Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-02-25

had used Il with excellent results, especially
in growing clover and had kept one piece of
grass in good burden for seven years by top
dressing with plaster. He believed, as the
old woman said, tho way is TO buy a little
special fertilizer, so they could raise little
more fodder, SO they could keep another COW
and make more manure, and thus get start.
He believes Vermont can buy commercial fer
tilizers with profit, but first of all we should
save all made on the farm. He turns under
clover in some cases, but where there is fair
crop he wants to skim top and bottom of the
milk, and cut the crop to feed and let the
roots rot in the ground.
Col. Mead was called on TO continue the
discussion on fertilizers. He approved in the
main Mr.. Lanes paper, but not in all. 1t
must depend largely ON the location and con-
dition of the soil. The fertilizing elements
in stable manures and commercial fertilizers
are identical. No chemist has ever or can
ever invent new fertilizing element. He
did not believe the soil had ever become ex-
hausted. 1t may, by cropping, become poor
in some Ingredients but when these are sup
piled the equilibrium is restored, and good
crops result. He spoke of the results gained
in crop of corn by the addition of about So
worth of potash, giving him crop of 80
bushels per acre but on another portion of
his farm phosphoric acid was needed, and we
must learn what the soils need, and apply only
what is needed. He spoke of feeding stock
for the results in the manurial product. He
believed corn could be raised in Randolph for
80 cents per bushel, and that is cheaper than
it can be bought; but for purchased foods he
commended the use of cotton-seed meal.
Mr.. Walbridge gave his experience in using
plaster. He made test on q quarter of an
acre. where 100 pounds of plaster were used.
On the plat he raised 100 bushels of potatoes.
On a similar plat, without plaster, he harvest
ed but about 80 bushels,
At the Montpelier meeting discussion on
birds was introduced by Prof G. H. Perkins.
Each bird of any distinction seemed to have
both his special friends and his enemies among
the speakers but the greatest difference of
opinion appeared on the merits of the crow
Mr.. Swazey laid awake nights to hate him.
Crows cost him $50 every year, and had done
him more than $25 damage in one morning
| Prof. Perkins, however, confessed to a tender
regard for the crow. Crows eat grubs, hold
caucuses and town meetings, and have an ac-
curate judgment about the range of shot
gun. After a lengthy discussion, in which
several speakers participated, the case of the
crow was put to vote, and triumphantly de-
cided in his favor, two to one. Prof. Perkins
had less sentiment for the robin, remarking
that there is great deal of sentimental talk
about the robin, fit only for young ladies'
boarding schools where they live on chalk and
slate pencils, but he believed him, on the
whole, beneficial bird. He had sometimes
saved the cotton crop south by appearing in
great numbers and eating the worm which
threatened the crop, and he destroys the grass.
hoppers in Kansas DIR. Hoskins liked the
robin, but thought him an expensive luxury.
The crow was the farmers friend and helper
Gov Farnham spoke at considerable length
on the subject of small farms and small farm
ers.
Mr.. Skinner read paper on butter, which
we print entire:
Butter is a common noun, 1t is said,
But IL Is proper when properly made;
It's then the best food to eat with our bread,
Nothing that's common will do in its stead.
1t is made common by theories taught;
It is made proper by practical thought.
The one is a loss the other gain;
The best people want, and want again.
First, let us commence in a proper way,
By filling our barns with early-eut hay;
With plenty of bran and corn-meal that's good,
Storing nothing but pure, nutritious food.
Select the best cows from best approved breed,
Stable with comfort and give them their feed.
Take COWS with the largest and CROOKED milk veins
With powers Of digestion till nothing remains;
With hair soft and Sleek with eyes soft and full
Skin that is yellow comes under the rule
or cows for butter. IT'S well tried aud true
That such selections will always pay you.
Then let cleanliness in all things abound,
1t always is next to godliness found.
No filth in the barn, no Nth 4 COW,
And no filth any where can we allow.
No offensive odors should enter where
We set the rich milk and watch II with care;
No odors from sink or sophoe close by;
No stenches from vault conveniently nigh;
The air Of the milk-room should be sweet, even
As the pure air that comes down from heaven,
Without the least faint borne upon its wings
That's poisonous, or of any impure things.
Theonode of setting is disputed ground,
But am convinced by trying all around,
Taking experience for the true test,
OF all the methods the old ways the best,
) OF pure, cool air and an open setting,
With windows sufficient for light admitting.
The old maxims tfue-we mustn't forget it.
, That all good cream will rise If we letit
Then let it be skinned the twenty-fourth hour
OF its setting, or at least before It is sour;
II the temperature has been kept right,
. The cream will show 1t at the frst sight.
After skimming, the churning is begun
Butter is better the sooner it's done;
We should not wait long to let the cream cure,
If We want an article sweet and pure.
As 10 kind Of churn, 1t ID now confessed
That churns without any floats are the best;
They bring the butter out in nice grain,
And let its beautiful texture remain.
In washing butter we never use ice,
For IL 1t is chilled IL won't keep so nice.
When washed clear, sailing at this time is place.
This is carefully done, to suit the taste.
Il In working, take care and not overdo;
just work the salt in evenly and true;
Do not grind it-leave the grain sound and brigh
= Then send it to market when it's all right.
Now, when diligently done in this way
The business always is sure of good pay;
When 1t happens that no profit lie won,
j., We know 1t Is due to the trdy IL is done.
Bat, to end this odd, rafting effusicn,
l. Allow me to say, in its conclusion,
No one should ever be allowed to teach,
9 Except they will practice that which they preach
q Mr.. Skinner said he now used pans of
) own contriving, which are 10 inches long,
wide and six deep, holding about six gallon
II | uses a barrel churn, turning endWise