Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-12-07
Farmers Meeting at CastIetOu.

ing at this place on Thursday and Friday,
Dec. LIST and I'd. There were present DR.
Cutting, and Messrs. Davis. Lane, Good
win and Towle. members of the board.
The meeting WAS organized on Thurs
day morning, al IL o'clock. by the choice
of d. d Cole. of Castleton. as president,
and A. E. Hinckley, also of Castleton, as
vice president,
The secretary made some Introductory
remarks, in which he proceeded to show
the value Of what is termed book learn
ing, by giving some examples of failure
from farmers who we're opposed TO the
theory, which we're quite conclusive He
advised judicious selection of books on
different branches of agriculture as of
great use in the farmers family. He also
recommended the barometer as useful
instrument, from the study Of which NAV
often be obtained valuable results, saving
considerable expense at times in Judging
of the future state of the weather. He
considers three tons of grass per acre
about as much as can be produced at 9
single crop. In many parts of the state
not over one ton Is obtained per acre, but
this can be greatly increased by good
management, and at no very great ex-
pense. He advised great care 10 the selec-
ton of seed In order to get the best, and
in this way very materially increase the
yield and improve the quality. The ex-
perience of farmers is wanted in any mat
ter that concerns their occupation, and q
free discussion Is invited as of interest to
all.
Next DR.. j. M. Currier, of Castleton,
made some remarks upon "Encysted kid
ney of hog" This was illustrated by
the kidney in question. portion of thi.
organ was encased in sac which was fill
ed with water, and the kidney was inflsm-
ed. Although this organ was diseased the
meat Of the animal was not affected. The
hog did not appear to be at all unhealthy.
IL the kidney had become entirely destroy.
ed the other would have performed the
necessary function.
DR.. Cutting said that the inhabitants oil
India do not draw the blood in killing,
considering this element necessary for the
best condition of the meat, and they ca,
The meat of animals dying from fevers
Some nations will eat frogs or the flesh OF
The horse. etc. such is the force of custom
Sometimes an accident or injury may not
affect deeteriously the entire animal.
but great Judgment would necessarily b,
required to determine it. The doctor
so earnestly believed In by some people
lie spoke in earnest terms of our state; o
our advantages as compared with the west
and is of the opinion that we should moro
appreciate them and still better improve
our opportunities. If young man will
settle down in Vermont as they are com
PEELED to do in many parts of the west
deprived of almost everything that con
duces to comfort and convenience, he will
do equally as well. But this is not desira
BILE nor necessary. We are always sure o
seed time and harvest. while failure il
crops are very frequent at the west.
Twelve o'clock having arrived. adjourn
ed until afternoon, the attendance hav
ing been all that could be expected in sucl
a violent storm.
AFTERNOON.
At 2 o'clock Prof Perkins, of Burlin9
ton, spoke on 1.-The Advantages of th
Study of Natural History to Farmers.
We must not merely study the books OIL
this subject. although this is necessary
but there must be something of practica
nature in observation. Coming in direc
contact with nature in all her forms, farm
ers as class have great advantages il
this respect. The farmer needs to know
his friends in the birds so that he may pre-
} serve those that are so beneficial in tn
destruction of insects. The same ma,
also be said of toads We should stud,
the habits of these, SO as to be able t.
distinguish between the good and bad
J He referred TO the English sparrows i'm
, ported to this country and not being al
insect eating bird but destructive of grain
and small fruits, they are not to be en-
couragsd but should rather be destroyed
or in time they will be the source of grea
annoyance and loss. AS regards the robin
Investigation shows that these birds liv
chiefly on insects, and although they ma,
I destroy some of the small fruits, he be
li6ves they should be protected, AS an ali
' to agriculture. There are also many othe
small birds, as the blue bird, the thrush
etc, that should not be molested. AL
though some may consider the woodpecke
as injurious to our fruit trees, yet it reall
does not damage the tree by sap sucking
but its object is TO get at worms that ar
injurious to the trees. The professor
NV CClthtu WuCluCk LILO WV" ohOhid "
protected or not, but is satisfied that yer
, few birds in this state are injurious.
He believes the raccoon and the skun
are beneficial to the farmers in the de
struetion of vermin. He has found tina
toad. will eat the potato and squash bug
an argument in favor ofits preservation
, English gardeners import toads as an al
), in the destruction of insects that may b
clsssed BY the thousands in their variou
species.
The professor earnestly requested farm
, ers and others to study these matters 70
themselves, both in the books and particu
larly by careful observation, that the
may he better enabled to Judge of what ar
and what are not his friends is the anima
kingdom.
This address although short was yer
interesting and it ID to be hoped that a
who listened to it will be benefited.
DIR. Cutting said that Prof. Perkins di
not give credit to the English sparrow;
had, however, freed the trees from tn
worm for which purpose it was brough
. here. Considers the robin an injuriou
, bird. If in planting squashes one thick
ness of newspaper is put over the hill, a
= uADStT tHC Jugs Will uNOiuOu
the vines will do better. The same is ais
true of cucumbers. This is worth remem
bering by all having garden.
MIR Lane followed this with his pa
per on Economy in Feeding" after whic
Mr.. Davis made some remarks on the sub
/ ject under consideration the subjec
? changing to that of butter and cheese. II
inquired if in feeding stock we general
get fair market price for our hay an
Z grsnP Much depends upon the selectio
, of stock for feeding, as there is great i'm
portance in this.
Finds young thrifty steers the best wit
which to utilize straw and coarse fodder
when supplemented with a REASONABLE
amount OF grain or cotton seed meal, whic
is better. For soiling crop uses winterry
to be followed by corn. Raises two crop
year generally on the same field, and /
this way produces large amount of foo
= from the land with abundance of manure
!. While we would gladly avail ourselve
of the creamery system or cheese factorie
. our selfishness is likely to prevent; unto
stores and oranges should be success BIT
we're not.
!, We could do better to combine our herd
A.