The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-07-27
The Hay Crop.

From all sections of New England |
comes the report of an abundant growth
of grass, which makes great hay crop
an assured fact. Upon many farms
where clover has been unknown for
years, and where it was supposed such
q condition of the soil existed as to
make its growth almost impossible, is
an abundant growth of this valuable
forage plant and very effectually dis
proves the theory that New England
soil has become "clover sick" and
sends the calamity bowler, who has
been for years crying down the re-
sources OF New England farms, to the
foot of the class, where he justly be-
longs. This section of the country ie
still capable of grand results in crop
production when given the requisite
Gus rains of last season and this have,
in measure, takes the place of such
attention. This seasons hay crop is q
substantial argument in favor of New
England farms and their ability to yield
abundant crops.
What shall be done with this inn
mense crop of hay is an important
question. When it has been cured and
stored in the barns and the crop Of
corn now growing has been stored in
the Grip or the silo it will constitute
feeding material far beyond the capac-
ity of the live stock now upon New
England farms. The crop in other
sections of the country does not indi-
cate that the present price of ten dol
lars ton on the farm will be much, if
any, increased. This price can be re-
allied from it fed to cows, sheep or
growing stock, properly selected, and
leave the manure resulting from the
feeding for the care and labor. Not
ton of good hay need be sent to market
at this price, for it can be realized upon
the farm. This is great opportunity
TO increase the farm stock, which has
been terribly reduced, and instead of
selling hay sell the product of the hay
in the form of milk, butter, wool, NUT
ton or beef. If the farms were stocked
to the full feeding capacity of the pres
ent seasons forage crop they would
present something of their old-time
appearance and the sales from the
farm would approximate their old-time
amount. And then if the farmer should
limit his expenses to the amount of
earlier times there would be profit
from the farm. There has not existed
time for twenty years when the in
come from the farm properly stocked
| and properly handled was more prom
Using than at the present time, and if
! the expenses were made proportion
ately low there has not been better
time to make money from the farm.
The present hay crop, which is
double that of some previous years,
makes it possible to carry double the
stock and should be the beginning of
new era in New England farming. 1t
has taken certain amount of fertility
from the soil in growing the crop, and
If sold off the farm makes drain twice
as great as crop of half the size, ex-
cept in the case of clover, when some
thing has been drawn from the air and
subsoil. In making this appeal to New
| England farmers to increase their stock
in proportion to their hay crop we de-
sire to emphasize the importance of
buying only good stock. There is no
profit keeping COWS whose gross income
is but thirty dollars year, for after
paying for the grain, pasturage and la
Dor nothing is left for the hay, and the
more such animals are fed the more
10y 10 tuLOWu away 1dC I'LL OooOu
productiveness of farm amounts to
nothing when fed to such animals.
There is nothing received from feeding
hay to sheep that yield but three or
four pounds of wool and fifty per cent
produce lambs, for the grain, pastur-
age and labor in this case eat up all the
income, and the farmer who tries to
grow beef with animals i'll adapted to
the purpose will find precious little re-
turn from the hay fed. To stock up
with such animals as these would be no
advantage whatever. The increased
hay crop would be wasted. Buy cows,
sheep or young stock adapted to the
purpose; feed and care for them well
and the present abundant hay crop will
increase the farmers income and the
productiveness of his soil and give re-
markable impetus to the already inn
proved conditions of New England ag-
riculture. The present opportunity in
this direction should not be neglected
or ignored.-Mirror and Farmer.