Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-09-18
ADDRESS OF DIR. LORING.
Valuable Suggestions and Interesting
Reminiscences-An Abstract.

Reminiscences-An Abstract.
The speaker began by referring to the
condition of Vermont as an agricultural
State. In this industry, he said her ser
vice has been great. Possessed of Il fer
tile soil and surface well adapted to til
lage and grazing, she has distinguished
herself in many of the most important
branches of farming. 1t will not be for
gotten of her that for Ia long time she
stood foremost in the extent and quality
of her dairy and in the value of her cattle
Her Morgan horses first established the
reputation of the American horse as an
animal peculiarly adapted to the wants of
the American people. To the great wool
producing industry of the country her
services have been invaluable and the
name of Hammond as the producer of the
improved American merno will always
stand with those of Bakwell and COlling
among the eminent breeders Of the world.
During all the years of her existence Yer
mont has held a distinguished place
among the agricultural States of the
Union. Her record to-day is highly
credtable, and her people in their homes,
on their farms, as citizens of her numer-
Gus municipalities are constantly per-
forming their part in maintaining the rep
utation of the New England farmer
With IA territory of comparatively small
proportions and with industry uninflu-
enced by active speculation, she presents
steady growth during the last thirty years
The number of farms in this State has in
creased from %, 133 in 1880 to 30 522 in 1880
More than 100000 acres have been added
to the improved land here during that
period. The aggregate value of the farms
has risen from Sd, 3Gi ,221 in 1850 to SlOg-
346,OlO, in 1850. In agricultural nipple
ments and machinery the increase in
value has been from s., 1392s2 in 1880 to
s4,s19,2S5 in 1850. The corn crop has re
manned nearly the same, the product
reaching "A little more than :. 600 600 bush
els annually. The growth of oats has in
creased more than II million bushels-be-
ing over 3, 49, S2 bushels annually The
amount of hay produced in 1850 was !,
O3l 1873 tons as against S6G, 1913 tons in 1870.
The yield of potatoes in 1850 was 4, 43S l12
bushels slight decrease from 1850 and IA
very material decrease from the crop of
5, 49,, 42S bushels in 1870. The value of
the live stock increased from SIP 200. 600 in
1850 to SIG $50, l95 in 1850. The number of
horses increased from 81 ,Oj1 to 15,2l5 In
common with the other New England
States her number of working oxen de
clined largely-there being oniy Is, SIS in
1880 as against 4S511 in 1880 while her
COWS increased from iG,l2S in 1880 to u Z
OBS III 1880 exceeding by far the number
IN any other New England State And
while her growth of wool has greatly de
creased her production of butter has more
than doubled, reaching % ,24O, s26 pounds
in 1880 1t may be interesting for YOU to
know that the manufacture of cheese in
Vermont fell from nearly 5000, 900 pounds
in 1850 to u million and half in 1880.
These figures are significant and indicate
the direction agriculture is taking here
But Vermont is distinguished as much
for the zeal of her leading citizens in
placing the agricultural Intelligence of the
country on high plane as for her practi-
cal work, 70 her senior Senator the
country is indebted for the establishment
of those industrial colleges in every State,
which while they bear the name of agri-
cultural colleges are engaged in convey
ing vast amount of scientific informa-
ton and lin rousing the minds of those en-
gagged IN the practical affairs of life to
new energy and skill. Education in az
rlculture has received most bOuntiful aid
from those who have represented her, and
the Morrill, land bill will always he re-
garded as guide and precedent by all
who recognize the duty of the general
government to encourage the education
of the people. This is the work in which
this association is engaged and tor which
1t is entitled to special encouragement and
support. 1t belongs to the educational in
situations of our country, when by sOcie
ty, and school and experiment station,
and associations of every description tn,
farmer should be assisted IN his Caiilnl