VERMONT AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 73 



wealth ; but shall be entirely content, in the event that any 

 farmer may perchance glean a single idea that will lighten the 

 burden of farm work, and make the margin of profit a little 

 larger, and the farmer's home the brightest and happiest place 

 on earth. 



PREPARATION OF THE SOIL 



Deep and shallow plowing have their supporters, but in 

 my judgement plowing to the depth of four to six inches 

 is as profitable and as well adapted to Vermont farms and 

 crops as any other. Whatever may be the depth desired do not 

 fail to plow well. Autumn has been found to be the best time 

 to plow, ist because it facilitates the work of the spring, 2nd 

 for the reason that soils thus exposed to the frosts of winter 

 harrow up mellower, pulverize easier, are more free of weed 

 growth and yield better crops. 



WHEN AND HOW MUCH FERTILIZER SHALL BE APPLIED. 



When? As soon as the land is well plowed and so continue 

 until spring — spreading the green,' fresh-made stable manure, 

 well preserved, broadcast upon the flatly turned furrow. The 

 plowing under of heavy crops of green manure is no longer 

 considered the best and most profitable method of farming. 

 Turning large amounts of succulent green forage, proves injuri- 

 ous by causing the soil to burn, or sour, through the formation 

 of organic acids. Moreover, there is much needless waste of 

 valuable forage, which should be used to better advantage by 

 feeding to animals. " The feeding value of any forage crop is 

 greater than its fertilizing value.'" 



What quantites ? L,ike all other matters, circumstnces must 

 be considered, strong, deep, calcareous soils, with a clay subsoil 

 should be manured heavily. Thirty to forty two horse loads to 

 the acre are most profitable because of saving the cost of reseed- 

 ing less often. 



L,and properly cultivated after being thus fertilized will pro- 

 duc from four to six tons of hay annually for a period of four to 

 six years. No small grains should be used, especialty if allowed 

 to ripen its seed, in seeding such rich lands to grass. The loss 

 of both crops is quite sure to follow. A heavy crop of corn, 

 provided it has had thorough cultivation can be grown uponsuch 

 lauds very cheaply and profitably. Prepare the ground in the 

 best manner possible with the spring tooth harrow, or some 

 harrow that lifts the soil. Then apply the smoothing harrow, 

 then if necessary use the roller for crushing dry or wet lumps ; 

 follow again with the lifting harrow, rake it over once more 



