smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

In reading your borrowed article from the
Boston Cultirator on cranberry culture, l
was forcibly impressed with the Importance
Of having cranberry patch so situated that
il can be flooded in very short time. Now
if you have large stream this can be done
without being so very particular about the
grade. In fact if the swamp is descending
aud very springy anything like dead level
is perfectly impracticable. Still in such
cases the land must be thoroughly drained
If there is plenty fall tilng is the true plan,
as open bitches will gil up with vines snd
are hard to keep clean, but can be done BY
perseverance,. 4t r


1t is perfectly practicable to food plat
Of ten acres in one or two hours with quite
small stream especially on Long Island, as
our swamps are quite level, and one inch OF
water all over the vines is as good TO pre-
vent frost or 10 kill the worms as Eve feet.
The fall of our stFeam is about one inch to
the rod by making low dams with the turf
taken off the top four rods apart, and by
making each plat nearly level and by keep
ing tho water raised to the surface Of the
ground, which is in fact where it should be
Kept as long as there is any danger. Il is
very evident that one board in each hume
three inches wide will cover the vines in a
very short time, and the actual expense of
improving plat in this way is much less
than by the old method. A. j. HINDs.


PatchoQue, L. |.
Year: 1875

A wrong impression exists in the minds of
many in regard to the attitude Of the grange
toward middlemen, which ought to be COR
rected. The grange is not opposed to all
middemen, but only to the useless ones. 1t
recognizes, in its own economy and opera
tions, the necessity of class to buy and sell !,
but it belieyes this class is too numerous,
that goods aud produce are handled too fre-
quently, and that producer and consumer
are thereby placed too far apart. 1t is
working to dispense with all who are not
actually needed in this interchange of COM
modities--that is all. Who can say this is
wrong2 Is it necessary to handle goods
five times, when twice will do, TO accommo-
date the three middemen who are an injury
to the country instead Of a beRe6t2 Dis
pense with the three extra men, aud three
commissions are saved, and three more men
turned into producers, adding something to
the industry Of the country instead Of spec
ulating upon it. Eastern manufacturers
come out here and buy their wool direct
from the producers, and no fault is found
with them but when farmers combine to
buy direct from the manufacturers the tune
is changed, aud even the manufacturers
themselves, many Of them, will not sell to
them. 1t is a poor rule that won't work
both ways. Give the farmers the same
rights and privileges accorded to other class
es, aud when they abuse them it will be
time enough to find fault.-G, Eely in Ohio
Farmer.
Year: 1875

An enthusiastic agricultural writer argues
that there is no other plant Of 80 much value
to farmers as this. alt furnishes tho most
perfect protection to the soil during the fierce
dry heats Of summer. Being constantly
decduous plant, its leaves are perpetually
falling, and soon form a delicate covering for
shade, and easily penetrated at all points by
the air, which is the greatest carrier to the
worn out soil Of those atmospheric elements
that are to enrich it. In this way the clover
plant not only contributes directly to the
fertiizing of the soil by giving its own SUBJ
stance to il, but it furnishes protective
covering to the entire ground, which encour-
ages and stimulates those chemical processes
by which the hungry and exhausted soil is
recuperated from the vast supplies Of nutri-
ment that are held in the atmosphere. 1t
becomes to the farmer the most valuable
fertilizer in the world AS it imparts fertil-
lty to the entire soil"
Year: 1875

And even with the present state Of this
interest, there is scarcely any other--not
even mining interest, which can make an
equal showing, or present stronger claims
upon the consideration and confidence OF the
public. But tho Importance Of this interest
is not to be estimated by the value Of the
wool clip alone. A skilful breeder can SO
rule out defects and propagate exsellences,
as occasionally to produce a breeding eve or
buck Of such superior traits aud qualities
as to challenge and receive the admiration
and praise Of everybody, and command a
price indicated by one or more thousands Of
dollars Proof-The last number Of the
New York Independent says: "a pure
bred merino ram was lately sold in Austria
liza for S3.525!


Another argument in favor Of the sheep
interest is found in the generally ackpOwl-
edged fact that sheep surpass all other
domestic animals in sustaining the fertility
Of the farm The mode or style in which
they distribute their excretions so equally
aud thoroughly, is unequaled by all other
domestcs. An experienced western farmer
says "My reasons for preferring sheep are
these because Of the rapidty with which
they restore the fertility to an impoverished
soil" 1t has been aptly said that "their
tracks were golden" Mr.. Yost, successful
farmer in Michigan, recently said: 81
would as soon think of farming without
horses, as without Sheep" claiming he
could raise more grain from four hundred
acre farm with 400 or 500 sheep upon it
than he could without them, besides selling
from his flock from 81 800 to $4,000 worth
Of wool and mutton annually. This source
Of gain is a matter Of national advantage


Not 60 be UndcrvaIued.


Another additional reason for the increase
OF wool growing in the United States, is
that it helps sustain the large manufacturing
interests, which could not survive a year
without it. This business cuts no inconsd.
cradle figure in the list of our industries
The cheapening of clothing, which it secures,
is blessing which is shared by all classes
of society, even by those who are apparent y
Indifferent to the increase of wool growing
and sheep breeding among us.


Farmers of Vermont, especially Of Addi.
son county, we entreat you by all that is
noble and praiseworthy, to resolve individu-
ally and collectively, that you will never
allow our state and county to lose their
prestige for fine sheep. Nay, by all means
resolve to increase it till they stand un.
PARALLEL in glorious reputation throughout
thu world. 1t will pay to do it. Let it be
done. For every fact, argument and stats-
tical record feeliugly exhorts you to engage
with renewed zeal in this noble pursuit.


MiddieJury May, 1875.
Year: 1875

In spring, or about the time apple trees
come into blossom, there are various kinds of
insects which make their appearance in the
orchard. The canker worm, tent worm and
codhng moth are well.known destructive
pests Some of these can be readily destroyed
by hand and an orchard quickly cleaned,
while others are more formidable, requiring
constant and persistent vigilance to keep
them in check. Those named infest the
leaves or fruit, but another class attack the
wood and are generally known as borers.
The two most destructive Of the apple tree
borers are the larvae of two distinct species
of beetles. The female of one deposits her
eggs mainly on the stems near the ground
while the others drop them in the cracks Of
the rough bark on both stem and larger
branches. Whitewashing the trees or coat
ing with soap will not only destroy the eggs
but the newy-hatched grubs. As these
beetles appear quite early In the season, it is
best to apply preventives about the same
timo-say as soon as the trees bloom, and
again month or two later. ln addition to
applying something to prevent the depositing
Of eggs, it is well to examine the trees fire.
quently and dig out and destroy any borers
which may have found lodgment in the
bark or wood.--A. S. Euller an Rural Ne,0
Yorker.
Year: 1875

have used plaster for ten years on my
place, and have received most benefit from
it on grass lands and on corn. From pretty
close observation, | have found its effect
most obvious in wet seasons, and have re-
peatedly observed no benefit in a dry sea-
son. am no chemist, but only reader Of
what chemists tell. No ammonia being
present in the ordinary atmosphere, but in-
asmuch as it has been detected in rain
water, my theory is, that rain water coming
in contact with the sulphate of lime, or
plaster, two new combinations are formed.
Tho carbonate Of ammonia--a volatile salt
is decomposed. The sulphate Of ammonia, a
nonvolatile salt and valuable fertilizer, is
formed on the one hand and on the other
carbonate Of lime, also desirable in many
soils. think secure the benefit of plas.
ter, if its action is as described, by sowing it
in the fall, during winter, or very early in
the spring. The rains and snow necessary
for its active benefit are thus secured while
if sown, as many of my neghbors do, late in
the spring, the money which it costs is, in
my opinion, very often thrown away, if a
dry season occurs. One bushel and half
to the acre is the proper quantity-no more,
no less.-Cor. Practical Fa, nier.
Year: 1875




A correspondent of the Ohio Farmer
says:


That roots are of some value for feed
ing to cows which are giving milk, no reason-
able doubt can be entertained. They sharp
en- the appetite, improve the digestion, pro-
mote the health, and enhance the general
appearance. They also increase the quantity
of milk, ,and, if properly fed, improve the quail
ity of the butter. But while these things are
admitted, there is still in the mind of all many
intelligent farmers, doubt as to whether
they can be pro6tably grown, for to produce
them requires a great deal Of labor, and con-
sequently involves considerable expense. A
warm place must be provided for storage,
and during the short cold days of winter, it
is no small amount of work to cut them and
carry them to the COWS.


My own experience leads me to think that
it is more profitable to grow corn for general
feeding purposes than roots, but that it pays
to grow small quantity Of carrots or beets
in order to furnish an occasional change Of
feed and keep the cows in good health and
condition during the winter.
Year: 1875

The association of Ayrshire breeders is to
issue herd book, which it is intended shall
be 6nal authority in all questions of pedi-
gree for the United States aud Canadas.
Those who are members Of the association
can have their cattle recorded by the pay
ment Of one dollar. Mr.. VIM. Birnie, Of
Springfield, Mass, is president Of the assOCi-
alton. Now we beg to suggest to all associ-
ations Of Ayrshire breeders and Jersey
breeders that the multiplication of herd
books will be found delusion and snare.
The breeders of both these breeds of cattle
have shown wonderful want of unity Of
purpose and concert Of action in the matter
of registering pedigrees. 1t costs but little
more to edit and publish herd book for all
the animals Of breed in the country than
for those of a state or clique Of breeders
The extra expense Of local herd books is its
lightest evil. The pedigrees Of all the ami
mails in the country Of breed should be
collected into single series Of volumes, and
then all breeders can and will be likely to
have them, and each one can make any ex-
animation desired.
Year: 1875

DEAR FARMER.-I have been interested,
since writing you, by your weekly visits al
ways finding your pages laden with things Of
interest and instructiveness. We have had
nice weather here, and | believe farmers
have nearly il not quite finished their springs
work; you know there always are some who
will be behind anyway Ia good deal like the
Irishman 10 battle, always the first one be-
hind). In order to obtain success in farm
ing you must drop everything else and man
age the farm farm Of 300 acres needs
ones whole attention not only to work, but
when he has leisure day he should improve
it in gaining information about agriculture
aud resting the body, so when the busy
season arrives he is fully prepared both in
mind and body to push everything to the
best advantage 1t is an old saying and
true one, that you can crowd your work or
your work will crowd you. Now do not
believe that for the right kind of person
for farmer he needs to be a great stout
man, all body aud no head but he wants
to be man we'll provided with both, at least
a plenty of the last it is fact that some
men seem to work hard all Of the time and
have no spare time and yet but just keep
along, while others are always ahead with
their work and have great many leisure
days. The question arises, what shall we do
on the rainy days. can answer, they are
Just as useful as the fair ones. There always
is repairing to be done on harnesses, wagons,
sleds, &C., that should be done at such times,
and late in the season We should see that our
buildings are in good repair for winter ;
have one or two good agricultural papers and
read them. Read what others have done and
are doing. In the winter time it pays we'll TO
wash up the wagons. Purchase about $500
worth OF paint for each wagon aud paint them
yourself, thereby saving six or seven dollars
that you would have to pay the painter, and
in the summer take you sleds into the shop,
repair them up and paint them. by doing this
at such times you see you are always ready
and supplied with good tools to attend to
business.


This spring with one pair Of horses, one
man and boy, have put in ten acres oil
oats, 4 acres Of wheat, acre OF potatoes
4 of an acre Of corn, acres Of beans, be-
sides fixing fence, picking up roots, digging
ditch, drawing manure, &c. Our corn II
now ready for the hoe, aud by the time 1t Is
hoed, the potatoes and beans will be ready
do not tell this for the sake Of boasting
but from the fact that have worked every
thing to the best advantage. Now is the
time to look up the tools for haying, have
them all in order for business. Look ovel
the meadows and see what pieces Of gras
should be cut FIRST have classed grass ii
three kinds, and as they ought to be cut
Clover while in the blow, first white daisy
and timothy, second; wild grass, third.
ii. s. l..


EaOsJurgh, June 7, 1875.
Year: 1875

We are glad to hear of the success of the
Vermont Farm Machine Company in intro
ducing the Granite State Rake, advertised in
this paper. This rake has been in use on
our farm one season and we can recommend
it to the readers Of the FARMER as a first rate
sulky rake. 1t is very thoroughly built and
performs its work in a very satisfactory
manner. 1t is the best for raking after the
cart of any VIC have ever used or tried
doing the work of half dozen boys, or men.
The Granite State is also very easy to oPe-
rate, as we know by continued use with our
own hands. (The company do not claim
that it can be operated by nursing infant.)
We are informed that radical improvements
have been made in the rake as offered this
season.
Year: 1875




1t would be rather cheerful news, if we
only had it to give, that the crops Of the
West are being injured or threatened only
by the grasshoppers. But this cannot be
said. The universal chinch bug has COM
menced his depredations on very extended
territory. Unless checked by timely rains,
the damage by this insect will surpass by
millions that done by the locusts. But we
hear of copious rains in large number of
localities, aud therefore look for information
that wholesale destruction has been going on
amongst them. Then in the far west we al
ready hear oS the appearance of the potato
bug But somehow this former pest seems
to have lost caste for the past year or two.
He has lost his power to alarm the western
farmer, though it must be said that he has
not ceased to add to the farmers labor in
growing crop Of potatoes. Paris green
has discouraged the striped potato bug.
Down IN Southern Illinois, the army worm,
sometimes direiul pest, has made its ap-
pearance As our worthy state entomologist
lives down in that latitude, he can earn a st.
Patrck's farm by banishing the troublesome
fellows from the borders Of Egypt.-Prairie
Farmer.
Year: 1875

Mr. Jeremiah Abbott, of Springfield,
formerly owned flock of about 200 grade
merinO sheep which was said to be the most
profitable flock in the town. They were
large heavy sheep and bore great Aeeces of
wool free from oil and yOlk. They were
hardy, always in good order without high
keeping; and his fat wethers sold for high
prices.


In an evil day he bought buck that had
a very heavy fleece made up largely of yOlk,
a skin full of wrinkles, and small size COM
pared to his own flock, for four hundred dol
lars, expecting great results. He said to
the editor of the FARMER, III stuck to that
little buck until ruined my sheep; now l
have got flock Of little, greasy, tender
sheep" ....
Year: 1875

G. +. Newton, farmer of experience,
says in the Ohio Agricultural Report:


"Land once set in clover, the crop may
be perpetuated in the following manner,
without further sowing of seed (: The year
before the land is plowed, the clover should
come into blossom before it is pastured, and
the pasturiug should be light, invariably
turning off the stock by the middle of July.
The clover is then to be left to grow up as if
for seed, and to fall upon the ground, where
it is to lie all winter. Iu the spring the
clover is turned under and the land planted
in corn. In the fall the corn is cat up and
the clover sod brought to the surface with u
two-horse plow, aud wheat is sown. By this
method the seed which is in the old sod, and
thus brought to the surface, will be sufficient
to seed the land. After the wheat is har-
vested no stock is allowed in the field except
hogs, and thoy no longer than to CLEAN up
the wheat heads from among the stubbles.
Should the clover be very strong and rank,
calves or lambs may be turned on for few
weeks in the fall. The next summer the
land must rest 10 clover as above stated, and
be plowed under in the following spring. In
this way the writer has kept la1d in clover
over fifteen years, without any further SOW
ing of seed keeping the land in good condi-
tion, and always growing remunerative crops.
When it is desired to save seed, the land
should remain in clover two years before
blowing, the 6rst year taking off a crop Of
hay and seed, and the second years crop
plowed under"
Year: 1875

Charles II. Miller, chief of the bureau Of
horticulture Of the centennial exposition, an
nounees that the commission is making am
pie provision for all who wish to avail them
selves of the opportunity offered for repre-
sentation of the progress made by hOrticul-
ture. The department will comprehend the
products, appliances, and the arts and sci
ence Of horticulture


1t is the intention of the commission TO
make it as complete as possible, hence every
effort should be made in order to give just
evidence of the increased taste, and the
progress in horticulture.


The exhibition will open the 10th Of May,
Year: 1875

In regard to pasturiug stock, large share
of farmers have but little thought only to
get them from the barn all kinds turned
into the same pasture, which is great mis-.
take. Where person keeps a mixed stock,
cows should not be kept in a pasture with
sheep, the sheep will do well but cows very
poorly. Sheep aud horses are very close feed
ers and should be kept in separate pastures.


EXCELSIOR.
Year: 1875

The Michigan oranges are using their in.
Huence to have the state provide series Of
uniform books for the public schools. If our
Michigan friends desire to know how that
thing works, they can procure valuable in
formation from Vermont.
Year: 1875

During the dry season of late sum.
mcr every country resident should Sc.
cure several barrels of road dust. Itis
worth many times its cost as an absor-
beat. Those who keep poultry NAV
secure by its use a valuable fertilizer.
nearly as strong as guano, with none
OF its disagrccable odor. Place an inch
or two of road dust in the bottom of II
barrel, then, as the poultry house is
regularly. cleaned, deposit layer an
inch thick of the cleanings, and so on
alternately, layers of each until the
Darrell is full. The thinner each layer
is, the more perfect will be the inter
mixture of the ingredients. If the
soil of which the road dust is made is
"t"yey, The loySIs OF UaIh nIoy bu of
equal thickness; if sandy, the dust
should be at least twice as thick as the
layer of dropping. Old barrels of any
kind may be used for this purpose; but
il. previously soaked with crude pc.
troleun or coated with gas tar, they
will last many years. Ii the contents
are pounded on floor into fine pow
der before applying, the fertilizer may
be SoWn from a drill. Road dust is one
OF the most perfect deodorizers of
vaults-conycrting their contents also
into rich manure. Place q barrel or
box of it in the closet, with a small
dipper, and throw down pint into
the vault each time it is occupied, and
there will be no offensive odor what
ever, This is simpler, cheaper and
better than a water closet, and never
freezes or gets out of order Mixing
the road dust with an equal bulk of
coal ashes Is an improvement, making
the fertilizer more friable.
Year: 1875

From the testimony of Miss Peers,
IN the Westcrvelt case, it seems likely
lhul another of the naonstara instr,I


mental in the abduction of Charlie
Ross is in fair way OF being brought
to justice, less swift and tragical,
though we hope not less certain and
adequate, than that which befell his
confederates on the fatal night at Bay
Ridge. II the present appearances Of
his guilt be confirmed We can have no
doubt that his punishment will be
prompt and unsparing. Miss Peers
testitics that on the 9th of July, 1874,
two days after the abduction of the
youth from his Philadelphia home, she
saw the prisoner, Westervclt, in a
Brooklyn city car; that she sat oppo-
site TO him and fully identifies him,
and that he was then accompanied by
n boy bearing strong resemblance to
the photographs Of young Charles
which were exhibited to her. Taken
in connection with his known and con.
stant intimacy with Mosher and Doug
lass at this time, his knowledge before
hard of the premeditated crime, and
his subsequent COO .jeIation with them
in plans fconcealment, it seems as if
the law had finally laid tshand on one
of the instruments of that atrocious
crime. AS the trial proceeds, and moth
ing is discovered rs to the whereabouts
of the child, it seems to grow more
than ever doubtful whether it will ever
be restored to its parents, though the
hope of such results not yetcntirely
extinguished. In any case, all parent.
will have rcasonfo breathe more freely
when the surviving confederate of this
remarkable and remorseless crime Is
safely behind the bars.- World.
Year: 1875

Sometimes people write a postal
card full, and then turn over and finish
what they have to say upon tho face.
They ought to know that i'll such cases
tho party to whom the card is addressed
has to pay six cents postage. Cheaper
to use u thrce,cent stamp in the first
place.
Year: 1875

BONE tELoN The London Lancet
very high authority gives tho follow
ing remedy for the cure of this very
painful malady: AS soon as the pull
sation which indicates tho disease is
felt, put directly over the spot fly
blister about the size of your thumb
nail and let it remain for six hours at
the expiration of which time, directly
under the surface of the blister may be
seen the felon, which can be easily
takon out with the point of n needle or
lancet"
Year: 1875

THE revenue officials have abandoned
tho idcn of placing revenue stamp no
every cigar, and smokers can still inhale
tho drcamful vapor without tho dis
comfort of the burnt paper tnste.