Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-03-22

A meeting of the board of agriculture
WIS held at this place. commencing on
Tuesday. March 18th. At 10: 80 A. NJ, the
meeting was called TO order by DIR Cut
ting, and organized with the choice OF
John NJ. Dodge, Esq, as moderator.
Mr.. Towle took up the first subject on
the programme, 1.-The Improvement OF
pasture lands and was followed in a
lively discussion by the farmers present
Mr.. Thomas stated that as the pastures
have failed somewhat in this part of Essex
county, some of the farmers have purchas-
ed others where land is cheaper in which
to keep their young stock.
Mr.. Webster said that he has paid much
attention to his pastures; does not allow
bushes and trees to grow where not want
ed. He is of opinion that many pastures
in this vicinity are greatly reduced in value
by allowing brakes, briers, bushes and
trees to usurp the soil. Keeps cows in the
pasture at night. He gave the experience
of farmer in improving his pastures by
blowing, sowing winter rye and seeding
to grass, which was very encouraging.
Mr.. Lane has n rocky farm with light
good soil. He plows and sows two years
with oats and seeds to grass. Sows plas-
ter with good effect. lle sows timothy
and clover.
Mr.. Snow asked what could be done 10
exterminate bareback"
Mr. Lane killed patch by spreading
on old rubbish and burning the ground
over.
Mr.. Turner spoke of a farmer blowing a
field thoroughly and cultvating with good
success, that was badly infested with hard
hack. A good deal of hay is sold in the
town of Lunenburgh every year. On some
of the farms this practice is tending &c
reduce the yield, while the quality is also
depreciating. On n few farms, natural
grass lands, The deterioration is not very
apparent. Farmers practice top-dressing
meadows to a considerable extent here
and like the method well.
Mr.. Grant has found that in his expert
ence where he had plowed and re-seeds
pasture land the grass did not produce
well for any length OF time. He is letting
a poor and unproductive piece of pasture
land grow again to timber, and thinks ii
will be good investment.
Mr.. Spaulding has large hill farm on
which there is large amount of moss ir
portions, and which he finds it difficult to
exterminate. He cuts off the bushes anC
sows on grass seed, in this way making
good pastures.
One farmer would plow and re-soe(
without any grain crop.
1t was stated that plaster and ashes pro
duce good results, and if this is the case
they should be used literally for the pur
pose. Farmers are generally averse t
blowing pastures, thinking that little bene
fit will be derived from the practice, Il!
there is not much stable manure to be
used for this purpose.
Mr.. Davis would turn the poorest ant
most inaccessible pastures TO It forcs
growth, and the remaining make better b,
some process Of management. He wuulC
advise in some cases a change of stool
from cattle to sheep, or the opposite, as
means Of improvement. Believes in fire.
use of plaster, and would advise farmer
to employ 1t more generally as a fertilizer
lie would SOW on occasionally grass seet
and harrow if necessary Cattle will lie
stroy elder bushes, and sheep the bricrS
Twelve o'clock having arrived, the meet
ing adjourned until afternoon.