Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-03-16
AFTERNOON SESSION.

chairman, and an address given upon the
" Grass Crop" by E. NJ. Goodwin, mem
Der of the board, showing the great value
of our hay crop, and the advantages OF
bringing that crop up to the maximum
The product of hay in Vermont in 1856
was only S66,l53 tons: in 1870 it wa,
l,O2O,669 tons; in 1880 1854, l60 tons, Oh
about four tons TO each man, woman anC
child in the state. Let us welcome s
greater increase.
The producing power of the state could
be easily doubled, and if our crop wa,
thus doubled, so would our stock. Let us
select our grasses and use them 80 as tc
gain the largest crop. He recommends
redtop highly, but would associate it with
cloveI and herdsyrass. Clover is recon
mended as a leading crop in many sec
tlons, especially upon ordinary ground
He believes plaster to be very beneficial tc
clover, and on his own farm puts it on the
second year after seeding.
DR.. Cutting remarked that he believed
in bringing the land up to its maximum
capablily of production, but he could moi
do it under three years from the time OF
seeding down. He believed in the use oi
ashes as it gave him maximum results
but would advise the plat system of fer.
tiization to ascertain the needs of the
land, and then act on it.
Mr. Goodwin upon being questioned
about the relative value of early cut clover
and early cut herdsgrass gave his opinion
in favor of herdsgrass as more pei feet
feed.
Mr.. Newton remarked that he drew out
his manure in the winter, spreading it on
the land, as he found by experiment that
it was much better to get out manure in
the winter.
DIR. Cutting remarked that this was the
true method, as three inches of oil would
take up all the plant food contained in a
heavy coating of manure, and it would
not leach or run off, as it was supposed il
would.
Mr.. Bliss inquired if the manure would
not leach if spread on a side hill with ice
under itP
DIR. Cutting replied that there might be
cases where it would, but he had not met
with them, as the soil WAS so good an
absorbent of plant food that with the usual
amount of frost it did not wash off; neither
would it leach into the soil. as some sup.
posed.
Mr. Goodwin upon being questioned
said that he preferred early cut herdsgrass
because it contained more nutriment.
DIR. Cutting substantated the opinion OF
Mr.. Goodwin, by stating that as a result
of over forty different analyses of grasses
it was shown that timothy early cut as
compared to clover was as l0.4 tool.
Mr.. Bliss desired to inquire about ma
nuring side hills.
Mr.. Goodwin replied that he believed il
the best practice to manure in the winter.
DR.. Cutting advocated the same, and
said 1t was mistake 10 suppose that the
various elements of plant food were likely
to evaporate into the atmosphere, and the
only question of loss was from washing,
which was one of small moment, and from
what had been said he trusted all the
farmers would try experiments for them
selves and find out for their own case
which is best and act upon it.
Mr.. Bliss inquired if he would put on
his manure for corn crop in fall or win
terp
Mr.. Goodwin replied that he would, and
he believed in putting all manures on
broa least, and narrowing in we'll. but not
blowing under.
Mr.. Lane, member of the board, read
his paper on Commercial Fertilizers. "
He excepted all the various materials OF
plant food when sold separately and under
It's proper name, but deprecated the use Of
superphosphates and such supposed perfect
fertilizers as Slockbridge manures, ETC.,
which he believed never, or but seldom, al
most, paid their cost, and then the same
result would be attainable at less cost.
The evening session was opened at 7 IL
o'clock.
DIR. Cutting, secretary of the board
gave an address upon How plants grow
and how they feed" He illustrated ths
Lille principle in seeds. showing how soor
it departed from scme and how long 4
was retained by others. He illustrated
their growth and their peculiarities, tbei
manner of taking food both from th,