Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-02-28
Farmers Meeting at Cabot.

was held in the town hall on Tuesday ana
Wednesday, February Goth and 2lst. On
the forenoon of the first day the meeting
: was called 70 order by Sec. Cutting and
j. M. Fisher appointed chairman.
DIR. Cutting then occupied the session
with general address on "What may be
Learned by Observation" Many points
of interest to farmers were touched upon
and practical illustrations given to enforce
their importance. In speaking upon the
weather the doctor referred TO the value of
the signal service and the RI ports of the
same in the daily papers. and wished that
: these reports conld be more generally
circulated among the farmers. In relation
TO having he advanced the idea that
instead of the practice OF farmers in
spreading green hay around in several
places, for the purpose of further curing
in the barns, it were to be filled in solid in
one NOW as fast and soon as possible, the
quality would be much improved. This is
much on the principle of putting ensilage
in silo. The barn doors should not be
kept open more than is absolutely neces.
sary, contrary to prevons practice. He
condemned the ;,ractce of feeding straw
alone and then the hay in the same
manner. The two should be fed together
with small quantity of concentrated
food, or cotton seed meal in addition, 10 be
the most profitable The stable should be
made warm even 10 GO degrees, but they
should be thoroughly ventilated. The
last is very important, otherwise the
fodder and The milk will De contaminated
and the health of the animals impaired.
A man should never smoke while milking
and should otherwise practice the greatest
care and cleanliness. lie would also have
ample wooden ventilator boxes extending
| from the stable to the roof and also slight
openings leading up above the heads of
the animals. If manure is kept in cellar
special pains should be paid to the ventla-
ton. In answer to n question the doctor
stated that for large barn the ventilators
should be from three to four feet square.
lie would not over dry hay. and the ledder
will hasten the process. When hay is
put in NOW quite green, after filling it
would be well TO cover with straw, or
even to mix the straw with the hay in
filling. He would not sal! the hay when
putting it in the barn as it will not be
distributed evenly. and all animals do not
want the same amount of salt ut any time
lie would prefer to give salt as needed
and does not believe that saltpetre is
beneficial for healthy stock, but that salt
is necessary He thinks that certain |
amount of salt, not exceeding two bushels |
per acre, would be benefit to most soils |
Animals need phosphorlc acid, and II
there is not enough of this IN the soil 1t |
should be supplied in some form. Give
bone meal as substitute, but apply 1t 10 |
the land as permanent benefit Feeding |
bran and roots are preventative. More |
attention should be paid to the pastures, |
and it is thought that land plaster and |
perhaps salt would assist in their improve |
ment. To derive the most benefit from |
| the land plaster it should be sown early, |
as it requires large amount of moisture |
to render it soluble and of value. He |
does not think that ground lime rock |
would be of any use, unless on muck or |
sour soil. AS to the use of ashes, Il
farmer can best determine whether or not
they are of value on his land. Where
they work we'll they are cheap fertilizer.
He spoke of the loss resulting from grass
becoming permanently lodged and said
that this should be prevented so far as
possible by suitable and judicious fertill
zation.
Adjourned until afternoon.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
The chairman called the meeting to
order at 2 o'clock and introduced Mr..
Davis, who delivered n general and
instructive address on the WASTES of
the farm" This was well received by
the large audience, after which some
questions were answered by MIR. Davis.
Would have manure cellar if possible,
and use plenty of absorbents to soak up
the liquid portion. Would have stable
from so to 60 degrees in winter, but 1t
should be we'll ventilated. His experience
would warrant the turning manure under
on his alluvial soil as late in the spring
as possible. Is troubled much with witch
grass. Would run Thomas smoothing
harrow over field of corn when small
in any direction.
Some discussion was engaged in relating
to various dairy matters, after which Mr..
J. R. Kenerson of Peacham read a paper
on the Making and marketing of butter"
As this paper will probably be printed
in full, no abstract will be given. 1t was
of much interest and WAS fully discussed.
Next DR.. Cutting exhibited and
explained the working of simple milk
tester, that should be of great value TO
farmers in determining the richness of the
milk of their cows. This completed the
exercises of the afternoon, and the meeting
was adjourned until evening. The attend
ance was very large, and the capacous
hall well filled with an appreciative
audience. Cabot appears TO be an
excellent farming region, and the indica-
tions are that the inhabitants are heartily
interested in their occupation. We were
also pleased to find farmers and their
wives present from the adjoining towns.
EVENING.
The audience assembled at an early
hour, when Mr.. Davis occupied a short |
time in talking upon dairy matters. and
answered the questions that were asked of
him. Would prefer grade Jerseys for
COWS. Cut rye when in the blossom for
eeding green, and sweet corn when the
ears are in the milk.
At Z: 80 DR.. Cutting took up the subject
assigned him on the programme, "Plant
growth" and delivered an elaborate and
very instructive lecture. After the address
some questions we're answered by the doc.
tor. Would always apply manure or fer
tilzers broadcast and not in the hill. Is
not OF opinion lLat manure loses nuCn Dy
evaporation. The freezing and thaw;ng
of manure spread on the land in winter is
an advantage rather than otherwise.
Mr.. Kenerson could not see the advan-
tage of spreading manure in winter. Is of
opinion that when put on frozen ground it
will work away. He has the best results
with manure spread in fall or spring. DIR.
Cutting further explained and confirmed
the theory of winter application, but
would not advise farmers to adopt the sys-
tenn on their land unless it is found to work
well.
Mr.. Pitkin was not in favor of winter
manuring.
The doctor stated that the sediment
which is deposited on some meadows is
silt and not manure. An excess OF any
fertilizing matter is injurious to the crop.
A farmer present stated that he has long
practiced applying manure to plowed land
In October with good results.
The doctor stated that his land is all
quite uneven. Superphosphate made from
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