Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-06-28
Secretary Cuttings Statement.

As | am in receipt Of numerous letters OF in
quiry about suit brought against me by the
Bradley Fertilizer company OF Boston think best
to answer those inquiries through the press and
will first say that such suit has been brought,
turnable to the United States court at Windsor.
As to the query why suit has been brought by
company that has been benefited rather than in
jured by my lectures, as has so often been ex-
pressed to me, and by company for whose benefit
have allowed an address to be made by their
agent before one Of our meetings, which pub
lished and distributed, can only be answered on
the ground that all do not know when they are
well used. ! have, of course, tried to do my duty
as secretary Of our board OF agriculture, and in
doing have urged farmers TO depend upon them
selves, and by experiments ascertain the needs OF
their soil and use just what the soil required, and
not purchase commercial fertilizers unless they
could gain more by so doing than otherwise. |
have aimed to do my duty and my whole duty to
the farmers In this respect In answer to ques-
lions, | once referred to what heard and saw
when at one time visited the offices and works
Of the Bradley company; but my statements were
not as are set out In their writ To this they take
exceptions and bring suit but | will say TO the
farmers OF Vermont that expect to be able to
fully prove every assertion | have made in my
lectures, OF course have sometimes given an
opinion in relation to different soils, methods Of
feeding, etc, which further experiment may
show to be incorrect but In those cases and all
others have urged upon the farmers and still do
80 urge that those opinions about fertilization
plant feeding should not be accepted until proven
In experiments made by themselves, which exper-
iments have always urged at the beginning and
close Of my remarks on fertilization. | have no
malice or feeling OF ill-will against any firm,
vendor or party that have manufactured or sold
the different fertilizing materials to the farmer
but have fearessly and truthfully portrayed as
best was able the result Of experiment and in
vestigation as understood by me and when asked
to prove the same in court OF justice shall do so
AZ best can, and trust and believe such proof
will be Of character that will be acceptable to
the people for whom and with whom labor; and
II acceptable to them 1t will doubtless have TO be
satisfactory to my prosecutors. The position OF
secretary OF the board OF agriculture WAS not one
asked for or desired but when, through the
urgent request of many accepted did so in
tending to aid and protect the farmer and his
interests in every available way. Perhaps truth
coming through a court OF Justice will have
greater weight than otherwise, and is needed.
No one can foreknow the future, but have full
consciousness that have only done rs the law
required OF me: that is 10 use my knowledge,
Judgment and experiments for the advantage OF
the farmers OF Vermont. Those who have so
faithfully labored with me can testify to my
work, and those who have heard me speak can
use their judgment upon my remarks. That per-
lection is in humanity do not claim; that my
teachings have been infallible do not expect
but they have been faithful and honest, and
shall be able to show them 80 when required.
HIRAM A. CUTTING,
Secretary Board of Agriculture.