The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-02-13
Farmers Meeting at Waitsfleld.

[. V
ident Of the Mad River Valley Agricultural So
ciety, was elected chairman, and gave an ap- |
propriate address OF welcome, saying that they |
had looked forward to this meeting as a |
medium Of information, and should expect not |
to be disappointed. He heartily welcomed the |
gentlemen of the board to their pleasant valley,
and indulged the hope that the meeting would |
be successful in every respect. Mr.. Lane re- |
sponded for the board and asked the hearty Co
operation of the farmers in all OF the exercises
OF the occasion, as 1t was only in this way the |
meeting could be made truly successful. Mr..
Smith next delivered a lecture on the Econ
omy OF Feeding Stock" He gave much useful
information In this lecture, which was well re-
ceived by the audience. He stated that from
his observation in this state, the farmers are
better provided with barns than in New York.
There more attention is paid to raising grass
than with us, and the stock is largely kept in
sheds instead of stables. The practice he did
not endorse, as he considered warm and venti-
lated stables OF the first consideration on a
well-regulated farm. The lecture was followed
by discussion on the proper feed for cows.
Mr.. Lane was OF the opinion that farmers were
too apt to feed all animals alike, without
reference to kinds, age, or use. This was
wrong, as 1t entails a loss growing animal,
COW giving milk, or fattening animal, require
q different ration of feeding material TO have
the best effect Farmers should be so informed
In this matter as to be able to so feed to pro-
duce the most successful results. Different
opinions were expressed on the proper way to
cure clover by Messrs Lane, Joslin, Bisbee
and Palmer, after which the meeting adjourned
until afternoon.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
Mr.. Lane took up the " Breeding of Blooded
Stock" and treated it in a very able manner,
showing thorough acquaintance with his
subject, which could only be acquired by care
full study and investigation. At the close of
the lecture, Mr. Bisbee asked il farmers
should purchase bgh-priced stock or improve
their own. Mr.. Lane considered 1t very i'm
portant to select judiciously and have full
blooded sires. Mr. Bsbee said the common
stock should be improved, and spoke Of the
value OF good feeding as an important factor
OF success in this direction. Calves have been
raised and sold as hign as $75 per pair in au
tumn-grade Durhams generally. Mr.. Bates
said that when farmers could raise calves that
will weigh five and six hundred pounds each
in the fall, it was pretty good business. Mr.
Davis referred to the fine cattle and horses
raised in Waitsfeld, some of which find their
way to his part of the state. He urged the
boys to raise and train more steers-good ones
as there will continue to be a good market
| for such stock at remunerative prices. Dur
ham cattle were introduced into this section,
some fifty years ago, by Mr.. N. S. Joslin. Mr..
| Bisbee discussed this matter, speaking OF the
introduction Of the stock, Of the means by
| which 1t has been improved and graded up to
the present time, and of the butter record Of
this stock, which goes as high as two hundred
and fifty pounds per COW for the dairy. Mr.. L.
t. Jones and Mr.. Davis spoke in favor of Jer-
seys for the dairy, advising farmers to continue
vigilant in the Improvement Of their stock.
| TUESDAY EVENING.
Some time was spent in answering numerous
questions of practical character. This was a
source from which much valuable information
was obtained. DR.. Cutting delivered a lecture
upon "Our Crops and How to Raise Them. "
| At the close of long and instructive address,
he gave the required information in relation to
the comparative value Of commercial fertilizers
and barn-yard manures, as produced from the
feeding of the various kinds OF fodder and
grain. He said he would preserve, under
shelter, the manure made after the snow goes
off in spring, until the following winter, and
| would spread manure in winter on both grass
and cultivated ground, and apply the required
amount every year. II both phosphoric acid
and potash are needed on the same land, hi
would mix bone-meal with ashes, as has beer
described for use. He does not favor manure
cellars under the stable, and would pay
particular attention to the ventilation. II.
would use from one-half bushel to one bushe
of salt to an acre for general crops, and thre,
to four bushels for cabbages. Turnips required
phosphoric acid. He advised getting gooc
seed, II possible. If the same seed is kept ovel
and sown for several years, the plants grow
will gradually deteriorate in yield and quality
Grass.seeds should be tested before sowing, a.
much that is sown is worthless.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
Mr.. Davis commenced the session with lee
ture on "Corn." This was fully illustrated
with charts, showing the growth and develop
ment of the plant from the commencement tt
the " full corn in the ear" He would plan
quite thickly, as in this way greater yield |
obtained and the stalks will stand up better. Oh
large averages fifty bushels of shelled cor
to the acre should be good crop. Rows shoul
be three feet and four inches apart. He woul,
spread manure directly from the wagon, instea
Of dropping in small heaps. The only way t
eradicate witch grass is constant and thorough
cultivation for three or four years. Very littl
OF this is found in this valley He advises
using horse.planter for planting, as it will d.
better work than the hand hoe. He did no
object to hiling corn, though many advis
plat cultivation. He would hill at the last tim
Of cultivating. Some discussion followed Il
relation to different harrows and cultivators
Mr.. Davis advocating the use Of the best a
always the cheapest in the end. He said tina
different treatment may be required on thes'
hill farms from that given in the Connection
River valley, where the fields are level an
large.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
short time was occupied in further dis
cussng the corn question, Mr.. Towle taking tn
lead. Questions we're then answered by Messrs
. Davis, Towle and others One related to barbe
, wire fencing. Most were in favor of it, as
cheap and durable fence, and it was though
that where stock Is raised on the farm littl
, danger Is to be apprehended from injury. Nj
q Davis, in treating Of meadows, said he woul
top dress while the soil and sward Is yet Il
i good condition, as 1t is more likely to produc
, continued good results than to wait until tn
Z hay crop has sadly deteriorated, and then'unde
a take to regain the lost condition by fertilizinl
, Mr.. Jones recommended feeding meal dry, pu
ting 1t on top Of the hay twice day. Nj
, Hastings stated that he has had much troubl
, from the depredations of a worm called tn
"railroad worm," in his orchard, that ha
. formerly been very thrifty, almost running tn
a crop of apples. The worms are hard to fine
are verv small, and of the color of the appl,
From the description given, this new enemy
what is known in the West as the pulp worm.
The outside of the apple appears all right, bI
4 the inside is perforated, the debris resemblin
. pulp or apple pomace, Fameuse suffer badly
Mr.. Davis spoke of the dairy industry in We
mont and was in favor of what is called wintt
!, dairying as advisable where the conditions al
u favorable for success. Arguments were brougf
= forward to indicate that thoroughbred jersey
= = are fully as hardy as the grades. notwithstant
= ing what had been said to the contrary. Nj
: Towle spoke on the production OF MAP
> Sugar." for which Waitsfield is somewht
noted.
= WEDNESDAY EVENING.
: MI Towle opened discussion on Potat
Y Culture" in which allusion was made to til
relative values of different fertilizers. Aft,
this discussion, Mr.. Davis occupied the remail
, der of the evening In a talk upon the Waste
| of the Farm" On motion of Mr.. @. Il. Jone