Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1917-10-17
REPORT OF THE COUNTY AGENT
Given at the annual meeting of the
Orleans County Agricultural associa-
ton at Irasburg, Oct. 10, 1917.

Given at the annual, meeting of the
Orleans County Agricultural assocla-
ton at Irasburg, Oct. 10, 1917.
The Orleans County Agricultural
association has again arrived at a
milestone in it's career, the fourth
The county agent could not but feel In
reviewing the report of the former
county agent, Mr.. Deuel., for the year
1915-16 that this year had not
brought forth all the results that
were hoped for but even though a
change of county agents was made
necessary, the association has made
much progress. The last year has
seen changes which have shown more
than ever before the value OF the
work of the association. Each year
finds the farmers of Orleans county
little closer united in organized eff
fort to make the most of farming, or
ganized in an association to better the
interests of agriculture and organized
also in a corporation to buy and sell
farm commodities on the smallest
commission possible and yet consis-
tent with good business principles.
The farmers of this county are COM
ing more and more to recognize the
educational as well as the business
value of the association and to feel
that they have within their own bor-
ders miniature extension service
which IS ready to assist them at any
time with their problems.
A brief review of some OF the more
important phases of the work under
taken in this past year is herewith
given. The work was under the di-
rection of your former county agent,
Mr.. Deuel., until the middle of March
and from that time on under the dl-
rection Of your present county agent.
The work Of the association cannot
be measured in terms Of Office calls,
farm visits or miles travelled. 1t is
interesting, however, to know how
these items total in the course Of a
year. Since the last meeting the
county agent has travelled 1881 miles,
spoken at SO meetings having an ag-
gregate attendance Of 1882 people;
made 404 farm visits, written $50 let
ters, sent out TITO circular letters and
received 1872 Office calls.
The milk situation during the last
two months of 1916 became an ex-
ceedingly acute one and at that time
the N. E. NJ. P. A, an old organiza-
ton, but with comparatively small
membership, began it's campaign for
greatly increased membership so
producers and contractors and stand
ardization of prices might be carried
out. A number of meetings were
held and the farmers were urged to
join in movement which had before
it so great possibilities. At the pres
ent time there are nine locals organ
lied in this county with an aggregate
membership of more than 300 farm
erS.
At the same time that the n. E. NJ
P. A. was making it's big drive for
members, the farmers in the north
ern part of the state formulated the
idea OF building a shipping plant of
their own and in furtherance of this
plan, the Dairy company was incor-
porated, a site for the plant bought
result that nearly $4,000 has already
been subscribed for the erection of a
milk shipping plant. It is expected
that work will be commenced on the
plant this fall, and that by another
spring one locality will have solved
the marketing problem in a satisfac-
tory way as far as dairy products are
concerned. Orleans county needs
more cooperative milk plants and
creameries. Only one truly coopera-
tive plant is at present operating in
the county, namely, the Jersey Star
creamery at Irasburg. This plant, in
spite Of many handicaps, has made
good progress and paid this past year
an average of more than two cents
per pound more than the price paid
by two of the largest contra actors in
this county. This, however, is a pure
ly local problem and other localities !
IN which inadequate prices are paid, |
but having large enough cow popu- |
lation to warrant it, would do we'll to |
similar proposition. /
Demonstration Work The demon
onstration work this year has been
far from satisfactory due to the fact |
that with SO late spring it was i'm
possible for the new county agent to !
make the acquaintance of a large |
enough number of farmers or know |
well enough to warrant any
great number of demonstrations be-
ing placed. Those demonstra tions
that were carried through showed ex-
ceedingly good results.
Alfalfa. Seven new plots of alfal-
"a were put in under the direction of
the county agent this past season and
Indications at the present time point
to largely increased acreage anoth-
ar year. Nearly all of the new plots
are looking exceedingly well at the
present time. The old stands of al
falfa are showing up well and one
farmer who has had stand in for
two years was heard to remark, 81
wish [ had covered my farm with the
stuff. You ought to have seen my
COWS pick up in their milk flow when
[ started in feeding them green-cut
alfalfa" Even though the acreage of
alfalfa IN this county is vet small it !
has great possibilities and every far
mer would do well to start a small
plot on his farm and learn how to
grow it. From all that has been said |.
about alfalfa, one thing has been
brought home to each man
the value Of high-grade roughage !,
whether it be alfalfa or some other
Equine, clover, soy beans, vetch, etc.