Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-03-08
Farmers, Meeting at Richmond.

pItNbutu Uuu
the board being farmers themselves, were
not supposed to be always right, but their
opinions were of moro value on account
of their being able TO compare and engraft
the opinions of others, and hence were
doubtless able to furnish some new topics OF
thought and might also learn of the farmers
how to carry the gems to the next town,
and hence improve others as well as them
selves.
He remarked of our land that it was a
rich formation by nature and not easily
exhausted, and if it did not produce well
it was only because one or two elements
of plant food were less than they should
be, and could easily be supplied; but such
want must be understood, and this needed
observation, and this want of observation
was the only reason farmers were not all
successful. If they would ascertain by
actual experiment with fertilizers upon a
small scale Just what was of use and then
act upon what such observation told them
was best, they would succeed in producing
double what they do at present. But in
stead they 60 on without thought or
observation, same as tho generations be-
| fore, who had not the competition of to-
day to spur them on to q better course.
Attention to everything about the grow
Ing crop was necessary, and such observa.
ton was worth volumes of fables handed
down from father to son about the moon
growing peas or onions.
Observation in relation to insects was
also imperative. that such fees could be
discovered and killed with ease often when
their habits were fully understood.
Many points of great interest in the
habits Of insects were touched upon, and
served TO direct the attention of farmers TO
points where observation would be of
great advantage.
Birds were spoken of, and the peculiar
habits of some discussed. The blue jay
he considered VIGOROUSLY bad, and the
robin, while protected on account of his
more agreeable song, was loved for sent-
mental reasons and not for actual worth -
while the owl and the crow were really
valuable helps. The blue bird he spoke
highly OF, also, and many other small birds,
rs valuable aids. Yet, as most birds eat
mixed food of insects and small fruits,
there were two sides to what might be said
abont them, and observation would soon
tell a man, if he observed without preu.
dice, what birds he wished to protect; and
although tho crowssomctimes pulled corn,
he subsisted so largely upon grubs and
caterpillars that such slight peccadilloes
could be overlooked, and we could as we'll
overlook that as to overlook the disadvan.
ta.es of the hen-that often scratched up
our gardens without permission, or per-
sisted in having her own way in spite of
our rcmonstrances, and setting without
eggs, seemingly with more persistence
than when she had them.
| He spoke of the farmers carelessness
about his house and outbuildings, urging
him to cover his sink-spout and clean bis
cellar often and well, keeping all chips or
wood of any kind from decaying about his
buildings. Also to look out for stagnant
water, either from waste water or other
wise, as the insiduous gases were the dam
gerous ones, coming like thief in the
night without warning to sow the seeds of
disease when least expected. Decomposing
vegetables in the cellar was censured, and
the farmer urged to ventlate not only his
cellar but his house. BY such attentions
properly directed more than half the sick
ness among farmers can be obviated, and
thus much pain and sorrow-besides the
DOCTORS bills-saved.
The doctor was listened to with great
attention to the end.
His address was followed by interesting
remarks.
Mr.. Psmber took up the DAIRY ques-
tion," and treated it in his usual able man
ner.
This is a most important matter 10 Ver-
mont farmers and is worthy of their care
full and earnest consideration. One fact is
worthy of notice and that is that notwith.
standing the enormous amount of oleo.
margarine supplied to the market the
demand for really fine article of butter Is
in excess of the supply and commands
remunerative prices.
The various arrangements for milk
setting were mentioned, rs that also Of
cream gathering as practiced at the west,
and which may be in time adopted here.
If conditions are favorable, good butter
can be made from all of these arrange
ments, or even from the old fashioned
small pans, but as regards convenience
and saving of labor there may be much
difference. He prefers deep setting fol
several reasons, as compactness, saving OIL
labor, uniformity of product and freedom
from outside influences. lie would COO
by ice or cold water, but not submerge.
He uses simply cans set in tank and run
at small expense, producing good results
He would not churn cream when swee
as the butter will not possess as good
keeping qualities as when the cream is
somewhat acid; but it should not be
allowed to stand too long AMI become
very sour or bitter.
He would use a chqrn without inside
works and wash the butter and work a!
little as possible, only sufficiently t
incorporate the salt, as the buttermilk is
supposed to have been removed by the
washing. FIo uses the best salt, and puts
in such packages as the trade demands.
Considerable discussion followed thu
address.
Mr.. Andrews inquired at what stage the
churning should cease to cause the granu
, lar state.
Mr.. Pcmber replied, when the butter is
in little pellets or grains, like wheat o.
perhaps larger.
Should the butter be worked by hand o
machine?
If in large quantity use machine;
small amount might be cared for by hand
A farmer expressed an opinion In fave
of washing butter twice, as the grain ap
pears to be in a better condition thai
when worked and packed Immediately
after churning.
Some others thought this the better
@ way.
Mr., Fay inquired if there is any bencfi
in scalding cream in cold weather.
, Mr.. Pember thought there might be.
Mr.. Fay practices this method after tn
3 fore part of October and is satisfied tina
f more butter is produced and of bette
color. He heats to one hundred and twent
degrees and Immediately cools. TIL
= cream will rise in from ten to twelv
hours sooner than by the common process
Q and the butter is worth from two to fou
q cents per pound more.
Judge Colby spoke in favor OF scaldinI
milk in cold weather, and it was statet
r that this practice is quite largely followe'
: by dairymen in this vicinity.
@ Mr.. Williams has quite large dair
. and uses tho Jewett pan, with runnin
water; skins when it first commences {
change and churns every other day. II
would not churn cream taken off tho sam