The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-12-30
Farmers Meeting at New Haven.

nesday, Dec. 20 and 81. Tho meeting
was organized by the choice of Hon. T..
>. Dana, of New Haven, as chairman,
after which the secretary, DIR. Cutting,
gave an address on the object and work
of the board. lie then spoke of the
fertilization of plants; a subject that is
always interesting to farmers and ex-
cites much discussion. AS his remarks
were new | report somewhat of them.
The farms of Vermont suited to Gull
tivation arc small, as compared with
those of the west, AMI perhaps worked
at a greater cost of labor, vet the in
creased yield per acre and the better
prices realized should
farmers here to do the best they can
with the expectation of satisfactory and
Immediate results, and at tho same
time be gradually improving their
farms. He spoke of the necessity of
experiment TO determine more particu-
larly what elements of fertilization
were necessary on each farm, so that it
might be supplied in the most economi-
cal n Thus the returns would
be more satisfactory.
If n of three elements is wanting
in the soil while there is enough of the
others, there will be o failure in the
crop, or partially SO; and in conse-
quence a knowledge of our soil is nee
essary, and such practical tests will
determine it. Farmers should inves-
tigate this matter for themselves, not
leaving it for the chemists to determine,
as "plot experiments will prove more
reliable and conclusive. If only potash
Is lacking, in some soils a superphos-
phate, the application of special fer
tiliZers containing such. supply, both
these with the addition of nitrogen will
be needed on some farms, but this is
not usual, hence the value of expert
ment.
Vermont is richer to-day, agriculture
ally, than ony other state in the Union,
and this should encourage us to fully
sustain its superiority and further seek
10 improve our condition by every
available means.
lie is satisfied that one-half the
manure made in the state is lost by
waste and application at the wrong
time. If this Is SO II present resources
in that direction may be greatly increas-
cd by application at the right time-iD
the winter-and also by moi using too
much at a time. as he believes that
more than what is required for the
crop is an injury. A small amount of
salt is beneficial as a fertilizer, but a
large amount would prove an injury F;
the same would also be true of potash,
or any other particular element. Also
if concentrated fertilizers are placed in
the hill for crops they will often prove
detrimental, from their strength. This
will be obviated by broadcast applica-
ton, or if only the harrow is used, by
mixing well with the soil. The food
for plants is taken up near the ends oil
The little rootlets that spread out in all
directions, hence the necessity of full
distribution of all fertilizers.
On inquiry most of the farmers pre-.
sent use plaster, and apply in the
spring. DR.. Cutting advised putting il
on in ihe winter, as he believes il will
produce double the benefit. as it re
quires a great amount of water to rem.
der 1t fully available. In this way il
will absorb the ammonia from the
melting snow and thus save and utilize
what would otherwise be lost. In tic
application Of yard manure he advised
spreading five or six large loads an 0
field of grass in winter, and treat al
equal J with double the amount in
the spring, and then note the result,
lie believes the first will prove fully as
efhcacious as the last, and if so all will
readily SEQ that there Is a gveat SAVING
of manure, that is, it can be spread Owe
twice the extent of territory and pro.
duce double the results at harvest time.
Would not pillow and re-seed meadows
that can be renovated by top ,dressing
with the addition of grass seed and har.
row. He sows a small amount of GLOW.
er every year or two to keep this excel
lent plant in the ground. Next to
winter manuring, autumn is to be pre-.
ferred, but believe the thrifty farmer
viii Use all that is made in winter.
A farmer asked If ii would be advis-
able to spread manure for corn this
winter on land that ia already plow-
ed?
DR.. Cutting replied in the afirma.
tive.
Another asked if plaster and ashes
should be mixed before using? The
reply was they should not; best TO be
applied separately.
lie advises the sowing Of grass seed
soon after having.
Ii horsc-manurc begins to heat, the
application of a little salt will prevent
1t. He recommended the putting OF
this manure in the hog pen to encour.
age the pigs TO work it over. One
farmer uses horse-manure in the COW
stable as an absorbent and finds it to
work well.
This lecture was very pleasing to The
farmers, and many questions were ask
ed and promptly answered, but the
session was prolonged 10 neal / d. M,
when they adjourned until 2 p. m.
AFTERNOON.
AT 2 p. M, Z. r. Towle gave an adj
dress upon q "More Diversified Hus-
bandry," which was well received and
contained many excellent points, but
as the address will be printed in full
we do not make any abstract.
This was followed by Mr.. Lane, on
"Commercial Fertilizers" Although
he has received much benefit from the
use of these fertilizers, yet he is of the
opinion that one-fifth of the farmers
using them fail OF getting return in in.
creased crops. These results are due
probably to many conditions, one of
which is that one brand win not be al.
ways adapted to all soils. He recommend
ed the plat experiments in order to
determine what is most needed. lie
gave numerous examples of the appli-
cation of different special fertilizers.
He said that the costly fertilizers
should never be put on land that is not
in the best physical condition, other
wise the liability TO loss will be much
greater; thinks there is much fraud in
the manufacture of patent fertilizers;
as we in Vermont arc not protected by
law, there is greater liability to i'm
position. If tho conditions are favora-
BILE there may be a good return for the
outlay for the fertilizers; but would
prefer purchasing feeding material for
stock, thus making more manure,