Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-03-14
DAIRY INDUSTRIES
FUTURE At STAKE
Notwithstanding Shortage Of
Labor, High Feed Costs and
Reduced Profits, Farmers Have
Done Their Part to Increase
Production, Says Speaker.

The final session of the extension service
conference was held at Morrill, hall Satur-
day morning. Z. S. Brigham, State COM
missioner of agriculture, discussed briefly
with the conference the labor plans of his
office for the coming season.
Following Mr.. Brigham, DR.. II. b. Ellen
berger, head of the dairy department of
the university, discussed the present dairy
situation. He pointed out that the dairy
farmers of the country have done their
part in increasing food production. in
-creasing the number Of cows by 100000,
or IL per cent, during the last two years.
according to n late government estimate.
This has been accomplished in spite OF
the shortage of labor, high feed costs, and
reduced profits.
The consumption of milk is decreased
somewhat and the export outlet has been
decreased on account of the lack of freight
space, so apparently there is some sur
plus of milk in sight now On this account
II is important that the public come to
realize the food value of milk and other
dairy products. and to use more Of them
10 as to save other foods.
1t is important also that the price Of
milk be kept on a fair basis to insure a
steady production for If the producer is
discouraged he probably won't raise
heifer calves, which would cause a short
age of milk two or four years from now.
Professor Ellenberger said that the
whole future of the industry seems to be
at stake. The government. the producer,
the distributor and consumer must all CO.
operate If the situation is to be worked
out satisfactorily.
Now is an opportune time to eliminate
1fo1a n Qd VII
: and keeping records of individual cows
and the wedding out of all boarder cows
He also advised the vealing of all scrub
dairy calves but the raising Of all proms-
ing dairy heifers.
He pointed out that the feed question
is big one to Vermont farmers and
advised the feeding of the most economi-
cal balanced ration possible in quantities,
according to the production Of the indi-
vidual COW. He also emphasized that
it is important for farmers to grow as
much feed as possible on their own farms,
especially silage, hay and grain. Profess
sor Ellenberger laid particular emphasis
on the fact that the New England farmer
needs to grow more legumes, especially
clover, and he pointed out that by the use
of clover and alfalfa hay a good deal of
grain could be saved.
DISTRIBUTION OF MILK.
f. C. Fiske spoke on Burlngton's plan
for distributing milk. He outlined the
work which the committee recently APP
pointed by the local Milk Dealers asso-
citation did In the way of forming a CO.
operative milk distributing association
He said that six of the retail dealers
had agreed to go into the corporation
The corporation then formed will take
over the equipment of the local retail
ers. who, in return for the same, will
give them stock in the association. The
plan then is to pay the retailer or pro.
| Queer fiat wholesale price for the milk
Mr.. Fiske closed by giving details t
| be followed out in Incorporating such ar
association. and stated that when thu
association was formed 1t would handle
at least 5000 quarts of milk daily fol
delivery in this city.
The final discussion of the morning wa!
given by Prof. r. T. Burdick of the de
partment of agronomy. Professor Bur
dick discussed wheat growing in Yer
mont. He stated that wheat needs a me
dunn to heavy soil, we'll drained, havini
gooo supply of organic matter ant
should be well lined. The crop will sue
coed best when grown following corn
potatoes, beans. oats or barley. 1t 1
never advisable to plant wheat on so,
land. Fall plowed land is best whel
available.
well prepared seed bed is necessar
for wheat, hence deep spring plowin
should be avoided. In preparation a thor
ough discing and rolling before plantin
should be given. 1t Is seldom advisabl
to roll after planting. An abundance @
phosphoric acid and a fair amount G
nitrogen are necessary Six to eigf
loads of farm manure or 300 to 400 pound
of fertilizer high in phosphoric acid, wi
furnish this. The variety known as MAI
quis is best adapted to Vermont. Oths
good varieties are Fife. Bluestem, We
vet Chaff and Preston.