Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-03-21
THURSDAY FORENOON.

Mr.. Morse, in absence of the chairman.
After selection of music by the choir,
Rev. Mr.. Winslow of Lunenburgh was
INTRODUCED and occupied the first part OF
the session with an address on "Experi-
mental Farm Education. He announced
that DR.. Cutting was slowly improving,
but was not yet able to be out. This was
deeply regretted by the audience who
were anxious to see and hear him. The
speaker said that formerly farmers sons
were not supposed to need much OF an
education, just sufficient to read, write and
compute interest but now sone of our best
educated men are TO be found in the
agricultural ranks. Their occupation
naturally leads them to the acquisition OF
much practical knowledge. He spoke OF
farmers being men definite in their
estimates of farm crops or products. They
should weigh and measure more and guess
less. He referred to the necessity of
selecting pure and clean seed as of the
greatest Importance. In speaking of seed
potatoes, found more profit in cutting
quite fine and planting thickly. Good
tfllage is an excellent remedy for drought
and is in measure substitute for
manure. He gave some fine examples of
iudicious fertilization and management
that should convey a suggestive and
practical lesson to farmers. A farmer
who IS penny wise In relation to seed in
spring will be pound foolish in autumn
and thus it may be truthfully said of many
other operations on the farm. The practice
of obtaining new and productive seed
potatoes as often rs necessary was partic-
ularly dwelt upon as of much Importance
and the yield will in this way be greatly
increased. Farmers are often too careless
in the selection of animals for breeding
purposes. This has much to do with tue
future success of stock. The best is none
too good for this purpose. Some care in
the selection is of much importance, as
often those cows supposed to be the best
because giving large yield of milk are
really inferior In butter producing ca paoity.
This really interesting address was
concluded with the trite text, "That
whatsoever man sows that shall he also
reap"
In the discussion which followed Mr..
Winslow explained, in answer TO
question, the utility of the winter applca
ton of manure. He does not think that
late fall application would be really as
valuable.
Mr. Slayton asked in relation to the loss
of manure by this process of application
Finds fall spreading to produce excellent
effects.
Rev. Mr. Morse finds that when manure
is spread on the snow it is readily dissolved
in spring and needs no pulverizing by
hand or with brush. 1t has been found,
with few exceptions that loss will not be
sustained by washing from side hill. 1t
l., ,,ot ,poll 70 eproo5 ~, 100 mott hor uhara
the land is apt 10 be plowed in spring.
Spoke particularly of the value of expert
ments ON every farm as of the utmost
importance in determining the needs and
capacities of the soil. He sattrbuted
the large crops of potatoes raised
in Essex county to the soil rather
than conditions of production. The land
is not MANFRED very heavily. not so much
so as in other parts of the state.
In speaking of planting small potatoes
farmer stated that for four years he had
practiced planting seed of this description
and with favorable results. Planted whole
and flowed manure under. Last year he
raised 800 bushels to the acre. Whether
it would do for farmers to follow this
practice is a question.
Another farmer thinks that whole
potatoes will do better on dry soil, as they
will hold the moisture more readily than
small pieces.
Mr.. Slayton succeeds in raising good
crops from under sized seed planted whole.
Greensward is generally considered the
best for potatoes, although some have good
success on old ground.
AT err very Interesting discussion, in
which the farmers took an active part. the
audience was favored with another selec.
ton of music and then Mr.. Pember
occupied the time in talking upon the
Milk Question" until the hour for |
adjournment arrived.
AFTERNOON.
The citizens of the plaoo generously |
entertained the gentlemen of the board,
and at noon a long and well loaded table
was spread in Redtield hall and all were
freely invited to partake.
On coming together at an early hour
the audience were first favored with a
voluntary by the choir, after which few
questions were handed in and answered
by Messrs. Davis and Towe.
Succeeding this Mr.. Davis took up the
Leaks of the Farm and treated it in
mastery manner. making point at every
period that was worthy to be remembered
and practiced upon by farmers.
After this address, which was listened
to with much attention. Mr.. Jones asked
what feed would Mr.. Davis recommend
for butter making.
Feed so AS to produce good health; give
the best quality of early cut hay and n
mixture OF cotton seed meal and shorts
Ho tviupS of tho caoI |
two of corn and cob meal and one of
shorts to a COW per day for the production
of milk. II on this feed a COW goes to
flesh rather than milk would turn her for
milk Oats make good feed for milk but
when too high in price will not paw to feed
to cows. Believes that ten bushels of corn
are worth more than one ton of hay.
A farmer likes corn and barley for this
purpose.
The chairman inquired as to the com.
value of ensilage for the produc
ton of milk.
Mr.. Davis believes that this system will
he of great value to the dairyman. From
two 10 three tons of the ensilage are
considered equal to one of hay. Spoke in
favor of the system and thought it would
W Vi NtiuS w hhSio ~ u it'
Would feed shorts to cows as one means
of improving the pasture. After the
discussion had lasted until late the
meeting adjonrned.
EVENING.
On coming together, after listening to
voluntary and the answering of few
questions, Prof. A. II. Sabin of the state
was introduced and delivered
an excellent address on Fertilization. +"
Before proceeding with the address he
dissented somewhat from the general idea
that scientific men are opposed
to the system. This is not necessarily so.
As far as he is concerned he is favorably
impressed with its value upon the farm,
helping TO give a greater variety to the
feed of stock and it so far appears to work
well in practice. He thinks that advocates
of the system have injured its reputation
by statements so extraordinary and
extravaganza as TO often deter sensible
people from investigating or adopting it.
This is to be deplored and it is to be hoped