The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-01-17

by our department of agriculture in
1872, more than three-quarters were
thrown away by the recipients, because
they knew nothing of their value, or
how to make use of them.
THE London Standard is quoted as
saying: GA statement has just been
issued by the board of agriculture, esti-
mating the produce of wheat, barley and
oats in Great Britain for the year 1893.
1t affords no ray of hope for the year.
The yield of barley in England was
10000, 900 bushels less than in 1892 ,,of
oats 100000 less, though the area
cultivated for both grains excels that of
the previous year. The acreage of
Great Britain under wheat decreased by
800 900 acres and the yield was 9,000,0 900
bushels under that of 1892. Rents
within recent years have fallen fifty
per cent, yet they must fall twenty-five
more if farming is to be made to pay"
Other recent information indicates that
the tenant farmers are everywhere dis
satisfied; aud though as a class, the
English farmers are far from being dis
posed to political radicalism, it is plain
that great reduction in rents will be
necessary,-with consequent impover-
ishment of the landed aristocracy. This
condition of things is apparent all over
Europe. 1t is curious that Americans
should thus, without purpose, be un-
dermining the aristocratic institutions
of the old world. Though American
farming is, at its best, poorer and more
ineffective than that of Europe, yet the
necessity of paying rent to the land
lords is really making the technical
superiority of European farmers of no
effect. There is no doubt that Amer
lean farmers are improving in their art;
and more capital is being put into the
business, along with more knowledge.
1t is quite likely that there will soon be
large immigration Of skilled farmers
into this country from England and
Scotland. The most noticeable effect
of that will be to improve our farming,
and in this way make American COM
petition still more severe in European
markets. What can hinder the natural
effect of this upon the rent rolls of land
lords, all over Europe? Will it not
soon republicanize a great part of that
continent? 1t is only upon the surplus
wealth of any nation that an aristocracy
can be upheld and supported; and even
then it must be buttressed by unequal
laws, which cannot long exist among
an educated people. Popular educa-
ton looks directly towards popular en-
reimbursement; and an enfranchised
agriculture cannot and will not long
support an idle class from its gains.
Another half century will see Europe
republican or Cossack," as Napoleon
prophesied. 1t will probably be both
for while, and then will come the
deathstruggle between the two which
will wipe out the Cossack. AS to
crowded Asia, who can even guess
what will happen there? Perhaps,
first devouring famines; and then COM
plete reorganization, upon the lines of
modern civilization. The coming CEN
fury is sure to be lively era in human
affairs. Everywhere mankind seems to
be getting itself "good and ready" for
a fresh start. There are exciting times
ahead, but we old fellows will not be in
it.
HERE are some horse facts, from
Rural Life, which are worth the atten-
ton of every farmer: 1t is a singular
fact that the more a horse is hurt by
the pressure of any part of its tacklng,
the greater will be the resistance to it.
A horse with sore mouth will pull
harder on the bit than one with a sound
mouth. A young horse tied with
broad leather strap about the neck so
that it can cause no pain will seldom
pull second time, but if tied with a
chain that cuts the neck it will not in
frequently pull until it kills itself. A
horse will stand in the stall and batter
its legs all to pieces by kicking, and,
the more it hurts, the worse the kick
ing. If horse takes to kicking in the
shafts and cuts its legs at each kick with
the splinters or iron of the carriage, it
will kick as long as there is a splinter
left 1t will not, however, kick long at
a bundle of straw swinging behind it.