114 Thirty-Fifth Annltal Report of the 



We must save all of the fertilizer possible, both liquid and 

 solid. If there is any secret of success in farming I think this 

 is it. We must strive to make our farms produce more. "Make 

 two spears of grass grow where one did," and Ave cannot do this 

 without fertilizer. My experience is that it pays to make and 

 use all of the home made fertilizer that we can before buying 

 chemical. By way of experience I will say that since buying a 

 run out farm and going in debt for it fifteen years ago, I have 

 bought some chemical fertilizers every year, putting it on that 

 part of the farm farthest from the barn, using the barn fertilizer 

 near the barn where the cost of drawing is least. Where 

 fifteen years ago I kept ten head of cattle and three horses, last 

 year I kept twenty-six head of cattle and six horses and sold 

 twenty tons of market hay, and the debt is paid. Pardon this 

 degressioii. 



The next problem for the dairyman to solve is the feed. 

 What kind, how much and when to feed. If we are just starting 

 we must rely on the experience of others. 



A safe rule to follow is to grow all of our feed that we can. 

 I have always made my grain bills balance, that is, I have raised 

 good clean grain and have sold enough for seed to more than 

 pay for what I have bought. I sometimes think that it would 

 be a good thing for Vermont farmers if they could not buy 

 any western grain for a few years. I think that it would make us 

 more independent. Perhaps it is best as it is but are we not 

 paying more money for feed stuffs that we should? The silo is 

 a great help to the dairy man, it keep our com "which is the 

 best crop that a Vermont farmer can raise" in such a shape that 

 the cow gets nearly the full benefit of it. Feed your cow such a 

 ration that she will yield the most profit. I think that each man 

 must settle this in a measure for himself. B,e gentle with your 

 cows and it will pay you in dollars and cents. A cow is very 

 sensitive and responds to harsh treatment just as quickly as she 

 does to good. 



We have some good coavs, a comfortable stable and the 

 right kind of feed. The next question is, what shall we 

 do with our milk. A few years ago we had but one 

 answer — ^keep it at home! Now our state is dotted with 

 creameries and cheese factories. Milk cars stop at our 

 stations and take milk to the city markets. Each man must 

 decide what will pay him best. The practical farmer 

 should market the finished product when he can. I shoiuld 

 advise a young man with a moderate sized dairy to patronize a 

 co-operative creamery or cheese factory, if one is convenient. 

 If he patronizes a creamery separate his milk at home if possible. 



