The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-03-14
WARTIME ADVICE
Citizens OF Vermont Shown What is
Needed To Carry on War and What
Can be Done al Home Towards IL.

y
the representatives of all the Farm
ers Organizations and State Agricul
tural Agencies, in this state, problem
pertaining to the production Of foo
were discussed and the recommcnda
tions offered by the various represen
tatives were embodied into the follow
ing definite program for Vermont
Our country is engaged in a grea
world war. The very principles upor
which our government is founded ar,
at stake, Food is one Of the vita
factors in the winning Of this war anc
our contry's need demands that every
Vermont farm be worked this spring
in such way that the greatest pos
sible amount Of food be produced. This
year control Of land is a sacred trust
which should be used so that it will
contribute to the winning of the war
Grow on your farm the things with
which you have had best success and
for which you have the necessary ma
chinery equipment. Remember our
work however hard and our sacrifices
however great cannot equal the hard
ships and sacrifices of our boys who
are fighting for us.
More Wheat Needed
An ample supply of wheat is a ne
cessity in war The Government fore
cast of the winter wheat crop promis-
es little prospect of relief from the
present wheat shortage, unless the
acreage of spring wheat is greatly in
creased. Vermont should grow her
share of this necessary spring wheat
acreage.
Spring wheat will do well in almost
any part of the State on land where
crop of corn can be grown. Seed
should be sown in well prepared seed
bed at the rate of y to bushels per
acre. Early sowing is important.
On poor land, light application of
manure is desirable, but excessive APP
plications should be avoided. An APP
plication of 400 lbs. of acid phosphate
per acre, sown broadcast, will make
the crop larger and more certain.
Maintain the Dairy Industry
The dairy industry has long been the
main stay of Vermont agriculture and
from it we have obtained 70 per cent
of our agricultural income. Milk,
cheese and butter are cheaper animal
foods than meat and are necessities
in the diet of the people in time of
was, as well as in time Of peace, if ply
sical vigor is not diminished. There
foro, our livestock industry should
be maintained. However, low produc
ing cows should be culled from our
dairies, because food and labor are too
valuable to be expended on poor cows.
Calves from our best producing cows |
should be saved but the raising Of
scrubs is too costly in time of war
We need to plan wisely in order that
we may provide a cheaper ration for
our dairy cows. The same grain which
we purchased in 1909 at cost of ST.,
10000 would cost $9,000,000 now. This
sum represents too large a proportion
of our dairy income and the tonnage
placed too great a burden
lpon our transportation system.
Every farmer should plan for an
acreage of corn large enough to fill
sufficient silo capacity so that every
.ow may have abundant supply Of
good ensilage. This corn should be
If a variety which will mature in this
climate and the seed should be planted
SO that every stalk will produce good
ear. Well cared corn silage will pro-
vide the foundation for cheap dairy
'ation. Soy beans planted with the
.orn will improve the feeding value Of
he silage.
Seed corn is very scarce. If your
needs are not already supplied, try to
ind supply in your neighborhood, or
through your county agent, or write
o the Extension Service, University
If Vermont, Burlington. Avoid late
Southern varieties, which
ire not adapted to our climatic condi-
ions. Test all seed for termination.
Fertilize corn with stable manure
md with 400 lbs Of acid phosphate.
This will supplement the manure and
will hasten maturity Of the crop.
Plan in seeding this Spring for an
.bundant supply Of clover hay in the
uture.
Yields Of beans secured last year on
many farms, in spite Of unfavorable
Weather, suggests that it is wise pol
cy to increase our acreage Of this
rop.
Our potato acreage should at least
,e maintained at last years size. This
S an expensive crop TO grow and land
or ii should be carefully selected.
,tudy every detail Of potato culture