The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-08-05

lecting Editor Whitaker as assistant
secretary of the State Board of Agri-
culture, for he is live man, good
man and an able man. But, all the
same, we think editors would do better
to let office-holding alone. There may
rise occasions when it would be the
duty of the Ne,0 England Farmer to
criticise the action of the Massachu-
setts Board of Agriculture, in the in
terest of its readers and the public.
THE Ninth Annual Report of the
New York Experiment Station is re-
ceived by us with thanks to Director
Collier, whom many of our readers
pleasantly remember as the first secre-
tary of our State Board of Agriculture.
As usual, this Report is full of useful
information, such as from time to time
we should be glad to avail ourself of
for the benefit of our readers. We feel
sorry, however, to get so valuable
report in paper covers. Such books
are of little value to the possessor.
When DIR. Sturtevant was Director of
the New York Station, he made it
point to send bound volumes of his Re-
port to the press for notice. We think
it was wise plan, as in order to be
used such books should be disable with
out too much trouble. In fact, the
thoughtful Doctor sent both, so that
one might be cut and the other pre-
served.
IT seems, from the HomeStead'S re-
port, that Yale College stole a march
on the Connecticut farmers who
wanted to have the new Morrill, appro-
priation for the Land Grant Colleges
given TO the Storrs School, or divided;
and has, by the aid of Governor
Buckley, got the whole of the first in
stallment for the Sheffield school.
The Homestead claims to be the watch
dog for the farmers of that section; but
if so, it has been swapping at flies when
it ought to have kept its eye peeled for
larger game.
OUR genial friend, Editor Gibbs of
the st. Adams Messenger, has been
reading this department through
thick-bottomed timber-at least, we
can not otherwise account for his stat
ing that in the matter of the sugar
bounty we are " savagely pitching into
it, and condemning the whole proceed
ing" Five dollars reward, Esq.
Gibbs, for proof of your allegation
He also chides us for using the modest
editorial "we," rather than the egotis-
tic "I." That is because we are not
so proud as some folks. By the way,
Brother Towle, how did you ever man
age to get your chiefs permission to
say "we," in your excellent depart
ment of the Messenger
THE season is at hand when good
drainage and cleanliness about the farm
buildings will count. Besides fever
germs, stagnant water contains ferment
germs of various sorts; and these often
infest milk 80 that sound cheese can
not be made from it, nor can cream be
properly separated-or when separated
be satisfactorily churned They are
among the causes of frothing in the
churn.
HAYING-TIME in the hills; yes, and
some not yet (July 30) done in the low
lands. 1t is always better to begin hay
ing too soon than too late. The loss is
less. AT any rate, we should strive to
cut all our grass before the seed has
got more than half its growth-that is,
before it will shell when dry.
SHEEP need attention at this season.
The gadhy is abroad, but full protection
is given by clear pine tar, warmed a
little so as to be fluid, and well daubed
on and over the nose. Some salt their
sheep by putting the salt in two-inch
auger-holes, and daubing the tar around
the holes, so that the sheep will tar
their own noses. This is lazy mans
invention, but better than some such.
HAY and grain caps are the means of
saving much money, and cotton to make
them of never was cheaper than now.
The use of them has been counseled
for many years, yet they have not be-
come common yet. These and root
growing, and the use of the smoothing
harrow, both for seed-covering and for
wedding, are good things that American
farmers fail to appreciate at their true
worth.
EVERY year the farmers are warned
not to let any weeds go to seed; but it