Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-02-20
far mprs' Institute at stowe,

imrrs' institute at Stove.
The meeting of the board for I.amoill
county was held in Village Hull, Feb. 12tl
and 18Th The meeting was called to OF
der by Geo. wilkins, Esq of Stowe. OF
| the forenoon Of the first dav, and who
ic'ed ns chairman. There being only on,
member If The board present the prelim
+. II Towle delivered an address on thu
Improvement of pastures "
A'The consideration of this subject occu
pied lhe forenoon session 1t was one o
interest to the farmers and they took ar
clve part in the discussions. From ihes'
it appeared that the pastures are sadly de
teriora'ing in This t. wn, not being able t.
carry near rs much stock as generation
ago
l. WIS stated that brakes and moses arr
laking he place of the grass. Not much
attempt has vet been made for their i'm.
provcmcn', the attention being occupied
instead with the meadows and fields fol
cultivation.
Sime she p are kept on most Of the
fal ms and are found 10 do we'll perhap>
better han 'he cows A considerable por
ion being susceptible of cultivation. j.
would seen, that this part mig be i'm
proved by II moderate and judicious outla,
of time and expense. Instances of i'm
provelpent were given that should encour
age Others to undertake this work of rem
ovation with Il reasonable prosp' ct of sue
cess
One instance of thorough summer fal
lowing, followed the next year with a
sowed crop and seeding to grass, wa.
given, ard which was found to work we'll
AS TO seeding one farmer spoke very ia.
vorahle Of Aske clover as a fodder plant,
and another of The advantages of sowing
red-.op with the other grasses us adapted
to most kind of soils.
One farmer recommended seeding quite
heavily when stocking down to grass, as
the grass or hay will be improved in both
quality and quantity. AS the pastures are
tertiliZed the brakes will be found to dis
appoar and the grasses occupy the ground.
One instance WAS given where the increase
of stool, had had a tendency TO subdue the
brakes. The discussion lasted until noon
when the meeting adjourned.
AFTERNOON.
On calling the meeting TO order the
concerning the importance of agriculture.
He thought that one object that will be
accomplished hy the board of agriculture
will be the doing away of much of the
prejudice Of farmers concerning book
learning, rs it Is called. lie is of the
opinion that men are much more ready
and willing TO accept the results that have
BEEN obtained by those in whom they have
confidence, and profit by them, than the
statements of mere theorists. lie spoke
of the deterioration of farms in Stowe--a
town that at one time stood very high in
agricultural production-as of serious
nature He hoped that at these meetings
something would be said that would en-
courage farmers to renewed activity in
their occupation. Agriculture is the ba.
sis of civiliztioh,an and we might add Chris
tiani,y If it tlourishes, all other occupa-
tiuns and professions are benefited; If il
fails, all others suffers with it.
He spoke OF the advantages OF Vermont
AS a slate to live in, and thought that il
many of those who leave Our borders
would be content to remain at home and
help to advance our agricultural interests,
al would be more generally benefited
He referred to the sanitary condition OF
our homes as deserving Of more attention,
and is pleased to learn that this subject has
received so much attention from the board
He thought that more encouragement
should he given to practical education in
he state, and hoped that rs result oi
those meetings incre ,sed thought and in
vestigation will be fostered and lead to
more generally good results in this COM
mon industry of our state.
At the conclusion of this very practical
address, Mr.. Pemher made brief re-
sponse for the board, after which he de-
ligercd an instructive address on General
Farming
At the close of the address short time
was occupied in remarks.
Mr.. Barhaw inquired which would be
better 10 RAISE fodder corn to feed green.
Or to ripen and feed the grain?
Mr.. Pember favored the fodder corn as
likely to produce the best results.
Adiourue'.
EVENING.
Coming together in good season. Mr.. j
w. Newton Of Stowe, first spoke upon the
Conditions Of Successful Farming"
The first condition was a contentment
With the occupation, love for it and
iesire to excel. lie thought that some
imes Young farmers, especially, are dis
outraged hv the gloomy accounts given in
agricultural papers, that farming does not
)uy. etc
We may compare our occupation with
,thers, and we shall almost invariably
ind that we are more uniformity success
ul and much more free from a multitude
If perplexities.