Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-03-05

"Grain Raising in Vermont The pres
ent and prospective of Vermont agricul-
ture are not encouraging, he said. West
ern competition, Western over-produc-
ton and cheap transportation are fact
ors in the agricultural problem which we
cannot afford to overlook. The Western
farmer is practically nearer our principal
Eastern markets than we of Vermont.
The results are our markets are Hooded
and broken, while labor is comparatively
high. There is general and too truthful
complaint that farming does not pay.
Low prices tempt farmers to buy what
they should raise themselves. Conse-
quently there is Il constant and ruinous
outflow of money from the State for the
agricultural productions of other sec
tons. We as a people spend millions OF
dollars annually for things which must
and can be better produced here. Let
us examine the list: We buy grain in
all its forms. seeds, beef, pork, lard, fuel,
lights, fruit trees and fruit, and even pay
untold thousands of dollars for the ma
nure with which we fertilize our soils.
gate expense of all this, the wonder is
that we have not been financially ruined.
This must and can be changed, and this
tremendous outflow stopped, if Vermont
intelligence and enterprise can but be
properly enlisted in the work. We must
and can raise more, sand buy less. We
farmers can and should raise our own
grains. while feeding much more than
we now do. and that with constantly
increasing fertility in our farms. We
must have two objects in farming, viz;
the production of large crops and large
manure piles. We must systematic our
agriculture, organize success as in other
callingS. 4 system should be adopted
which is within the reach of all; one
which is Inexpensive, and will pay from
the outset; system by the aid of
which onr young men can buy farms and
pay for them: one which. while it sup
plies the wants of the farm, will con-
stantlv add to its fertility. The princi-
pies of fertilization were then discussed,
and the details of what he belived to be
correct practice pointed out and the rea-
sons for their adoption. By such sys-
TEN, he had reason to know by practical
experience, the average Vermont farmer
can raise his own grains, while feeding
much more than he now does. The gen
eral impression that embarrassing is nee
essarily attended with deterioration is a
mistake. No farm crop raised when re-
turned to the soil will do this. 1t is its
sale or waste that deteriorates. The APP
pliances for saving manure, time of appli-
cation. etc. were discussed. and also the
question of farm machinery. He believed
that we must use more machinery, sub
stitute horse power for man power and
that it can be done successfully in Yer
mont. The subject of agricultural i'm
provement is one of vital importance to
the State. and one in which every YER
monter should feel an interest. What
of the future of Vermont: Shall it
be less honorable than the past?
Geographically small, she has been
mighty through her sons, and to-day
what empire State of our republic COM
mandS more respectful attention. or eX-
erts more controlling influence in the
councils of the nation than Vermont,
through her EdmundS and her Morrill,:
4 hn ~ # Stlt * m tni n
ed, it will be through the development
of her material interests. Upon the pc
cunary prosperity must depend her so
cial educational and political develop
mcnt. We are, and must necessarily re-
main, an agricultural people, and upon
this industry we must base our hopes of
success. Shall we mserably fail to de-
velop it, and thus allow our State to 90
down, and her light to 90 out: 1t is for
us to determine what her future shall be.
If the intelligence, enterprise and energy
of our people can be enlisted in the work
and our agricultural resources properly
developed we may stop the outflow of
millions of dollars from our State, and
thus save to it the means of securing an
educational, and through this channel, Il
political development and influence,
which will still enable Vermont to COM
mand the respect of the nation, and be
recognized in the political horizon rs the
''Star which never sets"
The discussion which followed was of
such an interesting character as to pro-
long the meeting till nearly one o'clock.
The afternoon session was almost Who'll
ly taken up by an address by DIR. ii. \.
Cutting, secretary of the board, on Fer
tiliZng our Lands for Profit" and those
buying commercial fertilizers would do
well to adopt his suggestions, to find by
plot experiment what the land needs, and
give it just that and no more, rs too much
phosphate tends to produce rank vege-
tation, but Il smaller yield of grain.
The evening session was opened by a