Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-02-15

tally as follows: Immediately after the
treaty Of 1888 our country began to de-
sire more territory. Uncle Sam wanted
a bigger farm so when, in 1903, Napo-
leon, driven to straits by his war schemes,
offered us the region between the Msss-
sippi and the Rocky Mountains for Sl5,-
100000, we naturally accepted. Florida
was bought of Spain in 1919, Texas sto-
len from Mexico in 1915, Oregon and
Washington Territory acquired by dis
covery, and Alaska by purchase of Rus
STA in 1867. Excluding Alaska, not ara
BILE, the area of our country is 100000
square miles. This would seem land
enough, yet some want Cuba and Others
would annex Canada. But, although the
courtship of Brother Jonathan and Miss
Canada began in 1777, yet she has never
improved a leap yeai nor has he ever pro-
posed. Then consider what would be
the age and temper of Jonathan's moth
er-in-law. Canadian names and free
fish would ruin us. North America is
often called the moist continent, yet good
authorities state that twO-fifths of our
country has not sufficient rain. Twelve
inches more water would increase our ar
able lands bv 100,000,000 acres. How can
this be brought about? By irrigation.
Already it has been grand success in
California. Lands formerly worth only
Sl25 an acre now sell for $3.50 an acre.
OF course individuals cannot irrigate to
any great extent. 1t is the province of
the general government to make the sur
veys and determine the amount of water
needed. The State or Territorial govern
ments can then make the necessary APP
preparations for perfecting the business.
In this way it is possible to increase the
value of our real estate by $4,000, 100000.
Another advantage of irrigation is that
western farming will be affected by no
changeable rain fall, but will be reduced
to an exact science. Then will the older
East learn from the younger West. The
lecture was illustrated by a map showing
chronologically the growth of the coun-
try and the arid and arabic belts, and was
listened to with great interest through
out.
The next speaker, Mr.. NJ. w, Davis, of
Westminster, of the board, discussed
the economical feeding of stock. He said
we lost the science of economy years
ago and became eXtravagant. Economy
and economy only will remove the mort
gages-and there are lots of them. Econ
omy in raising stock-and that is our
busness-requires three things: adapta-
ton to the business, ability to select good
stock and judicious feeding. Manufac-
turers are compelled to buy the best ma
chnery if they would increase their prof
its. Farmers must exercise this skill in
buying their machines, that is, theil
cows. Farmers should try to grow, not
buy, those grains that are properly com
pounded by nature, and cattle should be
fed with reference to the fertility of the
soil. Brads and nails are cheaper thar
hay, and stock should be kept warm and
fed regularly. As Mr.. Davis had tC
reach the night train, his remarks are GU
short, but were interesting and practical
\ brief discussion followed the address
Mr.. r. l.. Hemenway of Bridport wanted
to know how to select cows and tell how
much they will produce. Mr.. Davis sale
a good COW usually weighs about thou
sand pounds. has clean-cut head, a large
udder with teats far apart, and milk veins
reaching well toward forward legs. IL
test production. churn the cream of eacl
COW separately.
Mr.. VIM. Chaplin Of MiddleseX want
ed to impress on the farmers the impOr
lance of electing competent school super
visors. A unanimous vote of thanks
was then given the members of the State
hos nd. -hA had n-ci- tnl t;,.r