Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-09-26
Agricultural.
Addrc.. Of N w. Davis at the County

successful continuance for 81 years-a period
during which many other similar organiza-
tions had become extinct. The people of
the county should still sustain it by contrbu.
tions to the exhibition, and by their attend
ance, by which the treasury is roplenished.
If he were to ask who was present at the first
fair of the society, on the village common 80
years ago, how few among all those present
would respond. Since that time great changes
have taken place. Art and science have
evolved startling facts. The children and
the grandchildren Of those who first
gathered here now enter at yorder gate.
Practically they are not different from their
parents and grandparents. But, il 80 years
ago you had sought for such beautiful cattle
as are now exhibited if any were found they
would have been rare specimens Their an
cestors were then down in the rich districts Of
Durbamsbire, Eng feeding in the little isl
and Of jersey in the English channel the
Devon in the highlands Of Devonshire, and
the pondorous Ilolsttin down on the irrigated
fields of Holland. Other breeds we had
scarcely heard Of at that time. Though we
had now the rarest specimens of certain
bIttuh VI rhF'I az B'l'Nfh thht AhNlA mum
her was so mesgre. The present breed of
horses was contrasttd with the Morgans,
Backhawks, Rattlcrs, etc, Of 80 years ago
here there was 10 Improvement, but in agri-
cultural machinery there had been surprising
progress. The mowers, respeis, plows and
various implements were compared with those
in use when this society was first organized.
oil thnrnuUh bVaaa IN,
axles was contrasted with the elegant car.
riages hung upon steel elliptics, upholstered
with silk, velvet or plush, with woodwork pol
ished like mirror, now in common use.
These were some Of the changes that have
taken place. Still there are dark clouds preg-
nant with sadness ard gloom. All through
the state what were once desirable homes
and might be now--are going to decay and
ruin, and many have been deserted but,
looking away from the clouds, we listen, we
hear the whistle of the engine, we see the
trains of cars, beautiful teams and carriages
pass to and fro, aud we see beautiful villages
and hamlets, and occasionally costly man
sion
In 1915 the population of Windham coun.
ty was 2s,242; in 1860, 29,9S2; in 1870, 90
O3G in 1880, 2G, 1913. From 1860 to 1870
the county diminished 9lG; from 1870 to
1850 it gained 727. In the 20 years from
1860 70 1850 we lost 2l9. From 1870 to 1880
six towns in the county have gained 2OGs
The gain has been in Brattleboro, 047; Rock
ingham, 943; Westminster, 1879; jamaica
20; Stratton, s Brookline, .. The county
hoo, e
800 aores-an average of PSI acres to each
farm, cutting 79,S72 tons of hsy-less than a
ton to the acre. In 1864 we had 341 3 horses ;
in 1880, 4S9O in 1864, II, 525 mich cows ;
in 1850, 10, SO7 in 1864 we had 9S, $40 sheep ;
in $780, 49,, 2lS. Since 1860 the number of
oxen has decreased 80 per cent.
Following these statistics Mr.. Davis gave a
rather discouraging account of farming in
this section for the past two years. The sug-
ar naples had failed each of these years to
yield their usual supplies Fruit had been
wholly or partially failure. Crops had been
greatly damaged by late frosts in the spring
and early frost in the fall. There had been
plague of grasshoppers, drouth had parch-
ed the land and the hay crop was diminished
nearly one-half 1t was surprising that in the
face of such discouragements so good an ex-
hibition should be made aud so many should
attend it.
Questions pertaining to national agricul
ture were considered and statistics of exports
and imports given. 1t is the surplus produce
of American farmers sent abroad that putt
the balance of trade on the right side Eng
lish agricultural statistics were compared with
American. England has this year under
wheat 1900, 600 acres. America has over
9,OOO,O 600; 1915, 900 under oats, against
1000, 600 in America. America has GA, 600,
600 acres of corn England none. England
5000, 600 cattle against 30, 900, 600 in Amer
ca 1000, 600 sheep against 80, 600, 600 il
America.
Abiding to the great number of boys anc
young men who leave the farm, the speaker
put into the mouth of father these words
"WeH, the BOY could get along aud do wei
and make money If he would do as We did
work, be saving aud stop this extravaganza o.
his" Line upon line has been written, es
say upon essay, on how we should keep tn,
boys from leaving the farm. Some have trieC
to convince the boys of Vermont that thi
was the place for all of them. No let tn,
surplus go, and God speed them on thti
march rs they ascend the great water shed o
the Rocky Mountains aud pitch over to NEE
their brothers on the other side. We ar,
glad that among our exports we have strong
active young men to spare. We rejoice tina
we now have IN the West more than 200, OOt
men and women, born between the Berkshir,
hills and Canada, large number of them o
the representative class that are moulding tn,
society of the new states.
We have here a new condition of things
The mill that once run smoothly has ceased
to grind. A new departure confronts us
But how conservative people we are How
long shall we carry a stone in one end of tn
bag to balance the weight in the other
Great changes have been wrought since tn
first meeting of this society legitimate farm
ing hen would not be legitimate farming to
day necessity has compelled a new deal, tn
adoption of new tactics Railroads hav,
changed centres and opened anew the lif
currents of commerce. Telegraphic and tel
ephonic communication reaches every villaR
anu bahlots NOmptlltlon OF the 6narpes
character is so increased that whoever doe
business to-day must do a large bushes
sharply managed if he accumulates fast a
the per cent of profit is small This has de
veloped farm machinery and improved i'm
plements. The old fashioned farmer mus
give up his proconceived notions and ham
no longer to the bottom round of the ladder
When we realize our true situation and adop
new system, new set of books for farm
accounts, and the notices, "Live within GU
means" PAY as we CO." buy not what W,
do not need, a new and happy era will hav,
dawned upon u.s.
Mr.. Davis drew a sad picture of the cond
tion of many Vermont farmers Says one:
and my wife have toiled hard to gain for on
children and ourselves the comforts of life
We are rooted and grounded in this soil; thi
is our home, and on earth we desire no other
This once $4,000 farm, which sum we agree,
to give for it, paying $4,000 purchase none,
and mortgaging for the remainder, will sci
now for only $4,000, and l am destitute
What shall | do In his work through tn
state, as member Of the board of agriculture
Mr.. Davis came in contact with MANY in sin,