6g ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN's ASSOCIATION'. 



Geo. p. Lord said the French plan was to dig trenches 

 nine feet wide by four deep ; when filled was raised above 

 the level of the ground. Some have said, to dig these 

 trenches would cost more than to build all our railroads — 

 they might be worth more. The country was new yet, and 

 we have much to learn in the line of agriculture. 



Mr. Lord did not advocate this expensive mode ; had 

 had experience in feeding ; in the old way fed corn-stalks 

 whole, now cut all his stalks. They were then out of the 

 way — did not trouble in the manure. 



Wm. Patten thought the present style of plow had 

 much to do with the kind of manures used, 



W. W. Bingham asked if there was not some other 

 articles as good as corn for soiling. 



Wm. Patten wanted to know if we were far enough 

 advanced to engage in this kind of farming. The more he 

 put upon his farm the less per cent, he received from it. In 

 Germany they had no fences. All stock was kept by soil- 

 ing. As to the number of cattle kept on an acre, he could 

 now keep double the number formerly kept, or twenty years 

 ago. Some dairymen had said that one man should be em- 

 ployed on the farm to every fifteen cows ; at present prices 

 the receipts of the dairy would not pay the help. If one 

 man could keep 60 cows on 100 acres, another ought to do 

 the same. And if it can be done, then the most of our 

 farmers are snstaining a great loss, and are far from a per- 

 fect style of farming. He began by sowing rye in fall ; in 

 spring sowed oats — four bushels per acre; then drilled corn, 

 then field corn; also raised beets and turnips and other 

 roots ; also using corn meal. By this plan he could make 



