The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-02-21
VERMONTS PROGRAM
OF FARM PRODUCTION
State Should Raise More Wheat and
Should Maintain the Dairy Industry
More Pork Is Greatly
Needed.

The following definite program in rela
, ton TO food production in Vermont wa
adopted at the conference held at tn
State House in Montpelier this week:
Our country is engaged in grea
world war. The very principles upol
which our government is founded are a
stake. Food is one of the vital fact or
in the winning of this war and our coun
try's need demands that every Vernon
farm be worked this spring in such /
way that the greatest possible amount
of food be produced. This year contro
of land is a sacred trust which should b,
used so that il will contribute to Tho
winning of the war.
Grow on your farm the things Will
which you have had best success and fol-
which you have the necessary machinery
equipment. Remember our work, how.
ever hard, and our sacrifices, however
great, cannot equal the hardships and
sacrifices of our boys who are fighting
| for us.
More Wheat Needed.
An ample supply of wheat is neces-
of the winter wheat crop promises little
prospect of relief from the present wheat
shortage, unless the acreage of spring
wheat is greatly increased. 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 a
crop of corn can be grown. Seed should
be sown in a well prepared seed bed at
the rate of one and one half to two
bushels per acre. Early sowing is impor-
tant.
On poor land, light application of
manure is desirable, but excessive ap-
plcations should be avoided An appli-
cation Of 400 pounds 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
mainstay of Vermont agriculture and
from it we have obtained 20 per cent of
our agricultural income Milk, cheese
and butter are cheaper animal foods than
meat and are necessities in the diet of a
people in time of war, as well as in time
of peace, if physical vigor is not dimin-
ished Therefore, our livestock industry
should be maintained However, low
our diaries, 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 cheaper ration for our
dairy cows. The same grain which we
purchased in 1909 at cost of 81 800, 900 |
co 600 Til,
represents too large proportion of our |
dairy income and the tonnage represent |
ed places too great a burden upon our
system.
Every farmer should plan for an acre
age of corn large enough to fill sufficient
silo capacity so that every COW may
nave abundant supply of good ensilage.
This corn should be of variety which
will mature in this climate and the seed
should be planted so that every stalk
will produce good ear. Well cared
orn silage will provide the foundation
or a cheap dairy ration. Soy beans
'lanted with the corn will improve the
eeding value of the siage.
Seed corn is very scarce. If your needs
re not already supplied, try to find a
upply in your neighborhood, or through
our county agent, or write to extension
ervice, University of Vermont, Burling-
on. Avoid late maturing southern va
ieties, which are not adapted to our eli
fatic conditions. Test all seed for ger
linstion.
Fertilize corn with stable manure and
18th 400 pounds of acid phosphate. This
ill supplement the manure and will
asten maturity of the crop.
Plan in seeding this spring for an
bundant supply of clover hay in the fu-
IRE.
Yields of beans secured last year on
lany farms, in spite of unfavorabIe
Gather, suggest that it is wise policy
, increase our acreage of this crop.
Our potato acreage should at least be
Maintained at last years size. This is
\ expensive crop to grow and land for
should be carefully selected. Study
Tery detail of potato culture and omit
} link in the chain of operations which
e necessary to grow the crop and pro-
ct it from its enemies. Plan especially
spray with Bordeaux mixture to avoid
repetition of last years losses from
light.
II you still have thin meadows on your
rm which do not promise a good crop
is or barley if you have time to pre-
re the land and get them in. Treat
is for smut and be sure that seed ger
mates. Eighty-six per cent of our til
BILE land is in hay. We should increase
ops above mentioned at the expense of
If hay acreage.
More Pork Is Greatly Needed.
More pork is greatly needed because
gives storable animal fat in the most
form. Under present con
ions. it would be doubtful economy
transport grain from the West to pro-
lie the entire ration for raising hogs in
rmont However, hogs enough should
kept to use all farm wastes. In dairy
.tions where cream is sold. skim milk
nbined with purchased or home raised
lin. will provide an economical ration
pig feeding.
Poultry will consume wastes about the
ice not used by other animals and our
eks should be increa sed.
sheep breeders may well plan To save
III own lambs and increase their focks
,ause more wool and mutton are need.
IN order to carry out the above pro-
i'm. our farmers need more capital,