Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-08

bushes and foul weeds. Some attention il neces-
sary each year in order to keep the pastures from
deteroratlng, the effort being instead to produce
gradual improvement. MIR. Norcross would use
pastures alternately Mr. Davisthought Il would
not pay to renovate many Of our hill pastures,
but to use them for the growth of wood. Mr.
Templeton's experience accorded with Mr..
Towle's views. Several speakers urged the inn
portance of renewing the fertility of the pastures
Hon. Albert Dwine after an eloquent tribute
to Vermont, spoke of the prime Importance OF
Of saving manures, particularly that Of fowls;
also the necessity Of saving the liquid manures.
Mr.. Goodwin followed upon the Z" Application Of
manures" lie believed 1t more profitable to
save liquid manure by means Of absorbents,
rather than to apply 1t in liquid form.
In the afternoon Mr. A. NJ. Foster Of Cabot
took up the subject Of Grass" lie considers the
production of grass and hay Of the greatest i'm
portance to the farmers Of Vermont; spoke Of or
chard grass, and referred to a neighbor who last
season secured large amount of hay from this
varety-an extraordinary yield; must have aver
aged four tons at two cuttings per acre. It is
also being used for pastures with good feet The
soil on which the hay was produced was at first
poor, but had been underdrained, cultivated
deeply and fertilized we'll. The condition Of the
land, as improved, appeared to be particularly
adapted to this kind Of grass lie sowed from
one and half to two bushels Of orchard grass
and about ten pounds Of clover per acre; fertil-
lied highly with barnyard manure and superphos-
plate; SOIL much on the surface and clay and
sand misunderstanding land. This grass, cut
in June for hay, was found to be superior to tim
othy for milk mostly seeded In spring and with
ont grain, After further discussion upon this
important topic, Mr.. Davis took the next, Dairy
ing" For the best success in dairying the loca-
ton should be favorable abundantly supplied
with pure water and the best of grasses; believes
in generous feeding; likes corn and oats or barley
for grain, and early cut hay fowls should not be
kept in the stable with the cows, as they will be
infested with parasites. Several gentlemen stated
the yield Of their diaries. Many were in favor of
making butter the year round. The meeting
closed in the evening with lecture by DR.. Cut
ting upon Thinking more and working less"
The audience was large and appreciative, and the
meetings were of much interest and profit to ALL
IN BARRE.
The meetings at this place were held at the
town hall and Mr.. W. c. White presided. Mr.. f.
X. Towle spoke upon Mixed farming" and
there followed general discussion, and various
suggestions were made as to the best manner of
destroying the potato beetle The first address
OF the afternoon was by Mr.. Goodwin upon the
Manufacture, saving and application of ma
nures." DIR. Cutting followed in lecture upon
Fertilization He called attention to the fact
that it is possible to use too much, as well as too
little, manure. When too much is used the crops
IN xinaa nd ata1lfa ahau1d ba akau
when applying special fertilizers not to apply too
much. Experiments should be made to show how
much is needed. General Stephen Thomas made
stirring remarks at the close Of the days session.
urging farmers not to be content with their pres
ent attainments, but to press forward in the great
work of progress and improvement.
At the evening session Mr.. Goodwin spoke upon
the Production of hay" lie prefers moder-
atey thick seeding in order to produce the best
quality of hay; cuts clover for hay when about
half in bloom; timothy is often cut too closely
with machine, and the future crop so injured
close feeding by stock produces the same result
clover best be grown upon clay soil, and
ashes and plaster are beneficial. Mr.. Davis fol-
lowed upon &c Dairy farming and general dis
cusson ensued upon various topics.
Friday forenoon DIR. Cutting gave a valuable
paper on g." Farmers lives and homes" to which
no abstract do justice, but which every farmer
ought to hear and practice 1t was full OF valua-
bic sanitary hints.
Mr., Towle, in the afternoon, took as his sub
ect the "Sugar industry" He would put up
sugar in such size and shape of cake as the mar
ket demands; urged the making of better arti-
Gle, and cleanliness in its manufacture; it should
be kept in warm weather tightly packed in bar
rels or boxes, and stored in dry room-never in
damp one; evergreen trees should not be
allowed to grow in a sugar place, for the sap of
the naples will not lie as sweet. Mr.. HOLSTER
said syrup run up to two hundred eighteen de-
grees would be thick enough for market; two de-
grees thicker would cause it to granulate. Mr.
Davis thought it better not to try to remove the
malate of lime (or inter, sometimes called, but
let it remain IA ingredient of the product
Mr. Goodwin, however, thought differently. The
discussion upon the topic continued all the ses-
sion, and various and conflicting views were
developed
The evening and closing session was given to
the " Corn question" Mr.. Davis emphatically
urged Vermont farmers to depend more upon
their own farms for their supplies Of corn and
pay out less money for the western product. lie
showed that by careful cultivation the quality
of the product might be improved, and the guam
tity to the acre increased. Seed should be So
lected according to the location and soil pillow
well as a first requisite; the soil should be kept
as light as possible and not packed down by pull
verifying with an old-fashioned harrow. Would
have the rows run in the direction that would
make them the longest, and prefers to have the
field as large as possible. This facilitates the
work OF cultivation which should be principally
done with the horse and the lghtest implements;
would use the Thomas smoothing harrow until
the corn is several inches in height. The prac-
tice would not answer on rough or stony land
but on his farm it works well finishes the work
OF cultivation with horse hoe. Cut up at the
roots when the grain is beginning to glaze and
stock well when, II cured properly, the fodder
and corn will both be OF good quality. His soil
is auvial and the corn is planted on clover
sod. Raises average Of fifty bushels per acre.
Ashes or potash act well on this land Mr. Good
win did not agree with him in regard to manur-
ing in the hill, believing it better to apply all
broadcast. Quite spirited discussion followed
and lasted till the hour of adjournment. After
votes Of thanks to the members OF the board, re-
piled to by Mr.. Goodwin, the meeting closed.
lnswar In ss A partInanf (luasfiau -