Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-03-07
Farmers Meeting at Windsor.

3 that IS faithful 10 MS duty ana the I'LL ilieis
, of this state.
Farmers Meeting at Windsor.
| This meeting was held in the town hall
on Thursday and Friday, March 1st and
ID. The meeting was called to order by
Mr.. Goodwin and G. Rossiter, Esq, was
: elected moderator.
Mr.. Towle spoke upon the subject of
pasture Improvement and was followed
in discussion by the farmers during the
remainder of the session.
The chairman spoke of the importance
of improvement of pastures as they are
deterioratng in character. lie has billy
pasture, difficult to pillow. He has kept
COWS in it and thinks that perhaps change
TO sheep would be an advantage.
The pastures here are not near as good
as in many other portions of the state.
Mr.. Goodwin spoke of the interest of
farmers in this question. He would let
some portions grow again to wood. In
many cases this would pay good profit.
He advised stocking quite heavily and the
feeding in addition with solling crops and
grain as a means of improvement.
1t was thought by some farme.s that
where sheep have been kept for the last
twenty years only about one.half as many
can now be kept on the same land as at
the first. This was rather against sheep
as renovators of pastures.
Mr.. Goodwin believes that farmers will
find it for their advantage to use CONNER.
cial fertilizers upon their farms, always
aiming to employ those kinds that are
specially NEEDED on any particular soil,
which will only be found out by experiment.
Mr.. Ranchard.of Weatherstield fully
indorsed the remarks Of Mr.. Goodwin.
He would feed the soil largely if good
returns are expected, He should not
hesitate TO purchase reliable fertilizers for
this purpose. He is of the opinion that
sheep pas ures have detcriorated largely
during tho last twenty years. as was also
the case with others. lie believes it will
always pay farmer to feed all the grain
that is soiled as means of Improvement.
Mr.. Powers stated that the dairy pastures
arc d ,terioratlng fast.
The chairman thought that sheep would
not run out II pasture so fast as cattle.
The meeting adjourned until afternoon.
AFTERNOON.
On coming together Mr.. Goodwin made
a few remarks on the subject of the
forenoon, the Improvement of Pastures,
and then Mr.. Davis delivered lecture on
the Leaks of the Farm" This occupied
a considerable portion of the afternoon
and was full of facts and suggestions that
should be of much interest to the farmers
present and assist them in avoiding the
numerous wastes mentioned and render
their occupation more self.sustaining and
and profitable. On being requested to
speak on sheep husbandry, he stated that
if he was going into the business he would
invest in pedigree Merinos, would belong
to some of the associations and endeavor
to keep up with the times and make the
business profitable. AS mutton will always
sell perhaps on many FARMS some of the
coarse wooded breeds would do exceedingly
we'll
The chairman spoke of the importance
/ of saving the manure. He thinks barn
cellar excellent for this purpose and when
housed the manure is worth twice az much
as when left out of doors exposed to the
weather.
Mr.. Walker inquired if manure loses
much if put in heaps in the field.
In many instances this may be necessary
Uuu WCulU put III lttlSc ncupS uuu ptCh
hard to prevent fermentation.
Mr.. Walker does not believe that fine
wool can now be produced with profit in
Vermont, with the west to compete with.
lie was very anxious to learn about many
things, which showed most commendable
spirit Of interest and inquiry. In ten
years he has increased his hay crop 100
per cent.
Mr.. Davis spoke in favor of clover as q
stock of great value and also good for the
soil. He believes the farmers of the south
and the west will continue to be under the
necessity looming to Vermont for Merino
stock sheep and this should help to make
this industry profitable.
Mr.. Walker said that he could make
two pounds of butter as cheap as one of
wool, and they both now sell for about the
same price per pound.
Mr.. Davis finds that northern corn and
oats make the best feed for milk. lie also
gave some of the indications by which
good COW may he determined, which have
been given before.
The time having arrived, the meeting
adjourned until evening.
EVENING.
On assembling, Rev. Mr.. Winslow of
Lnnepburgh delivered ~ lecture on "Ex-
perimental Farm E'ucation." This was
IN interesting address and showed conclu.
sively the gentleman to be of a very
observing turn of mind, and that he
possessed n genuine love for agricultural
pursuits. 1t will probably be published in
full for the benefit of all. AS there has
been considerable said about the perplex.
tiles of hired hell at the present day, the
uncertainty of getting those men or boys
that are reliable, the gentleman spoke II
good word for this class of persons and
tho ught that if farmers would take more
pains in selecting their help, and were
willing to pay what such men would really
be worth it would be much better for them
and he believed that such men can even
now be found although not perhaps to the
extent of twenty-five years ago.
After the address sof Mr.. Winslow Mr..
Goodwin followed with one on the Social
Position of the Farmer" As there was Il
little time left after these addresses,
remarks were made by the gentlemen
present.
Mr.. Blanchard, young farmer from
Weatherstield spoke very Interestingly on
the subject under consideration. He spoke
very highly of the importance of a liberal
education for farmers. Flo considers
this vocation As highly honorable and
should not be beneath the attention of any. |
He spoke Of the quietness and beauty of
the farmers home and of its purely socIal |
relations, so farremoved from the frivolous
and the insecure, and would seek by every
means to have these maintained. Parents
should impart their own experience to
their children as n valuable acquisition
and seek to educate them in what will so
nearly concern them in the future.
Rev. Mr.. Greenwood, being called upon,
indorsed the ideas advanced by the speaker
of the evening and expressed his interest
in the subject under consideration. He
would have young people choose their
vocation in life intelllgently, so as to be
able to pursue it with real love and inter-
est, be it on the farm or among other
occupations or professions. lie thought
girls made great mistake in going into
the great manufactures or large cities in
pursuit of employment instead ofacceptino