Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-12-06
FARMERS IN SESSION.


ut this place was very interesting. The !
opening address was given by Professor
Cooke, subject, Breeding dairy stock, and
was followed by c. NJ. Winslow of Bran
don in the discussion. Your correspondent
did not arriN o in time for the meeting, but
the subject was one OF great interest to the
farmers in this section, and was listened to
with much interest by those present.
In the afternoon G. j. Bell OF Weldon
was chosen chairman, and gave the al
dress of welcome to the board. Among
many good things he said:
You are among class of farmers, men
who get their living off their farms We
rs q cass do not pin rs much faith TO
Western bonds and mortgages as many do.
We also think our Legislature has given al
together too much scope for sending our
surplus money ont of the state. We should
keep more money at home and invest 1t
here. aud those who do not wish to farm II
can find plenty of undcvelopel granite that
is second to none in tho country.
Hon. William Chaplin OF MidlleseX was
the next speaker. Subject; "FarIns and
farmer, of Ncrmont.' lie told III very
interesting way The story Of the early set
Element of the State Coming down 10 the
present time, he said The fact IS that now
the times are a litulc out OF JOINT Tor the
farmers and the sooner we realize and face
the fact the better. The period OF the civil
war, with its evil of eXtrayagnnt prices and
deprecated currency, OWLS of demoralza-
ton, &C.,, have been poured out on this
ccneration A few Of the grunt weeds that
check the plow Of progress we might name.
\ Goldfish aristocracy, unequal taxation,
unequal and oppressive rates Of transporta
ton. humbug investments and insurance
companies, and many Others that either
block our wheels or are aS a drag be
hind. all largely supported by the farmer.
no wonder that we are obliged to offer
premiums TO foreign immigrants TO settle
here. it is time that we studied up the
cause and remedy for these things. As to
abandoned farms, the 200. 600 acres sand TO
be deserted comprise only four per cent OF
our farm lands. Much of this land Is high,
rocky and unfit FOR modern machinery and
ought to be abandoned and left 10 grow 10
timber. Some may he reclaimed but let
us first try to do it with oar own inhabit-
ants Although the sweeds, Danes, Ger
mans and many other that we have not got
already mako good citizens. Our cultivated
farms are growing moro productive. We
are well up with the other States of the
[ Mon in the production OF farm stock &c
cordiug to our population, and in the yield
of grain per acre we are far ahead OF the
average.
irof. Cook asked, what is the cause of the
present hard times and what will be the
remedy:
Mr. Hovey answered: Double taxation
Ia, much to do with it. He never was in
favor OF ii. Property should pay the tax,
the double taxation should he avoided. He
would keep money in the State and try to
avoid n scarcity of money,
Mr.. Chapin spoke of the law that was
intended to benefit widows and orphans by
eAemptiu- $1,000 in savings banks which
was taken advantage OF by the rich and was
really more benefit to them than to the
poor
Prof, Cooke said: bogus butter has
much to do with the present low price of
butter. il cannot be otherwise where so
much is manufactured. | have no personal
knowledge but am told it is used somewhat
IN Vermont 10y some hotels and eating
houses. Our laws are strict enough, but
are useless unless some one entorcea them. i'll
New York the dairy commissioner has al
most driven il out of the state. If Massa-
cAusetts passas some similar law it will
greatly assist in putting it out of the mar
l.et.
/ Mr Davis said: There is an unrest
among farmers that should not exist We
have seen a, hard times as these before. |
bought Tor the market in 1910 good four
year-old oxen for $40 per pair and lost
money on them; also pork for five dollars
/ per hundred. We must practice better
! economy. pull together, emore united, etc.
Mr. Iilder said; The fault is not in our
stars but in ourselves. True, our expenses
are heavy, but We should stop grumbling
and 30 to work
Mr.. Davis SAID: That is just the point,
work more, produce more, have better
/ cows, better sheep better crops.
Mr.. FarWell supposed the low prices were
caused by over production The West
makes ten times ITS much butter as ten years
ago.
The evening session was opened by Rol-
lin c. Smith followed by William Chaplin,
and many of the farmers present took part
in the discussions: the subject being DAIRY
ing"
AT thcuoXt session Mr. Vail tool, up the sub
Ject of onsilagc. He told the history of the
silo. its first use in this country, etc.
The first public exhibition Of ensilage and
lecture ON the same was at a dairyman'
meeting at St. Adams, and nearly every
one was disappointed in the appearance Of
the sliced corn.
My slo Is built III the barn 10 leeI deeI
by llX12. | have used rye, oats peas and
corn. Think oats and peas make the best
of any kind Of ensiiage, though, us whole
corn is the most profitable crop to raise for
that purpose prefer silo built of WOO,
to one Of stone or cement. A sllo should
be built 50 as to make it convenient tol
feeding, as ensilage is very heavy to handle
In growing corn for the silo | formerly usel
the large southern variety but now grow
the Sanford or our common kinds. | wan
it in fit condition for the table before it i
cut, and If ripper would do no harm. | husI
no corn. Think | get better returns FROM
my corn by putting in the silo than by husl
ing and grinding. Where corn is yer,
green il should he wilted before putting int
the silo. | have had very good success Will
putting in frosted corn into TIE silo.
often put rowen on top Of corn ensilag,
without cutting, taking care to have it wei
packed, and only small portion on to-
viii iniure. There have been more silo
built in this State this year than ever be
fore. The experience OF last year wit
frosted corn has proved to the minds O
! ~.