St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1917-02-07


guano.
100 pounds nitrate soda, $50 pounds
acid phosphate.
250 pounds of acid phosphate,
166 % pounds nitrate soda, S31s
pounds guano.
so pounds nitrate soda, 40 pounds
guano, 22O pounds acid phosphate.
Several of these mixtures were used
on the same demonstrations and
checks left. Also different amounts
were used. The mixtures that gave
the most economical results were
those containing approximately $50
pounds guano, 500 pounds nitrate
soda, and 1850 pounds acid phos-
plate to the ton. The rate of appli-
cation under ordinary conditions that
save the best results was from 500
to 400 pounds per acre. This mixture
cost the farmers delivered $3.50 per
ton and analyZed 81 per cent ammonia
and 1878 per cent phosphoric acid.
There were 60 acres in the eight
demonstrations The average increase
in yield was one ton per acre at the
first cutting. In some cases a second
cutting was secured from the top
dressed fields where there was moth
ing on the check plots. Meetings were
held at seven of these demonstrations
The farmers who met here talked over
the practice, all agreeing that So per
acre profit was a low estimate on the
profit due to increase in the crop.
One farmer made the remark that
such fine crops of hay as he saw on
the demonstration fields gave a man
F., H. ohio
icals Another remarked that it was
a great deal easier to harvest an extra
ton or ton and Il half per acre than
to haul it three or four miles on
cold winters day 1t was impossible
to visit all the co-operators. How
ever, a great many replied to q Cir
cular letter that was sent out, and
tales of fabulous yields from using
chemicals were many.
Chemical Project.
One of the important projects de-
veloped by the association is that of
purchasing chemicals comparatively.
The business part is carriedxon entire
ly through town committeeman and
local secretaries With member of the
executive committee Us chairman Of
the project. Mr.. =. H. Hallett Of st.
Johnsbury acted as chairman this
year.
I have acted in an advisory capac-
ity only. A series of meetings were
held about the county, at which the
method of purchasing comparatively
and the advantages of using chemicals
were discussed For this springs use
$50 members have purchased SIS
cons. The prices at which Caledonia
county farmers are purchasing these
chemicals are so low that the state
purchasing agent, unable to purchase
to as good advantage elsewhere, or
dered 92M tons through your associa-
ton. The number of men purchasing
comparatively shows an increase over
last year, when 27S farmers purchas-
ed 452 tons.
Cow Testing Associations.
We have in this county at the
present time six cow testing associa-
tons, through which records on APP
proXimately 1900 COWS are being
kept These associations are not dl-
rectly under the county agricultural
agent or farmers association. How
ever considerable time has been spent
in reorganizing and working with
these associations.
Few men realize the great value of
these associations to the agriculture
of Caledonia county. Dairying is the
most important farming enterprise.
The Improbable COW has long been
the factor that has made dairying I'M
successful Now i COW may be I'M
profitable for two reasons She may
be just naturally q poor COW; or she
may be Improbable because of i'm
proper care and feeding. In the first
case, there is one remedy; namely,
the butcher. In the second place, she
may be fed differently and changed
into the profitable list.
Through these associations many
farmers have been induced to pur-
chase pure bred bulls and influenced
to get started with pure-bred stock.
There is one thing that [ cannot en-
phasize too strongly. \ long pedigree
attached to an animals name is no
indication that you want that amman
in your herd. The pedigree is merely
an indication of pure blood and nee
essary for registration. However, it
is vastly moro important that the ami
NAL be u good individual and have
ancestors that are high producers.
Boys and Girls Club Work.
Too little work has been done with
the boys and girls. This line of work
is one of the most interesting and
most important Of any. Two days
were spent in the spring OF 1915 With
Miss Newton, assistant III charge OF
the Lyndon Home Project club. Nine
seed testing demonstrations were SlVer
| in nine schools in that town AS 4
/ result of these demonstrations SEED
! was tested by children on So farms
/ and several lots of seed were discov-
cred to have such low per cent germ
ination that the seed was discarded
The farming exhibits were judged
at the school fairs held by Mr.. Bur
I bank in the four towns Of his district
| These fairs were postponed iron
September to November. The ex
hibits were beyond expectation, es
pecially in Peacham and Walden. Tho
| work by Mr. Burbank shows VIVA
faithful work with the boys and-Sirl
will accomplish.
Jersey Club.
Friday January 18th. meeting o
| the Jersey Breeders iii the county Wa!
held. About 35 Jersey enthusiast
we're present and organized a Gale
donia County Jersey club. 1t is hopct
that this club will be of a great dea
of help in boosting the Jersey breed