Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-06-15

it, in given time, as a strong man with
two pairs of oxen and driver could per-
form with the plows once used. The
wonderful improvements in farm ma
chinery of all descriptions should have
as completely revolutionized the pleas
ures and profits of Western Vermont
agriculture, as their use has that of the
West.
There is another agency too often neg
lected, which in this work of renovation
performs an equally important office with
that of farm machinery and frosts, and
that is clover. | speak of it here only as
disintegrator of the soil. Add to this
its many other virtues, of which | shall
speak in future article, and we have an
agency capable of revolutionizing the
agriculture of our State. 1t may do for
us, If we will but use it as extensively,
what it has already done for English ag-
riculture.
We hear much Boosting of the wonders
wrought by the use of alfalfa in Califor-
mia, and other sections of the West, yet
the best authorities pronounce clover.
where it grows in perfection as with us,
to be much the better crop. Western
Vermont farmers cannot afford to longer
neglect its general adoption for purposes
of renovation, and as fodder-producing
crop.
There is another defect in the general
farm practice of this section, which has
an important bearing upon financial re-
suits, and that it is in the application of
manure, and especially to clay soils. 1t
should invariably be applied to them
when the ground is frozen. The later
accumulations can on most farms be APP
piled to loan soils devoted to cultivated
crops.
The wages of farm hands are not as
high i'm the winter, and other farm work
not so pressing. Manure, for various
much more cheaply than at any other.
Hauling directly from the stable saves
repitching the entire mass much larger
loads may be drawn, and these more cas-
ily loaded than on wagons; it can thus
be taken to distant fields more rapidly
and cheaply. Winter hauling prevents
that ruinous packing of clay soils caused
by driving upon them, especially when
moist; it renders manures more available
as the soluble portions are dissolved by
spring rains and absorbed by the soil
1t also hastens the work of spring seed
ing, so absolutely indispensable to CROP
production, on clay soils, in seasons OF
early drouth.
With all these advantages in favor OF
winter manuring, the old irrational prac
tice of spring or fall manuring is, in thi:
section, still the rule, and winter manur
ing the exception. A large portion Of
our farmers allow more or less of theil
manures to lay over until fall, and thi:
often when exposed to rains and even t.
the drippings of the water from the caves
over the "hole in the WALL through
which they were dumped in winter.
As well might the banker allow hi
funds to remain unemployed for the en-
tire year or expose large portion o
them to the pilferings of the thieves o
the neighbOrhood. Ought it to be a mat
result i'm ruined farms and the constant,
increasing mortgage Indebtedness of tn
farmers in sections where such practice
are common? 1t is this style of farmin!
that don't pay in Western Vermont. lie
us apply figures to this work of farm
renovation, that we may better under
stand its Importance and appreciate tn
opportunities which this section afford
for profitable investments to young mel
of energy and enterprise.
| will state in the outset that the annu
al rental value of the best pasture land
located in some of our best agriculture
districts is but one dollar per acre. Sue
rents, after paying taxes, supporting
fences, etc., represent valuation of les
than SIS per acre with money at six pc
cent. interest. | will also state that Ell
tire farms, including buildings and tn
usual farm improvements, often sell 70
even less than this sum per acre.
submit the question, whether fact
like these furnish material for the deve
opment of either agricultural or stat
pride, for buncOmbe political speeches
showing the rapid increase in Vernon
wealth, her booming agriculture, ETC.?
But what you ask, of the mathematics
demonstration promised? | will subm
the annual gross and net results of yer
simple six years rotation, applied to
field of l3 acres, in actual practice. 1t
not an exceptional case, but may be r.
garded as an average of the results {
many years practice in the renovation {
clay soils. The grain was measured, BIT
) the hay was estimated, but at NANTES
ly low estimate. The values affixed
both are not the prices actually receive
for the portion sold, or the present hig
!. prices of such products, but the loves
market values which have prevailed for
long time past. The barley was much {
, it sold for seed, at eighty cents per busl
ell, while good clover. hay, fed to goo
dairy stock, is manifestly worth MOI
-, than $3.50 per ton. With these explains
tions | submit the following table, SHOW
ing the gross and net results per acre, f.
each of the six years:
: First year, B bushels peas and oats,
at SOC per bushel ...Sl6 30
Cost of production per acre, includ-
l ing seed. ...-................' D on
r Net receipts per acre .............. Sll
q Second year, 26 bu. barley at soc
per bushel. ..Sl3 %
: Cost including seed, barley, clover
$ ana timothy. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 10
. Net receipts per acre. ............. -
- Third year. pa tons clover hay AT
. $500 per ton... ....................S vi 20
L Cost oil labor. ....................... 90
n Net receipts per acre...........,.. SIS
Fourth year, tons clover hay at
- Ss.00 per ton. .................... vi w
Cost OF laDOr..... .........-..-...... %
q Net receipts per acre. Sli