Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-02-26
Farmers Meeting.

Farmers mtthln9.
The state Board Of Agriculture, in con-
Junction with prominent Barnard farmers,
held a very interesting meeting in the old
Town hall short time ago. Your cor
ra5poudent does not feel worthy Of giving
such a complete account Of this gathering
and its distinguished visitors as the merits
deserve.
Hon. C. J. Bell, the secretary, is like a
good bishop who sends his best preachers
10 the most barren helds tn order 10 awake
enthusiasm. Pomfret doesn't need any
halp. for they know il all now-are over
HoW ing with knowledge TO such an eX-
tent that some runs down into East Barn
ard where, thank Heaven, II has taken
root on not a few Of our best farms. But
Barnard proper, where the principal pro-
auctions are horses, dogs and ice, needs
great stimulus TO induce the farmers TO
raise something more in summer. So we
again thank Mr.. Bell and other members
al the Board for this meeting, predicting
the cost 20 the state viii be money wen
invested and we shall look forward to
good results.
a fine attendance of men and women, 1t
being a new deal for Barnard jerome
I Morgan. ESQ, was scheduled to deliver an
I address OF welcome, but being about two
hours late, n. A. Eastman performed the
Job in his usual pleasant manner, but so
brief that Il was voted too short.
Chairman Bell then gave little history
Of the Boards successful workings and
was followed by Mr.. Eaton OF Royalton in
a very interesting illustrated lecture on
ayermont Birdsh Necks were craned
and ears shaded to catch every word Mr..
Eaton uttered on the topic. II seemed
new to many who have never given much
thought to this great subject, perhaps
thinking crows and henhawks were the
prominent birds in this locality. All were
sorry 70 have the lecture close.
Next came Mr.. George Aitken, mem
Der OF the Board and prime manager OF the
great Billings farm in Woodstock. His
early education and long experience IN
, every department ofagriculture make him
drawing card on this Board. Mr.. Ait
ken's theme was principally raising NUT
ton sheep, and his advice to farmers was
! 10 give more attention to this product as
our hill pastures were so well adapted to
sheep that more profit could be secured IN
this way according to the labor than in
any other direction, provided good breed
Il selected, and we were not surprised at
all when English Southdowns were named
a. the most desirable. He condemned the
theory that many have OF crossing long
legged sheep with a short Merino, as the
product would not be satisfactory IL
brought a prominent breeder TO his feet,
, who acknowledged trying this expert
meut. which resulted in the meanest flock
OF sheep he ever owned and probably the
"a ueaDest in town, nobody disputed. 1t
was gratifying to Mr.. Aitken to know
/. there was one man who found out the
false theory without being told but time
: spent in getting such knowledge was eX-
pensive.
The Board now consulted their watches,
finding il was just time to feed, and
unanimously adjourned to the Silver Lake
b House, where Landlord Holmes took the
e floor, giving good satisfaction.
r Noon trains brought great additions,
D making the afternoon exercises still more
interesting. A young man threshed over
4 for the thousandth time the art OF butter
4 mixing, appearing to know which side
his own bread had the butter on. He was
very intelligent and held the attention oil
! an appreeiative audience Tor nearly an
hour.
Next came an address and discussion on
o grass. This aroused an interest not before
{ shown, and, as Barnard had long since
gone to grass, any instruction that would
4 tend to increase the crop of hay would be
= welcomed by all breeders, especially those
- who are keeping horse diaries. When 8
man mows over 30 acres, getting only five
tons, as was done near this hall last year
and is told by the Board how he can gel
/ five tons from one acre it is cheap infor'
nation, costing only one afternoon e
listen.
Mr.. Bell left on the afternoon train FOL
White River Junction, but DR.. H. ID. Hol'
J. ton, secretary of the State Board OF Health
L was added to the list of speakers and Mr.
n Hitchcock succeeded Mr.. Bell as chair
man.
The evening session opened with full
house, interest increasing. A choice Sc
Z lection OF music was rendered by the Sill
vered quartette, amid laundering ap
l. plause, the chairman saying he thought j
. e., Ff,ttn4xad hy
an addr IS and lecture from DR.. Holton
!. exceedingly instructive, on the preserva
ton OF human health, especially in public
p schools. he was listened to with clos
attention, carrying conviction to manl
b. thoughtful minds. According to the Dr.
theories and earnest recommendation
for changes in present schoolhouses, on
II almost wondered that any school childrel
OF forty years ago lived, but when we re
y member what gigantic strides the medica
profession is now taking to prevent dis
n ease we may almost think that like Mos
n Cheney nobody will die, but dry up am
blow away.
Mr.. Aiken was again recognized by tn
chairman, and after taking the floor pro
= ceeded to give a very comprehensive de
scription uf his travels in Europe. Ii wa
interesting, especially TO some in the hal
who had never been there. One lady sal,
o 10 seemed like going. Mr.. Aitken Is
u favorite with both Board and audienc
: and Is the right man in the right place.
+ The evening being now wen spent
" Chairman Hitchcock proposed to close b
singing America" as quite a numbe
would recognize that tune. 1t was give
zen masse, all standing, with vim tina
made windows rattle in the old hall like
cyclone.
Nothing was said at this meeting sbou
dogs. which must have been an oversight
for Barnard is trying hard to improve it
breed in order to raise the average G
goodness; also is making an effort to in
crease the quantity, 10 females bein
registered the past year, 81 dogs in all, bu
there are two vacancies caused by thei
being near Chet Cady's gun Sheep-kill