brother farmers
please give us your views on different farm
topics in these columns. Previous to the
appearance of the Colorado beetle, pOta-
toes were my favorite crop, but at then
appearance thought they would be Il very
poor crop to raise, and so for a few years
did not take much interest in them; but
more recently, since we have learned how
to doctor" them, am, year by year,
taking more interest in this crop, for |
find that satisfactory crops can yet be
raised. In fact | have sometimes con-
sidcred if the beetles were not blessing
in disguise, because they caused the grower
to pay stricter attention to the crop, by
giving it better cultivation; to hurry it
along and get good growth of vines, for
it is apparent that ifa satisfactory crop is
TO be raised now, COOL ground and good
cultivation must be had. This wear we
wished to have more flowers than what
the beds would contain, so we decided TO
plant some in the garden in rows, and
like the idea very well; and rs the culiva-
tor is run between the rows several times,
not such a great deal of hand labor is re-
quired, and the plants have plenty ofroom
to branch out. A very common mistake
that the majority of people make in the
cultivation of flowers is, that they do not
give them room enough in which to grow.
When the plants are young they look
small, and so they are not properly thin.
ned out, But if one will set Il few plants
where they can have n lot of room in
which to grow, the cultivator will be sur
prise1 to sec what fine plants can be had :;
and one real nice plant is worth half a
dozen poor ones. | wish every farmer
loved flowers. for there is great deal of
pleasure to be derived from their culture
if one really takes an interest in them,
On most farms hens have their liberty and
ramble where they please-in the grass.
beating it down, in grain fields, Germ field
and garden, TO say nothing about their
being all over the barn and door-yard, and
house top, which | always considered n
great nuisance; and for the last three
years have kept them the most of the
time in place made especially for them,
and am so we'll pleased with the arrange
ment that do not propose to let them run
at large in future, but little; but intend
to enlarge their quarters to ut least half
an acre, and erect house better suited to
their accommodation, and one which will
be elsier to keep clean. 1t should be
either ceilcd or plastcred inside, SO as to
have smooth surface which can be easily
whie-washed, and this operation should
be done at least twice year. In the
FREEMAN of July IA, l notice an extract
from the Nce0 England Farmer. signed
tx" who makes Il "a Plea for Dogs. -
Now must plead guilty to being one of
those who call them worthless ours"
for claim that large majority of them
are such, at least they are in this locality.
And should like to see the tax that is
now imposed on them, multiplied by ten,
for then we should hear less of people be.
ing injured by horses running away, and
also OF that terrible disease, hydrophobia
and, besides, sheep raising would be much
more profitable; for shall have to assert
that dogs do kill and MAIN many sheer
here, whatever they may do in Maine
And let me ask, if "K's" dog has not beer
caught in sheep trap? +. II. d.