Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-03-01
Farmers, yec,iur a, East Hardwick.

The meeting was organized by the cleo
ton Of ]. w. Hovey as president and w.
II. Bagley rs secretary.
The first address presented was by L. X.
TOwle of Franklin upon the Renovation
of pasture land"
This is an important subject and should
claim the attention Of farmers, and being
admirably calculated to bring out discus
sion, it is a truly valuable paper which
should be brought to the notice of all the
farmers in the state having poor pastures.
At the conclusion of this address Mr..
Goodwin led in discussion on the subject
under consideration. As regards billy
pastures, would employ chemical fertil-
izers in their renovation. Would attend
closely TO keeping down all bushes and
noxious weeds; believes in stocking heav-
lily and making good any deficiencies by
use of green crops, grain or even dry hay.
Finds that with this treatment the pastures
are improving. Where sheep are Kept
would apply ashes or superphosphates.
Farmers here are not troubled much
with brakes, which is not often found to
be the case.
Mr.. lIutchins would NOW brakes tho
first of July to moro efIectually destroy
them. If the season is late the operation
should be delayed somewhat. Sheep will
destroy golden rod, according TO the expe'
rience of some.
DR.. Cutting spoke Of the Importance OF
clearing the pastures of all useless vegeta-
ton by continuous moving and sowing on
of grass seed. The last is of great I'M
portance, and should be attended to every
year wherever needed.
A majority of farmers present do not
appear 10 be in favor of shade trees In
pastures.
DR.. Cutting was pretty much of this
opinion, and would advise investigation in
this direction for information.
Mr.. Blake spoke of narrowing pastures
in spring and sowing on grass seed as
goodpractice.
Mr.. Davis spoke of his method of i'm
proving dairy pastures, which is similar
to that described by Mr.. Goodwin. In the
keeping of young cattle and sheep would
advise frequent change as likely to foster
greater production of feed and less
deterioration.
Mr.. Goodwin would not pillow pastures,
aud where sheep are kept there should be
sufficient number of trees for shade.
Mr.. Halves of Morrisville made some
extended remarks upon the fertilization.
structure and growth OF plants.
DR.. Cutting asked if any of the farmers
have noticed their COWS chewing bones or
woodP
Several answered in the affirmative, and
some have fed bone meal to supply the
deficiency of phosphate in the animal.
This deficiency has given rise to What
! farmers style thorn all" When thi;
condition of things exists phosphoric acid
is wanting in the soil, and should be sup
piled in some form. On many farms. hi
own, for instance, there is sufficient of the
phosphates, but lack of potash, or wher
this is supplied the best OF results are
obtained.
The hour of noon having arrived The
meeting was adjourned until afternoon,
The attendance was large for the frs
session, and bespoke much interest on thu
part of the farmers.
There is grange ut this place ans
monthly meetings are held, alternating
around among the farmers. Much interes
was exhibited for the success of the meet
ing and the gentlemen OF the board ant
those in attendance from Gut of town wer
literally entertained by the citizens of thu
place.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
The audience assembled at 2 o'clock, an,
after listening to a selection from the chol
Mr.. Davis of Westminster gave lectur
on 1.-The horsc,' which was received witt
much attention, aud was very interestin:
and profitable.
Some discussion followed
Mr.. Davis is of opinion that far NOR
horses are foundcred by drin king coll
water when on the road than by feeding
Would feed from twoto four quartso of oat
per day TO colts the first winter.
DR.. Cutting is of opinion that one hal
the quantity would be better.
A few farmers present feed small
quantity Of grain the first winter an
consider it advisable.
Mr.. Goodwin stated that at the ives
young colts are fed literally of grain witt
theirdams, and apparently without injury
He thinks better care should be taken G
colts generally.
: DR.. Cutting said that feeding youn
colts largely with grain will tend to pro
ducc abnormal bony secretions. At tn
west horses suffer more from colic-prob
ably induced from eating largely of corr
than here, while our horses suffer NOR,
from heaves,
farmer made some remarks shown.
that the character AMI value of hors
depended very much on the care receive
, the first year.
, AT the conclusion Of this discussion an
I.C IL II
entitled, The farmer feeds US all" Dl
: Cutting gave q most interesting lecture o
"Our birds
, lie first gave u description of the ana
omy of birds, that differs so MATERIAL
! from that If animals. The wide dissen
inati0n Of seeds to great distances is du
to birds. Their eyesight is very perfec
and their rapidity of flight remarkable
= The voice of birds is pleasant, and the
: songs an inspiration to all lovers of natur,
= There are some instances Of long lif
y but this is not general. The love for nom
: is proverbial, and the memory most RI
: murkablc, AS evinced in the young bir
. finding in spring the old nesting place
!, He gave quite an Interesting descriptio
q of the kingtisher, an American bird tha
lives on fish.
y One of the most useful birds to til
. farmer is The owl, destroying rs they
large numbers of rats and mice, and al
more valuable for this purpose than tn
! cat. The hawks arc also useful in Ii
: same direction as the owl.
9 The crow, disliked SO generally by farm
= ers, ID af great use as II scavengcr aud
= destroyer eff vermin.