Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-03-09
CLOSE OF THE FARMERS: COURSE.
Lectures by Prof Cooke, Il. c. Smith and
Remarks of President Buclham,

Lectures by Prof. Cooke, Il. G. Smith and
Remarks of President Buclsham,
The last meeting in the course of lectures
for farmers was held at the experiment
station Friday afternoon. Prof. w. w.
Cooke of the University first spoke on
''Pot Experiments, " saying that the action
of fertilizers on plants could be studied in
two ways, one by the use of pots
and the other with plots of land
the former being the more re-
liable, because by using pure, white
sand the results obtained would be due
entirely to the action Of the fer
| liners applied and would not be affected
by any ingredients Of the soil
as would very likely be the case with ex-
periments on plot of ground. Prof.
Cooke then gave the results OF some pot
experiments conducted under his supervis-
ion during the past three months They
went to show that insoluble phosphates,
If ground fine enough, would act as fertil-
izers. The results of some experiments
conducted by an eminent French scientist
showing the effect that different sub
stances had upon plants were given. 1t
was found that no coloring matter could
be formed in a plant without the presence
of iron. sulphur is necessary for some
| vegetables such as onions and turnips
Phosphoric acid, nitrogen, silica, lime,
magnesia, potash and soda are especially
needed as fertilizers.
President Buckham then introduced
| Mr.. Rollin G. Smith of PittsfO-d, a mem
Der of the State Board of Agriculture,
who spoke on the subject OF the dairy.
Mr.. Smith said that for the past 20 years
no agricultural meeting has been complete
without some reference to the dairy and
yet the butter made to-day is no better than
it was 90 years ago We have in Vermont
about 2lS,OOO cows, or an average of six
| for every farm. There are 800 diaries in
the State that make 300 pounds of butter
TO the COW, but the average production of
all the farmers taken together is only 1870
pounds per COW, which will not pay the
farmer for keeping the dairy, Something
must be done 20 change this state OF a..
fairs. Strong, rugged, healthy and docile
cows are necessary for successful dairy
ing. The farmer must know what kind
OF cow is most fitted for his purposes and
insist on having this kind. Not enough
attention Is given to breeding. No good
COW was ever poor feeder, though some
poor COWS are good feeders The raising of
Il calf has much to do with her future use
fulness and too many farmers think only
how she can be raised the cheapest. No
sour milk ought to be given until the calf is
at least month old. The milk fed after
the calf has been turned out to pasture
ought not to be sufficient to meet the de-
said that too much care cannot be taken
to prevent overlooking. The place where a
COW is kept should be perfectly dry. When
the milk is tit for use the calf should be
taken from her and the COW put in her
customary place A sudden change from
dry feed to grass will very likely result in
some change not beneficial to the cow
| For this reason it is we'll to turn her out
as soon as the first spot of green grass APP
pears, The most trying time for our dairy
COWS is from the latter part of July till
fail feeding Begins, unless some special
age of feed Injuries the COW for the dairy
and one way to avoid this shrnkage is to
stable her over night. Much time too is
gained in this way, for one of the most
trying tasks on the farm is to get the cat
tie from the pasture to the milk
dairyman, should raise fodder corn
and feed it generously, though not
when it is green Cows should 90 to the
barn in the fall as soon as the first frost
comes and be kept with great care as to
the feed and the warmth of stable through
the winter. Farmers should raise their
own grain and feed it out. Almost any
crop raised on farm is valuable for feed g.,
if only for a change. Grain fed in March
shows itself IN June as much as it does
two weeks after feeding. A good mixer
should milk about ten cows an hour and
he should have no other business on hand
when milking. Cows should be driven to
the yard fully Is minutes before milking
time.
President Buckham then called for the
report of the committee appointed at the
last meeting to investigate and report
what action, if any, would be advisable
for the class to take in regard to the Scott
oleomargarine bill now pending in Con-
gre5s, but the committee was not prepared
to report In closing the meeting PreS!-
dent Buckham said that the course had
been reasonably successful one. although
the attendance had not been quite up to
what was expected. He felt sure that
those who had improved the opportunity
to listen to experts III the various branches
of agriculture and ask questions OF them
felt satisfied. The speakers were men
thoroughly posted in their several depart
ments and the lectures mad been very in
structiVe.
| On motion OF DR.. II. II. Reed a vote of
thanks was voted TO the different speakers
IN the course and those present pledged
| themselves to use their best efforts to
make still greater success of n similar
course of lectures next winter, should an
/ opportunity for such action be given.
President Buckham then declared the
, course closed,