Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-01-06
The State Board Of Agriculture
MEETING AT IA YETTEHTLLE
Tuesday and "wednesday, January "a
and I'd, Iss3.

MEETING AT IA YETTEPILLE
Tuesday and "wednesday, January "a
and I'd, Iss2.
According to previous announcement the
Board Of Agriculture met at Fayetteville on
Tuesday, converting at Union hall. Being
one Of the first real wintry mornings OF the
season, with rough roads TO travel on with
wheels. n very large attendance at the open
ing could hardly be expected. Besides, no
programmes had been circulated, and it was
questioned by some whether there was to be
forenoon session. Several local speakers
and farmers of the county we're put down in
the programme, as it finally appeared, for the
first time after the opening Of the meeting,
for papers or parts in discussion, but this
was the first that most of them knew Of it.
After several trials, no one being found to
act as chairman, Mr.. NJ. W. Davis of West
minister, at the suggestion Of several voices,
accepted that position. In a few introduc-
tory remarks Mr.. Davis said that though the
reception of the Board was not so encourage
ing as he might wish, the attendance was as
large as it averaged at the forenoon sessions
OF the first day. There we're present about
Eve times as many as at the opening Of the
meeting Of the Board at Townshend last win
ter. Bratteboro was well represented
The first paper read was by Mr.. Goodwin,
member Of the Board from Hartland. The
subject OF this paper was "Our Hay Crop
BY the census report Of 1850, grass yielded
1910 lbs per acre in 1880 the yield was
22SO lbs, an increase Of 44O pounds per
acre. This increase was not nearly so large
as il might have been. The hay crop might
be doubled The theoretical idea Of making
two blades Of grass grow where one grew be-
fore can be realized in practice. He advised
cropping with corn before seeding TO grass
Did not favor seeding with grass on an in
verted sod. He bad experimental to find
what seed lac should use and in what quaint
ties. Orchard with him did not give very
satisfactory results After making several
trials Of different grass seeds in varying pro-
| portions he now uses 10 lbs. each Of timothy
and clover and eight pounds Of red top. or
| all the numerous kinds of grass, three or
| four we've sufficient for general cultivation,
| and OF these he considered the grasses named
as the best. He had high opinion OF red
| top; il was a nutritious grass and grew natur-
| ely in most of our soils. A bush should not
be used in laying down land to grass; it
| brushed the seed into lunches aud was fire..
quent cause Of failure in getting An even
| GNltn. a llHul uhTFOh was utlAtEs NtNft
| cuts hay when the dew is upon it. Should
be carted 10 before the dew falls. Hay will
keep after being thoroughly wilted. Had
experimental by putting green hay in the
middle OF NOV, and il had come out all
right Tight barns in which the hay is put
| quickly will keep il best. Various fertilizers
were tried upon piece Of grass land divided
into pats and the best results for the cost OF
the fertilizers were obtained with the muriate
Of potash He strongly condemned pastur-
ing meadows in the spring and fall. He usu.
uAlly got two crops from his meadows the
| FIRST year in grass the second crop some
| times reaching three tons to the acre. He
had brought his meadows up by the use Of
| special fertilizers and had found it 10 pay.
In reply TO q question about orchard grass,
| hlr. Goodwin said it required a very rich soil
aud a fortune to grow il. Mr.. Newton OF
BrattlebOro said he had grown It successfully
on "A sandy soil. the reverse Of that described
as most suitable for it, Mr.. Marcy of New
fnne favored orchard grass be grew heavy
| crops of it. and his cows did better on it than
| Oh clover
Mr. Stebbins Of Townshend inquired what
| grass be could seed with to beat out witch
| grass. Mr.. Lanphear Of Jamaica replied that
he had beat witch grass by inclosing the field
| with wire fence and pasturing with hogs
The question Of the best method Of apply
ing manure was raised, and the weight OF
authority seemed to be in favor OF spreading
on the soil in fall or winter. In general there
was no danger Of loss from washing. Mr..
] Newton MANFRED part Of a cornfeld in the
fall and the remainder in the spring there
was n very apparent difference in the differ
ent parts, that upon which tho manure was
| spread in the fall being the best
Mr.. Osgood Of Brookline had experimental
with fertilizers and found them to pay what
cost him $3.50 he had realized 500 for in
| crease Of crops.
A member of the Board advised farmers
not TO buy the mixed fertilizers prepared fol
sale at large profit, but to find out by ex
| perimenting on plats what the soil needed
and to buy it unmi1ed with any other ingre
dents; and recommended spreading manure
| in the fall and winter.
In reference to the danger of loss from
washing, Mr. Newton said he had spread ma
nure on a steep side-hill Of the Rice farm
and no effect from the manure could be seer
more than six inches below where it was ap
piled.