Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-01-30

The chairman spoke Of the havoc made by
white grubs in pastures.
Mr.. Douglass would pillow and re-seed the
injured places.
The chairman thought these places might
be narrowed after sowing on bone-dust and
grass seed
The "crow question" was brought up, and
various opinions we're expressed by the farm
ers in relation to keeping them out Of the
cornfeld. Mr.. Davis would protect the birds,
as he has no trouble in keeping them out Of
the cornfed by feeding. They destroy large
numbers of worms and insects injurious to
vegetation. Mr.. Douglass has more trouble
with backbirds than crows.
In answer to the question, "What shall be
given to COWS to prevent them from chewing
bones and pieces Of boards p Mr.. Douglass
said he considered clover hay and bran bene-
fetal. Another found ootton-seed meal good
good word was spoken in relation to the
value Of Alsike clover for hay. Alfalfa is not
adapted to our location and climate.
Gen. Phelps spoke of the deterioration of
pastures, the exhaustion Of bone material,
and the necessity of replacing it in some
way.
Mr. Douglas believed in the renovating
power OF clover for failing pastures. Bone
ia excellent as a fertilizer, and should be used
as extensively as possible, if not at too great
cost But we should not buy what can be
produced at home.
At the close of long discussion the meet
ing was adjourned.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
Refreshments were served by the ladies. of
the Univers alist society in their dining rooms
in excellent style, and all were cared for in
absence of hotel accommodations. The peo-
pie of the town were very hospitable, and
ha looEnut 10 fnaha tsat
home" and comfortable. The meeting was
well sustained by an earnest and profitable
discussion, in which practical knowledge was
sought for Oh q great variety Of subjects.
This is what the gentlemen of the board Of
agriculture like, and those present at this
meeting were much pleased with the recep-
ton they met aud the courtesies received.
After selection Of music with which the
audience were favored from time to time), a
poem written by Mrs. Jennie E. Gale, on
Labor" was read by Mrs. F. e. Ward. Sue
ceeding this, Mr.. Davis gave an instructive
lecture on Errors"
He began by saying that we may often
learn more from our errors than from our
successes, if we remember well the lessons
inculcated by them and learn to avoid their
repetition in the future. He was glad to
learn that agriculture was not declining in the
old historic town of Guilford. Then what is
the reason so many are dissatisfied and want
ing to make some change? There must be
some cause somewhere-errors that must be
corrected in order that our time .honored oc.
cupation may be more successful.
A farmer should be adapted to his occups-
ton, aud learn to love it as a business, in or
der to do his utmost TO excel He should
adapt his business to his soil, location and
preferences, whether it be dsirying, the keep
ing of sheep, or the raising of horses. One
great error is in buying things that are not
really needed, because they are cheap. II
they are not needed they will be dear at any
price. We should not buy that which we can
just as well produce. One thing-farmers
should raise more corn, as it is a profitable
crop, both to feed aud to improve the soil.
We import from the West as much grain,
-four and feed as we produce, at a cost Of
millions of dollars. This is an error that
should, for our own benefit, be corrected so
far as possible. 1t is an error If farmers with
poor or failing pastures do not raise fodder
corn to supplement the decreasing grasses
He spoke of the importance of applying ma
nure, where possible, late in the fall and in
winter, so that it may by rains and melting
SHOWS be dissolved and carried into the sur
face soil, to be more readily appropriated by
the growing crops. Some kinds of stock will
gain twice as much as others in feeding, as
to secure early growth and maturity, as this
eau be more cheaply obtained in all kinds of
animals than by taking year or two extra
| TO get the same result. We must take better
care of our stock, and an important part of
! this is to have warm and comfortable stables.
A farmer should be able to buy and sell to
advantage, and this requires some idea of
| business methods. We should read more and
| better inform ourselves, SO that we may act
inteligently. We should get as near the con-
| sumner as We can. And yet the speaker would
not deprecate the middlemen, as they are a
necessity of the times. We should put our
products for market in an attractive style and
not cheat in the process. Some may practice
what is called linked farming" to advantage
There should be system in our work, and it
should always be done at the proper time.
1t will be for our own benefit to drive our
work, and not let it drive u.s.
1t is an error that we do not make our
homes what they should be-the dearest and
best places on earth. The speaker hoped we
should all go to our homes from this meeting
with the desire and determination to do bet.
ter in our practices in the future-to seek TO
make our occupation more pleasant and prof.
liable.
At the close of the lecture General Phelps
made some remarks, heartily endorsing the
views advanced by Mr. Davis He spoke OF
the importance of raising good stock as a
step in the right direction. We should also
be more self-supporting. The old war vete-
ran made ringing speech, in which he made
some sharp hits at prevailing practices and
suggested means of improvement.
Mr.. Davis made some remarks in favor of
Jerseys as butter cows. Mr.. Douglass likes
these COWS, but said some of them were poor,
hence judgment is necessary in their selection.
He considered medium s. Zed animal wheth-