Year: 1874

There is great deal said and written about
bettering the condition Of the farming COM
muuity, and the market is flooded with enter
prisos that are constantly bidding for the
farmers money ON the plea that such aud
such undertakings have been iuaugurated
with an eye to his good. Very many of
these, such as the invention Of labor-saving
implements, &C., fulfill the object claimed,
while, on the other hand, the farmer is con.
tinually urged to subscribe to the support Of
undertakings that promise little and accom-
plish less.


have in mind at this writing, corpora
tion that has required the expenditure Of
large sums, and has held out large induce.
ment to the farmers Of the state, but the full.
filment Of which has been often questioned.
| have reference to the "Nermont Horse
Stock Farm" 1t may seem presumptuous
for me to question or criticse the manage
ment of this concern, and should not do 50
were it not for the fact that express the
sentiments of hundreds of Vermont farmers,
when l say that this company has largely
failed in comforting the benefits promised
when the stock books were first opened to
the subscriptions Of the public. 1t may be
that its managers have fulfilled their most
sanguine expectations in reference TO i'm
provement in certain directions, but the en-
terprise has fallen fat so far as improve
ment in the direction looked for by the
farmers in general is concerned.


1t is safe to say that if the stock Of this
farm is to be confined to a class of racers,
either as runners or trotters, to the exclusion
Of draft or heavy carriage horses, in just so
far will the managers fail to find at their
annual sales the class of men whom they
claim to be solicitous to benefit, to wit, the
farmers Of the state.


There is no doubt but some excellent stock
can be found on this farm, as good perhaps,
in its line, as the state affords but this
is not the point. What the farming com.
munity want is not a race Of trotteis, but a
class of horses bred to do the heavy as well
as the lighter work Of the farm. That farm.
er is seldom found who finds either time OF
money to use in developing the speed of a
young Waikiki Chief, no matter how long
his legs or how " racy his line Of ascent


The first annual sale at the stock farm did
not fully meet the expectation of its mana .
gers and the reason is just this They did
not offer what the farmers, as class, want.
ed, and Of course they would not buy. Horse,
men, as such, may talk about the glory and
dignity this undertaking is to confer upon
the state by improving its stock; but those
whose business is connected with horses ca,
pable ot hauling heavily loaded wagons and
greensward plows do not feel an equal
amount Of enthusiasm, or, at least, not in the
same direction. They say if you breed for
speed, then you are not gaining what is the
most desirable to us.


Perhaps the stock farm managers do no
care particularly for the purchasing patron
age of farmers. If they do, | venture thC
prediction that it will be Il long time they
will have to wait before they obtain it
There are two features which added to thii
enterprise would call five farmers to an an
nual sale where one would otherwise bt
seen, en,-namely, an Improvement in the clasi
Of work horses, and in dairy stock. Lei
them advertise 10 do this, and Immediately
farmers will manifest more interest.


The dairies Of the state should not bt
made second to anything for Vermont but
ter and cheese is as well known as her horses
and the former have contributed more thar
the latter to the comfort and wealth Of tn,
farmers. Would it not be well for the man
ayers to consider this matter, and see if al
introduction Of these features would not in
crease their own and the general prosperity


If there is anything in these suggestion
worthy of note, should be glad to read tn
published opinions Of farmers in other sec
tions aud inasmuch as the corporation men
toned claims to represent the state, why no
let it hear the criticisms of those whom


wishes to secure as patrons. If it is stoc


farm, then let its improvements embrace tn
class from which the farmers derive thei
main revenue. w. w. HIGBEE.


Charlotte, Sept. Is.