Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-12-16

the two-per-cent land loan schemes, en-
dorsed last year as proposed panacea for
the farmers ills, had been practically
abandoned. Wise counses had prevailed,
and in their place the question was sub
united for consideration whether associa-
tions, like the loan and investment con-
Germs in the towns and cities, could not be
established and made of great benefit in
the farming community. The subordinate
oranges we're urged to discuss carefully
this question the coming year.
Belief was expressed that the new high
way law will prove to be highly beneficial,
with little additional cost to the people.
Alluson was made to the refusal Of the
legislature of 1892 to enact a law to estab-
fish labor bureau, and in this connection
the master said that one of the greatest
drawbacks to our farming interests at the
present time, and one of the reasons why
so many farms are for sale, is because suit
able help cannot be secured to carry them
on. Mention was made of the general
spirit of helpfuness manifested by the
state press, and, in closing, of the work
which the master had been privileged to do
for the order in the state during his six
years of continuous service.
Gov. FuIler's Address.
After music by the orchestra Mr.. Messer
said that he had now attended 20 meetings
of the state grange, and up to this time he
had never seen real live governor pres
ent. The governors had often been invit-
ed, but there was always some reason why
they could not attend He was all the
more glad, therefore, to be able to intro
duce TO the audience Gov. Levi X. Fuller
of Brattleboro. Gov. Fuller, in repond-
ing, assured the audience of the great
pleasure which it gave him to be able to
stand there and give a cordial welcome to
the state grange on the part of the people
of Vermont. Although called away from
home on important business, he had cheer
fully returned when he knew that his pres
ence at this meeting was wished for. In
the substance of his address Gov. Fuller
said, in brief, that the farmers of today
have a task set for them which has not
fallen to their predecessors. 1t Is the
evening Of the 10Th century, and there are
problems to solve that our fathers knew
nothing of. Time was when men farmed
just as their fathers did, but that time has
gone by. Look at the wonderful strides
in dairying within even few years. Ten
years ago $50 pounds of butter was fair
average for a dairy COW. Today that av-
erage has been doubled, and the increase
means a corresponding percentage of prof
il. On one farm in the north part of
Vermont the average has gone as high as
$40 pounds per COW. In the cheese prod
uct the changes have been even more
marked, and scientists have shown us that
all the old theory and teaching were wrong.
The real question today, with the farmer
as with the manufacturer, Is how to re-
duce the cost of pro luction. The general
sum of knowledge has been immeasurably
increased. Agricultural colleges, expert
ment stations, and grange meetings by the
tens of thousands are making the knowl.
edge of one the knowledge of all. The
governor closed by relating, in an eloquent
and &c lie v ay, the story # farm-boy' s
dream, the moral of which was tc Make
the rows shorter and this was to be done
by doubling the production of the rows.
Warm applause greeted the governor as he
closed.
The essay of Mrs. Luna S. Peck OF
Brookfield, on 1.-The labor question as 1t af-
fects the farmers of Vermont" described
in pointed way the difficulties which be-
set our farm life today, both indoor and
out because of the imposslbility of secur-
ing suitable help. The legislature had re-
fused the demand for bureau of labor
the object of which had been simply to
open communication between those who
wanted help and those who wanted work
| The essayist did not attempt to solve the
! problem, but left it for the earnest consid
Grafton Of the grange and of the farmer:
generally.
Prof. Jones ON the Potato Disease.
| 4
| Prof. l.. X. Jones of Burlington was in
troduced to give what proved to be one Of
the most practical, interesting and clean
cut addresses ever heard at a farmers
meeting in Vermont. His subject wa,
plant diseases, but his address was confined
exclusively to the potato blight, TO tn,
study of which he gave the whole of las
summer, in field On the experiment sta
tons grounds. Briefly stated, this field
was divided into sections, on which differ
ent varieties were grown, and experiment.
were made with various fungicides.
large part of the professors work wa
given to an attempt to find some way o
meeting what, for want of a better name
he calls the "new disease of the potato
| vine.
Across one end of the field early pota
lOtS were DldHltu. llt ItuldlllNtI VI III
field was devoted to medium and late vari
cites. Without attempting to follow tn,
professors remarks in detail it may be sal,
he found that it was only the early pota
toes that were affected by the new disease
the medium and late varieties escaping sc
rious effects from it. As yet no sure rem
edy for the new disease has been discover
ed and the speaker said it was settled il
| mind that II liza ~ ra ic
early potatoes. 1t might be different il
other sections, but he submitted the ques
ton for the consideration of the farmers
The true blight or rust was first discover
ed on the 10th of August. Experiment
were made with various fungicides and tn
results were shown in very striking an
interesting way by stereoptcon picture
made from Photographic plates, and throw
upon screen.
These varied all the way from pOtat
hills with withered, leafiess stocks, wher
no remedy had been tried, to hills with fC
liage in full leaf and perfection, where tn
Bordeaux mixture had been used. Til
mixture was the most effective, althoug
other fungicides proved useful in a create
or less degree. The closing views shove
general views of the field, from the leahes
. rows where no spraying had been dor
to the rows in full leaf which had bee
carefully treated. Fhe yield varied frol
90 bushels to the acre on the former SCI
ton to 300 bushels on the latter. "DoC
spraying pay?" the professor pointed
asked as he took his seat after giving the.
facts. q
OF this address it should be said that
furnishes a good illustration of the wol
7 -
ton is doing, and that this work must be
| very great ADVANTAGE to farmers who "a