Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-09-25
Northern Vermont Farm Notes.

| August was q hot, dry month. This
afforded an excellent opportunity for
harvesting the grain and bringing for
ward the corn crop. The first was
secured in good condition and the last
has grown almost without parallel. The
crop was late in getting started, but the
very favorable August enabled 1t to
grow and develop at an unusual rate.
Hardly, il ever, has there been such a
tall, rank growth of fodder as Is to be
seen at this time where there was
favorable stand to commence with.
The Only drawback will be that on
many of the fields the growth is so thick
and heavy that it cannot ear to the best
advantage. When the crop is cut and
put into stocks, the fields will present .
sight worth looking upon. One effect
of this large growth will be that stock
will not eat the fodder as clean, either
when green or cured, as where the stalks
are smaller. This may necessitate the
cutting of the fodder when dry where
this is practicable. Where farmers have
silos, this difficulty will be obviated, and
the larger the crop the better it will be:
There is perhaps q little more field
corn planted this year than usual and
this is looking we'll, too. II farmer Is
able to grow both field and fodder corn,
il will be of much help to him. Plenty
of fodder is good and bin of the husk-
ed ears is profitable to have for use, saw
ing Just 80 much in the price for pur-
chased feeds, besides being all ready at
hand for use.
Already there is a call for those who
have corn harvesters and itinerate around
among the farmers for their services.
There is much corn to be cut and but
few will engage in this kind Of work;
hence the desire to commence early in
order to get around before the coming
of the frosts.
Potato digging time is also at hand, as
this is now attended to earlier than 1t
used to be. This is better, as after the
crop is ripe and the stalks dead, there is
no benefit in allowing it to remain
longer in the ground; indeed if this were
permitted, there is liability of injury
to quality from rot or the ravages OF
insects and worms. There has been a
large growth of tops this year and in
favorable locations the yield should be
good, better than last year when there
was serious injury from rot and grubs.
On the farm of the writer, two-thirds
of the crop was dug the last day OF Au-
gust and first of September. The yield
was fine and the tubers large, smooth
and clean. There were no signs OF rot
nor the work of insects or worms. THIS
was on land in potatoes last year and
well enriched. The average may not
come up to this, but there have been
many fine fields to be seen this season.
The apple crop will be small. The
continued cool weather early in the sea-
son is probably principal reason for
this. 1t does not look as if there would
be very large amount for sale.
The dry, hot weather of August had a
tendency to reduce both feed and water
in the pastures, and the yield of milk
decreased in proportion. The rain OF
Sept. 3 may start up feed in the pastures
somewhat and help to replenish the sup
ply of water; but it is so late now that
extra feed must be given the COWS to
keep the milk from serious shrinkage.
Indeed, some farmers have for some time
supplemented the scant pastures from
other sources. japanese millet has been
used to some extent for this purpose
and on many farms there is quite
second growth of grass that can be used
along with the soiling corn.
Farmers will find it to their advantage
to keep up the flow of milk to the best
possible tent, as the prices for butter
have been going up the past few weeks
to an unusual extent for this season OF
the year, showing that there is scarcity
of product for the demands of the trade.
Even the surplus in cold storage is be-
ing drawn upon thus early which is not
common.
With such conditions at this time,
there seems to be no real reason why
prices should recede, and the prospect
should be favorable all along through
the fall and winter. Those having win
ter dairies will therefore find it for their
interest to do the best possible for them,
in order to get the greatest product in
return. From the vast amount OF grain
raised in the west in addition to our own
resources, it would naturally appear
that prices of feed stuffs should be
lower than for the last two years, thus
helping farmers in this direction, and
so we will work and watch for the re.
sults.-E. X. Towle in New England
Farmer.