Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-03-21
Farmers Meeting at Passumpsie.

18th and 18th. Mr.. Goodwin called tn,
meeting together on the forenoon of thu
first day and s. j. Hastings, Esq, wa
appointed chairman. Tho first subiec
selected for consideration was the "Reno
walton of Pastures" which was Spoken
upon by Mr.. Towle, and was followed BY
Il spirited discussion by gentlemen present
Mr.. j. b. Foster stated that the pastures
of Caledonia county are sadly deteriorat
ing. They were formerly cropped
excessively and without manure-a very
bad practice. The pastures of Waterford
which is of slaty soil and cannot b
plowed. have not run out so fast. Cattle
seem addicted to gnawing old bones anc
pieces of boards and leather. Thi
indicates want of phosphates in the soil
He feeds shorts to his COWS the year roupC
and they are free from this propensity o
gnawing old bones. Little attempt ha'
yet been made to improve the pastures
Last year took piece of poor pasture
land and sowed thereon barrel of super
phosphate to the acre and good quantity
of grass seed. This produced an excellen
crop of grass and he feels encouraged tt
further efforts in this direction.
Mr.. Goodwin said that it was thu
phosphoric acid that the cattle required
and this is supplied in the bones or super
phosphate.
The farmers stated that on one side Of
the river ashes produce excellent results
while on the other side, where the soil il
of slaty character, they produce little
effect, there evidently being sufficient
amount in the land. He would advise
sowing superphosphate of lime on some
of our pastures that cannot be plowed
He advocated the practice of feeding
shorts or bran to stock.
Mr.. Foster endorsed the idea of raising
wood and timber on poor, rough pastures
as the best practice.
Mr.. Harvey spoke of lime being in one
spring of water and another short
distance away appears TO contain none.
He says that farmers Craze their pastures
too close and injure them in this way
Advised the blowing in of clover for
improving the land.
Mr.. Warden spoke of improving an old
pasture by putting on compost of hard
wood muck and ashes, making great
improvement. 1t was composed largely
of leaves. He advised the using of super
phosphate on pastures.
Rev. Mr.. Winslow of L1nenburgh spoke
of destroying weeds by persistent moving
and improving pasture by top dressing
with stable manure.
Mr.. Goodwin stated that When wood
ashes cannot be obta ned muriate of
potash may be used as substitute. He
spoke of the Importance CT farmers making
experiments for themselves with different
fertilizers in order to fird out what was
most needed.
Mr.. Foster spoke of the scarcity of help.
If more were to be had great saving
might be effected in the gathering up of
the wastes of the farm.
Rev. Mr.. Alger spoke OF the Importance
of more careful experiments on the farm,
the weighing or measuring of the product
instead of guessing as is too often done.
Mr.. Harvey advised better farming on
small areas instead of buying more land.
Mr.. Goodwin stated in answer to n
question that cotton seed m cal contained
considerable phosphoric acid, and would
therefore be good to feed 10 stock that
are in the habit of chewing bones.
Succeeding this discussion the meeting
adjourned until afternoon.
AFTERNOON.
After the meeting was called to order
Mr.. Pembnr was introduced, and occupied
the first part of the session in the con-
sideration of "Our butter product"
Mr.. Towle spoke of the importance of
using the cleanest and best brands of salt
to be obtained and the best packages,
even if they do cost more, as it will be
the cheapest in the end.
Judge Parkson being called upon made
some re marks on the subject under consid.
Grafton. He spoke of the importance of
first selecting cows. Does not intend TO
keep one that will not give yield of 800
pounds per COW annually. Does not allow
a COW to shrink in summer. Cows, high
grade Jerseys, with good pasture, moth
ing more is needed. When the gra, s
begins to tail give shorts until sweet corn
is fit to feed. and this will last until
November. Feeds early, cut hay in
winter along With cats, shorts, and cotton
seed meal. Proportions, enc quarter
cotton seed, one quarter oats, and the
balance shorts or middlings, in bulk
Give from four to five quarts per day a,
Waters twice daily. Likes the cotton seed
very much. but it should be fed carefully
Uses the Bureau system of milk setting
and likes it. Has COWS that give milk
Would prefer to have them
90 dry a short time, however.
Mr.. Winslow spoke of n successful
dairyman in Essex county who intends to
have one half ounce of salt to pound of
butter when 1t goes to market. Some
prefer more.
Mr.. Pember does not favor sailing,
working and packing butter at once after
churning. Thinks this practice requires
TOO much working, and therefore Injuries
The grain.
Judge Parks mixes coloring matter,
when it is needed. with sugar, using only
A small quantity for this purpose as a good
practice.
Mr.. Goodwin was OF the opinion that
strong soft soap would iniure the utensils |
used IN churning, etc, the potash acting |
lnfavorable on the wood, imparting bad |
doors.
The chairman stated that for the past
wo years most of his butter has been made |
1irectly into balls from the churn. Likes
he practice well. Soft butter cannot be
managed in this way with good results
Salts to suit customers.
Mr.. Foster spoke of the importance OF
having good pastures for successful dairy
ng. Artificial food will not produce
'esults equal TO good pasture grasses.
Mr.. Harvey made from ten cows last
year 2e5 pounds each. Fed grain in
'pring. Said that farmers are too extrav-
lgant, which is great drawback in their
business. Farmers should live within
heir means.
Mr.. Foster believes in feeding meal; it |
lelps to improve the farm. A considerable
lumber of farmers present make an
lverage of 200 pounds per COW annually.
The discussion lasted until quite late and
vas unusually interesting.
After Mr.. Winslow had shown and
Explained German milk tester, the
neeLing adjourned until evening.
EVENING.
On assembling Mr. Goodwin gave an
ddress on the Social position of the
subject which was well treated
md listened to with interest by the
Succeeding this address Rev. Mr..
Vinslow followed with remarks on tho