Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-02-01
Farmers Nseilng at $. JOhnsbury Center.

GOODWIN called inc meetinS 10 OlueFs
when Mr. Josiah Ward was elected chair
man and ]. e. Iiovey secretary.
There being no special programme for
he forenoon, Mr.. Hovey asked for in-
formation in regard to silOs.
Mr.. Cox stated that IL built a small
one last season; cXcavated seven feet in
the ground, without wall or cement. II
was twelve feet square, seven feet in the
ground, and several feet above, which was
hni,t Of lumber. This was filed with
corn. covered with few inches of straw
and weighted with stone. The straw was
hurt some, but the ensiago was good. He
commenced the last Of October TO feed,
irving thirty pounds TO "a cow, with two
small follerings OF hay aud two quarts of
corn meal; fed the ensilage TO young stock
also, m! all did we'll. When next to clay
Oh the sides the ensilago came out bright
and rice; bat where it came in contact
with mari sell in moulded, not to exceed
one half inch. lie is satisfied that the
quality Of the milk and butter is improved
from feeding the ensilage, and believes that
this feed will produce better results with
cows than dried fodder corn. The stock
lock and feel well, and he is satisfied with
the esults thus far
Mr. Whipple does not think that the
process of ensilage adds anything to the
value Of the corn, but may render it more
digestible; built last season a wooden silo
in bis barn; does not think the ensilage
kept quite so well rs that of Mr.. Cook.
lie feeds eighty pounds or more per day.
with one feed per day Of hay or corn
stalks and small amount of grain. lie
mutt double wall, eight inches apart,
filled with sawdust. Il has not frozen.
He feeds the ensla 70 10 sheep and likes it
for this purpose. Cattle fed with it drink
little or no water. lie thinks if the ensil-
age is little warm ii is better for stock.
There was no heat about his when first
uncovered. A slight fermentation ensues
when first put in, but the pressure soon
stops this. He calculates that thirty tons
per acre Of western corn can be easily
raised on goad land,
Mr.. Goodwin stated that after very
mucn investigation he is not in favor of
he system OF ensilage; is of the opinion
hat tho fermentation which always occurs
to greater or less extent decreases its
value; that the sugar and starch being
hanged gradually a mild form Of acetic
rcld will very likely prove injurious t"
nimals eating it,as some examples already
reported would seem TO indicate thinks
there will be loss in the process OF
ensilage, and that very large yields, such
IS are often stated, win be very rare; is
Of the opinion that stock fed whit do not
look us we'll as they should; would prefer
% raise and cure corn TO making it into
nj IA l., {, -, "a al tn
ucccss Of this system Of feeding.
DR.. j. i. Drew is satisfied that fodder
corn that has been cured IN the field will
not produce rs good results when fed in
winter rs when fed green in autumn. He
links that cnsilaging corn more properly
preserves it. and renders it more easily
ligestible; has faith that the system is
! sound and will prevail; is looking after
the cheapest method for building slo.
Mr.. Cook is well satisfied that silos may
be easily and cheaply built of wood
Mr.. II ID. Pierce last season built 4 pen
Of wood and filled it with green second
crop clover and weighed II. 1t came ou1
with lttie injury he pen was only
single boarded /, Vas twelve feet square
and only about 4 ton Of weight was put on
Davis, who believes III soiling and enslage
Adjourned until afternoon.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON
The audience assembled at 2 O'clock
when MIR. Towle SAID that the fact wa:
| growing upon Us that our pastures wert
Ialling, and the ali.imp0rtant question Is
| What shall we do to improve thGm9 The
practice has been to enrich the inca lows
at the expense OF the pastures. He recon-
mended p.owing and tiliing such portion:
rs would admit of being worked, an,
taking some portion of the meadows fol
grazing pu poses; use light application
| 1t stable manure and supplement will
/ Two huudlcd pounds Of superphosphate pei
tcrG. lie suggested that the rougher anC
/ least Productive portions be allowed tC
| gov up again 10 timber. For seeding ht
recommended the use of hcrdsgrass ol
timothy, with little red clover, and ii
absence of clover add redtop. In Franklin
county the upsrphosphates give very goo(
resGl s, and he would recommend theil
use as an aid in reuovating old, worn GU
pastures. Be careful and not feed too
closely in autumn, rs it is an importan
item to have little grass as protection 1t
tie roofs OF the grass plants
After This paper an interesting discus
/ sion followed
Mr.. Davis thought that many farmer:
made a mstahe in going cut OF the sheer
| industry, believing that these animals arr
renovatots o! tho soil. We should en-
courage the sheep industry along will
daifying; regrets that some of cur Yer
mont land was ever cleared Of the origina
forests; better let these rough, forbiddne
portions 90 again to the production 0
wood; believes the salvation Of dairy
! pastures 10 be in a system Of soilng ant
feeding a, the barn; keep twice tht
amount OF stock the pastures would alone
carry, and supplement rs above stated
With tie Increased stock more manure i
lett up II The pastures.
The chairman did net quite agree viii
Mr.. Davis, as he thought the pasture
would become uneqdaliy fortified; woult
keep The stock at the barn and put til,
nlanure where most needed. lie has hat
some experience with brakes; ia the fal
with heavy plow tore mp and turne,
over rs we'll as possible, and next sprin.
narrowed very thoroughly, tearing th,
brake roots all to pieces; sowed to oats
but the brakes outgrew them. when thu
tops Of the brakes were cut off with
scythc, ;,Ilcr winch the oats came fnrwar,
rapidly and made u heavy crop; killed tn
brakes in this way and made COOL pas
lure; would not plow poor pasture with
out manuiing.
Mr.. Goodwin thinks that tn, sinai
kind of brakes cannot b. very easily kiilc,
by plo wing, from his experience.
Mr.. IlovcY spoke Of what is known a
poverty, or white grass" and inquire,
if anything can be done TO externinate it
There appears to be much complain
about this worthless grass that is usurpin,
the land, bnt not much information wa
afforded
Mr.. Ilovay is confident that keepin.
sheep and not allowing the grass to g, t
seed will be Of benefit.
: MIR. Goodwin said that in IVindso
county where sheep have been long kept
, this grass is most abundant.
Mr.. Stevens sheep man, last sprin
burned over an old growth Of this gras
and the season following the feed WA
better. This practice is followed by som
farmers, the inference being that the oil