Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-03-22
Farmers, Meeting at South Bloomfield.

for this place was held iu the Village Hall
on Thursday and Friday. March 1elh and
18th. At little before IL o'clock on the
morning of the first day the meeting was
called to order by Mr.. Davis, when c. NJ.
Smith, Esq, was elected chairman.
Mr.. Davis then made few remarks
concerning the work ofthe board and what
it is hoped to accomplish at this meeting.
To this end he invited the hearty co-opera-
tion of all present. The secretary was de-
tanned by sickness at home. and the gov
ernor was recalled from Lunenburgh on
business and could not remain, which he
deeply regretted.
There we're present-NIessrs. Lane, Davis,
Goodwin, Pember and Towle. members of
the board.
After selection from the choir. who
kindly volunteered to assist in the exercises
of the evening, Mr.. Lane gave lecture
on Commercial fertilizers" He spoke
principally from his own experience and
observation. The results experienced by
him have been very variable,-sometimes
producing good results, again medium, and
at other times appearing 10 be Of little
benefit. lie is of opinion that four fifths
the commercial fertilizers used in the state
is at loss. This may be in part due to
an inferior article or to an improper APP
plicatlon. These fertilizers, such as super
phosphates, are not alike needed on all
soils, and in consequence the results Will
vary greatly, causing the farmer in one
instance to consider the fertilizer worth
less, when in fact such Is not the case rs
there is already sufficient amount in the
soil Again thnra ia comatimas n failure
from ignorance in the application. FAR
mers should study the character OF thelr
soil to find whether potash or phosphoric
acid is needed or not, in order that the APP
plicstion may be made understandings
The locality OF farmer, as relating 10
markets and freights, Will have much 10 90
with the successful use OF these fertilizers.
They may be made perhaps valuable AID
to better farming by using in connection
with stable manure; but would rather ad-
wise greater attention to drainage, proper
rotation OF crops, good cultivation the
feeding oil grain to animals Tor the proouc-
ZION OF more manure ana Oh superior
quality, as better than relying TO any great
extent on purchased fertlll1crs. lie spoke
OF the value oil the clover crop as an aiu IN
the improvement OF our farms' either 10
iced or plow under ior renoVatinS pur-
poses. lie thinks that 1t is mistake 70
sell SO mucn nay AS IS now Dclng zone Us
the ultimate object must be the deteriora-
ton OF the SOIL. would feed STOCK 1or the
purpose OF making manure believing that
II thlS can De ootalned clear OF expense II
VIII pay well LOT the LABOR ana trouble.
AT the conclusion oil the lecture a con-
siderable discussion ensueo' bringing out
some facts worthy OF attention.
Mr.. Burbank stated that superphospnate
is largely used on potatoes. lie urged TO
pillow their pastures put on phosphate ana
raise large quantities oil potatoes on NIL
farms this practice was followed up pretty
extensively tue potatoes oeinS sofa 70 tue
starch factories. Inc yield at hrst was
large, but continued cropping WITH niue
manure injured the lana very mucn lot
pasture when it was devoted again to tins
purpose. On the river farms potash works
wei, the soil peins sahuy loam' CIoNer
does well, put no very great amount is
sown.
MIR. Lane said that clover Is valuable
aid in renovating land in his part OF the
state, moving it two years and then plow-
ing, when the ground Is inll OF the clover
roots. II sowing clover alone uses 10 IDS
if timothy then use less.
Mr.. Burbank asked II all the manures
should be applied broadcast or part put
in the hill P
Mr.. Lane would apply all broadcast
Mr.. Burbank stated that II was. the prac
tice OF the farmers here to manure corn in
the hill, also applying some broadcast
Last season tried the experiment OF put
ting all the manure on broadcast and with
good effect. =. :.
The chairman asked Mr.. Lane If il
would be advisable to put superphosphate
| a., sod land ha Thought il miphi In nv