The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-01-27
Agricultural Meetings at Waltsfleld.

Although there has been an unusual
amount of sickness the meetings were well
attended, the hall being full at many ses-
sions, and the interest manifested showed
that the farmers of Mad River valley are
alive to their business.
ID. A. Kneeland was chosen chairman.
The address OF welcome was given by Rev.
G. o. Howe in well.chosen remarks. care
OF Pastures and Meadows" was treated by
Mr.. Chaplin. He gave some good hints and
was questioned by many Maple sugar
bounty was explained by Professor Cooke,
which gives much light on the subject. He
said there would be sixty-six inspectors at
principal shipping points, who would weigh
and send samples to the laboratory for test
ing. His paper on butter making called out
much discussion, in which many took part,
and, as this is the main money crop in this
valley, all were much interested.
In the evening paper was read by b. ID.
Bisbee on sugar making, giving his views
in this business. " Improvement of Stock I"
by Mr.. Spear. He compared stock of fifty
years ago with stock OF present day, and
said: Breed for purpose-if for butter,
breed butter cows, and so on in all lines.
In his closing remarks he spoke of Vermont
sugar business being represented at the
Worlds Fair, and that such a show would
help the farmers sell their sugar. Mr..
Smith spoke of commercial fertilizers. He
said the farmers Of Vermont cultivated too
much land. Nature strives to cover up,
and so weeds aud bushes grow where grass
is killed out. Turn off poor land and Guilt
vate best acres. One acre ought TO keep a
cow. The possibilities Of Vermont are not
known. Let your stakes be to see what
you will raise. Save all fertilizers on
farms. and then perhaps supplement with
phosphate. 9. e. Jones used large amount
OF phosphate on potatoes and had lots OF
"rot" asked whether large amounts of phos-
phate were likely to cause rot. Mr.. Smith
(member Of board) thought rapid growth
might cause rot. Mr.. Kneeland related his
experience of scrapping up two inches OF
soil where a manure pile had been moved,
and nothing grew on the place, and thought
fertilizer did not 90 down far. Mr.. San
ford gave talk on feeding cows in winter.
He said: Know your cows and feed accord
ingly. He is feeding twelve pounds early
cut hay, thirty pounds corn (eusilage) with
grain ration. Mr.. Smith of the board
thought that value OF hay rather than its
bulk should be considered, and would cut
early and not get it wet if could possibly
help it.
On Friday morning d. A. Kneeland read
an excellent paper on grass crops. " Fine
wool sheep" by Mr.. Spear. He is breeding
larger breeds of merino sheep; does not adj
wise farmers to go into it, but he is making
it profitable. g. e Jones said the variety
he bred gave his lambs average sale of 81
per head and wool about 50 from one sheep.
O. q. Wilder breeds coarser wool and the
results are about the same. They all would
not recommend change to keep sheep,
but would keep few instead of eularging
dairy. G. e. Jones spoke next of care OF
cows. Grass is the best feed, and there
must be supplementary food for grass.
His idea is grass first, then corn, when land
must be plowed. Feed from silo is cheaper
and brings in better results; has winter
dairy and gets highest creamery quotations
for IA 80 h,,tt li 10 ha haf
OF July, and feeds this hay and one bushel
ensiage quits into silo ears and all to
getheT) aud four quarts cotton seed meal
and bran per day. His cows will do as well
on this feed AS in June on grass; does not
warm water, but thoughtit would be better
Stables cows all the time, as his stable does
not freeze. Mr.. Kueeland inquired how to
ventilate his stable. This called out Mr..
Sanford, who spoke at some length on thia
subject. He uses plaster for deodorizer
Mr.. Jones makes little more than two
hundred pounds butter per COW, and doubts
| If large amounts pay. Il. w. Bisbee
thought sunshine and exercise necessary
for cows, and that we stable too much. AT
| ter this Mr.. Smith gave talk on corn. He
argued thorough cultivation and would put
it into silo; would manure land for corn IN
fall and pillow in spring; urged level cult
Walton; puts corn into silo whole. Why
ensilage3 Cows like it, is succulent and a
change. Mr.. Sanford's talk on fertility was
good, and he urged better cultivation and
saving OF all fertilizers on the farm; farm
ing must be carried on upon business princi
| pies.
At the closing session on Friday evening
Mr.. Spear spoke on Vermont az farming
state, Mr.. Smith on Vermont AZ manu-
featuring state, and Mr. Chaplin on Vermont
AZ a desirable habitation. Each gentleman
| showed there was no better place than IL
old Vermont, and from the frequent APP
plause we conclude the audience thought
30 also. AS a whole, the meetings were in
teresting instructive and well attended, ant
we hope to again welcome the board Il
| Waitsfield at no distant day.