Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-09-08

beneath the stable is cemented, and dry
earth is used as an absorbent. There is one
basement stable where young cattle are kept,
and underneath it is trench that is ce-
mented to hold the liquid manures that per-
colate through the floor. This trench is
filled with muck, sawdust or other absorb
ents and emptied and filed once year.
In the center of his barnyards is a cistern
to hold the wash Of the barnyards. The APP
plication of liquid manures is still under
consideration with view of saving, easy
handling and even distribution.
This farm has a southern inclination from
its wood.crowned hills through the pas
lures, fields and meadows to the river. 1t
lays warm, yet in those gently descending
fields the oozing of cold spring water pre-
vented cultivation and gave wild grasses
sure foothold. The former owner had stone
walls to divide the fields. The general de-
cided that both water aud walls must be put
out of sight; so last year system OF ditch
ing was pushed vigorously, and mile or
ulOTt VI WoIb WIN oeChSt
and the land greatly improved. This
spring about one hundred and fifty rods Of
ditch as been dug, and await either stone
or tile. The ditch is about two and half
to three feet deep, and varies in width ac-
cording TO the need of tile or stone. The
cost of digging was from twenty-five to
forty cents per rod mostly done by one man,
who is now helping in the farm work,
while ditching by the job he paid board) &.
Bountiful crops of wheat are showing the
benefit of last years draining, and the open
drains and others that are planned show
the careful study that has been given to the
matter. As we walked about, the general
grew enthusiastic over prospective bur-
led walls, smooth fields and large crops.
would especially mention one field of
eleven acres in fodder corn. The field was
underdrained, plowed aud MANFRED. The
rich manure from the basement was evenly
spread by Kemp's manure spreader; it was
pulverized with Butler harrow aud marked
for rows eighteen inches apart; western corn
was dropped and covered by hand at the rate
Of three bushels per acre, and now dense
growth of foliage covers the ground and
promises maximum yield. Probably there
Is not another as good and as large piece
In the state. What will he do with it He
will make pit in his barn basement 15x45
aud perhaps fifteen feet deep, and when the
corn has approached the frost line, cart it
from the field to the barn floor aud run it
through cutter worked by horse power,
and the green juicy mass will be trodden
solidly into the pit, or silo, and preserved and
fed, according to the new system of "ensl-
age" General Grout visited DIR. Bailey at
Billerica last winter TO see the stock that
was fed upon this ensilage, and was so well
pleased with the results that he Immediately
began preparing to supplement his large
crops of hay and grain with ensilaged fodder
corn. There are several other noteworthy
points in his practice of farming, but having
respect to your space would close by men
tioning some or the leading ideas that will
be illustrated on this farm. Have good
stock, abundance of food, save the manure,
apply it TO good soil TO nourish profitable
crops. u, b. JAMESON.