The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-02-27
COUNTY FARM AGENT
Work Done by Mr.. Sherman During
the Past Year.

Chief among these has been the Wis
iting OF farmers on their farms for
the purpose OF giving them first hand
information which would enable
them to carry on more profitable
farming. Altogether over 800 farm
ers have been visited on their farms,
not once only but often many times.
This phase Of the work has involved
the giving Of advice on such matters
as the Improvement of soils and main
tenance of fertility by drainage, lin
ing, tillage, fertilizers. green manur-
ing and cover crops; in the case of
field crops advice on cultural meth
DDS practiced in growing corn, oats,
hay. potatoes, buckwheat and the
like
Some farmers have been advised
particularly concerning the growing
of orchard fruits, and in many in
stances the agent has pruned and
sprayed with the farmer Many farm
ers have been advised concerning
the different kinds of livestock in
such matters as feeding, breeding
and care, and in some cases, di3eas-
es.. Advice has also been given on
farm management problems, ac-
counts. rotations. seasonal distribu-
ton OF labor. and kindred matters
which influence directly the farmers
labor income. TO cover the entire
range OF this particular work cannot
be done within the limits OF this re.
port. Let it be understood. however
that there are few questions concern
ing agriculture which have not been
asked the county agen--
Another limo OF work undertaken
by the county agent is the demonstra
ton Of better methods OF growing
crops This year corn was taken as
a demonstration crop and during tine
pas seagon IS farmers have each
grown m acre OF corn following dir.
ecticns furnished by the county
agent; The essential difference
from the usual methods was mere
careful preparation Of the soil, test.
ing the seed before planting. using
400 pounds OF fertilizer to the acre
instead Of 900 and less barnyard ma
nure as consequence. and better
care in handling crop during the
growing season.
Where directions were carefully
carried out considerable increase
in yield was secured, more than en-
ough to Offset increased cost OF pro-
duotiCn. One demonstration in Ben
nington raised 100 bushels of sheled
corn tby weight on an acre. Sew.
eral demonstrators reported their
crops as the hes. ever grown by them
and in many instances here was an in
creased yield of 25 10 SO per cent on
demonstration acres.
During the GUNNER several farmers
in different parts OF the county be-
came Interested In The growing Of al
falfa. As a result the county agent
was consulted and he co-operated
with them in growing ahalf to an
acre, apiece. furnishing directions for
growing, seed, and cultures for moe
culation, Jus what win be the han
vest is difficult to say. fer the first
winter usually retards the alfalfa's
ambition to grow unless conditions
are very favorable. Good drainage,
thorough lining, and unusual care in
soil preparation and seeding are nee.
essary for success with alfalfa. Fer
the present, at least, the County
Agent does not encourage extensive
alfalfa seeding, for the simple reason
that We have more profitable crops z;
hand.
One Of the fundamen al requisites
Of successful farming is a good soil
Early in the spring the county agent
saw many indications of soil acidity
about the country. 4 considerable
amount of time has been spent in
testing soils 20 determine whether
they were acid or not. In all over
200 samples have been taken and test
ed By means OF litmus paper. There
were very few instances where the
7NAA was iONAtb hhtA1t VI not AttNlAb
lime Early in the fall 30 samples of
soil were analyzed hy the Sta.e Elk
pertinent Station to determine the
number OF pounds of burnt lime re-
quired per acre. Tho returns indicat-
ed that the lime requirements varied
from 100 pounds (where lime had re.
Gently been applied) to 5000 pounds
re- aero. Maximum crops cannot be
secured until lime has been supplied
to the soil.
In this very connection the cues
ton arises. where can farmers obtain
line for soil improvement at rea.
sonable cost. Much time has been
taken by the county agent 10 find
satisfactory solution to this question.
and II is now simply the matter Of
one or two weeks before an announce
ment will be made on this particular
matter. Lime freely used is worth
100000 annually to Bennington coun
ty farmers.
There are two remaining lines Of
work undertaken by the county agent
which are OF sufficient Importance 70
consider in this small space. One
which has already been dwelt upon.
namely. the Organization Of Town
ship farmers association. whose
work is cooperative buying and sell