Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-02-07
Farmers Meeting at Wells.

The meeting of the Board of Agriculture
for this place was held at Hopson's Hall,
on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 80
and 81. At II o'clock in the forenoon OF
the first day the meeting was called TO
order by E. r. Pember, Esq, when Mr..
Wesley Rowe, was elected chairman.
MIR. Pember next gave few fitting
words of welcome. He made some refer.
ence to the condition of farming fifty years
ago and the changes that have been made
since We cannot do n. W as was done at
that time, and much more attention must
be given to our occupation to produce
profitable results than was formerly the
case. This is owing in measure to the
degeneracy of the soil and the immense
competition to which we are subjected
BY the great west. To assist US in our
endeavors to be successful cultivators of
the soil is the object of these meetings
that through their agency we may be the
better prepared for the labols that are
before US. He welcomed the board in
fitting words, and hoped for much good as
the result of this meeting.
Succeeding this address DR.. A. C.Grove
of Wells gave paper on Chemical
Ii
direct address, and should be read with
interest by all when published.
Succeeding this paper discussion
ensued. Mr.. Davis made some remarks
on the use of commercial fertilizers. and
of the necessity of careful trial with these
in order to find whether OF no they will
be adapted to the soil of any farm. He
would advise farmers to make and save
all the manure possible on the farm, and
then, if this is not sufficient for the pur-
pose, purchase those special fertilizers
that are found to be wanting in the soil ;
he believes that this may often be done
with advantage in the improvement of our
farms.
E. r. Towie spoke of his experience
with superphusphates, and of the necessity
of every farmer trying this matter for
himself on small scale at first, and if
successful, then use as wanted. The same
with other fertilizers.
Mr. Goodwin inquired how many OF
the farmers present had used commercial
fertilizers. A considerable number an
swered in the affirmative, and almost all
with satisfactory results. The soil has
been gradually depleted of certain ele-
ments of fertility and these must be
supplied in some way. Thinks this can be
done the soonest by the use of special
fertilizers AS there does not appear to
be demand for nitrogen to any great
extent, it is unnecessary 10 purchase this
expensive material in the fertilizers. Is
in favor of using ground bone and hard
wood ashes. Uses one barrel of fine bone
TO three bushels of hard wood ashes,
moistened, to the acre. Also uses muriate
Of potash, $50 POUNDS 10 the acre, with
good effect Is in the habit of expert
menting with different fertilizing agents,
so as to find what will do best on his soil
or for certain crops.
On some farms clover will be found q
most valuable aid in the enriching of the
soil. With this crop sulphate of lime, OF
land plaster, will usually pl oduce good
results.
Several farmers present had received
benefit from the use Of wood ashes. Mr..
Goodw stated that if he could buy good
wood ashes at 25 cents per bushel, be
would prefer these to the German potash
salts. Farmers here apply ashes generally
in the hill, but Mr.. Goodwin would apply
broadcast Potatoes exhaust the soil
largely of potash. hence The necessity ol
suppling this fertilizer quite largely.
MIR. Davis spoke in favor of raising
clover and using plaster on the croe. He
also made some remarks in relation to a
proper fertilization, neither applying too
little nor too much, The discussion having
lasted until dinner time, the meeting was
adjourned till afternoon.