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

lance and promise trouble unless they can
be subdued by the use Of plaster.
At this stage of the meeting Mr.. Davis
took up the subject of the production of
Milk"
He gave great prominence to the proper
selection of cows, and gave description
of what he believed 10 be a proper and
profitable animal fo the dairy. Spoke of
having cows in his own herd that produce
1900 pounds of milk in year.
In relation to breeding cows for the
dairy he emph lszed the Importance of
selecting sres of excellent parentage on
both sides, of good butter making qualities.
Believes that farms can be more easily
kept in a good condition with butter than
cheese dairies. As to feed in summer
there are not many pastures that will
furnish the requisite amount for more
than about two months. and the balance
must be made up from various soiling
crops and grain. Would raise plenty Of
rye and sweet corn for the purpose. Would
advise farmers to raise more corn Spoke
of the necessity of having plenty and good
water. and of the necessity of handling
cows and heifers very gently at all times.
He spoke favorable in relation to tho
system of ensilage. believing that it will
be quite generally adopted by farmers.
Mr.. Davis answered that he did not raise
roots, but feeds cotton seed meal. Gave
his method of feeding corn fodder and
straw with corn and cotton seed meal.
When oats are low in price would feed.
but when high should prefer to sell and
substitute more concentrated food. Would
grind corn with the cob, rs he believes
there is considerable value in the last
Mr.. Goodwin spoke in favor of grinding
cobs with the corn, but it should be ground
quite fine. Is now practicing feeding corn
in the ear to his horses, and finds that they
do we'll in this way. Is much in favor
of cotton seed meal for cows. Gives "a
pints of cotton seed and two quarts of
corn and cob meal to his cows per day,
and this feed causes the COWS to give
good product of butter. Has fed some Of
the cotton seed meal to cows in summer
with good effect, but too much should not
be given at time, AS this would cause
the butter to be oily.
Always get that which is ground fine,
as that is best. An interesting discussion
having lasted until quite late, the meeting
was adjourned until evening. Attendance
goon for the first day and interest we'll
sustained.
EVENING.
Lecture by Mr.. Goodwin on the culture
of Indian corn. Would recommend the
study of the growth of the corn plant to
young people, as its growth is wrapped in
mystery from its time of termination until
it is ripened. The first formed ears are
never the most perfect. and so would not
recommend picking the first ripened ears
for seed. By careful selection of seed
any variety of corn may be changed from
an earlier to a later, and vice versa.
Explained in an interesting manner the
way by which corn mixes, one variety
with another. The pollen of one variety,
the flower of the tasse falling upon the
silk of another. The same rules which
apply in the breeding of live stock hold
equally true in the raising and breeding
of any variety of corn. Our yellow corn
grown in the west becomes the dent a
peculiarty which is owing to climatic
influences. Would not raise too large
growing variety, but one that is compact
in its growth; ear mol too large with
kernels close together, and sure to ripen.
Prefers sod land for corn, and would insist
that it be thoroughly done with no balks,
On a heavy soil would pillow in the
fall, spread on in the winter on the
snow; would not put on more than
twelve loads, or four or five cords of
manure to the acre. In the spring put on
the disc harrow for planting. Marks in
rows l-2 feet apart. Uses q corn planter
wishes, and makes the hills from eighteen
;,,ah ahn1 har
have his corn planted with n mach inc than
with hoe.
After the corn appears above the ground
puts on light harrow with half inch
teeth, starting backward at an angle of 45
degrees, which destroys all the weeds and
does not injure the corn. If the ground is
very weedy second narrowing will be
necessary In few days. AS the corn gets
larger uses cultvator. going over the
ground once in or 5days or more accord
ing to the weather, till the tassel begins to
appear. At this time the roots begin to
fill the ground, and so completely that not
Il square inch of soil can be found but is
filed with roots. Would never hill corn.
Would cut corn as soon as the kernels
are glazed, not waiting for it to fully
mature.
Binds the corn in bundles and sets
several together, thus making them con-
venent to handle. Puts on fertilizers
broadcast; Would never put it in the hill
Mr.. Rowe inquiries if it is more profitable
to put the phos phate on in March than
just before plantingp Thinks it is. Does
not believe in plowing under manure
generally; would have it covered from 2
to inches deep.
WEDNESDAY FORENOON.
The meeting was called to order at 10
o'clock A. NJ. by the president, Mr.. Rowe,
and an address given by Henry Lane Of
! Cornwall upon Rotation of Crops"
| He remarked that he should lay down
no special system of rotation, but yet he
deemed it of great advantage to the
farmer to have system of rotation that
would in each case tend to fertilize the
soil by liberating plant food or rendering
| it more suitable for the incoming crop
Nature is our example for rotation of
crops in the change seen in the forests
wherever one growth is removed the new
growth shows change. So of weeds, as
even they change, for one will hold pos
session certain number OF years when
they give place to another variety. Yet
there is no system of rotation that if the
crop is removed each and every year will
keep up the fertility of the soil for any
long term of years. Hence we should see
to it that our farms are not depleted, but
fertilizers should be used to keep up the
condition, yet system of rotation is CON-
ducive 10 better crops.
The amount of matter taken from the
soil may be ascertained by burning and
weighing the ash which represents the
mineral constituents. This shows that
clover requires less fertility from the soil
while it takes more from the atmosphere
than other crops usually produced, and
hence is good crop for such as can raise
it. The roots of the clover leave more
nitrogen and potash in the soil, and as
they extend deeply into the subsoil they
exercise doubtless beneficial action upon
the soil for the next crop.
This lecture was followed by some
remarks by DR.. Cutting upon the amount
of fertilization that can be profitably
o.rl;oI Th;a nan oplu ha L..