1850. 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
115 
racter of the soils in different sections of the State 
would be carefully analyzed, and farmers instructed 
as to the most successful and proper plan of increas¬ 
ing and preserving their fertility. 
The best breeds of domestic animals would be here 
collected, and specimens distributed through the 
state, to improve the stock in the hands of farmers. 
Nor are these direct advantages, great as they un¬ 
deniably are, at all to be compared to those flowing 
from the general diffusion of a better system of ag¬ 
riculture. When we reflect that 100 young men, 
thoroughly instructed in scientific farming, are an¬ 
nually qualified for their business in this institution, 
it may well be deemed the normal school of farm¬ 
ers. In their several districts they will excite a spi¬ 
rit of emulation, both by precept and example. 
Farmers will feel that their noble pursuit, justly 
deemed the mother of arts, is honored by public at¬ 
tention, and become the care of the government: 
that in this Republic, as well as in ancient Greece 
and China, it is not beneath the dignity of those in 
authority, to encourage and honor a pursuit that is 
the chief intermediate agent between man and the 
bounty of his Creator. 
To carry out the views of the Commissioners, the 
undersigned would recommend that a law be enacted 
authorising the establishment of An Agricultural 
College connected with an Experimental Farm, ma¬ 
king the necessary appropriations for the object, and 
directing that eight commissioners, one from each 
judicial district, be appointed by the Governor, to 
locate such institution with authority to purchase 
the farm, and proceed forthwith to erect the neces¬ 
sary edifices, fixtures and appurtenances; to supply 
the same with suitable farm implements, farm stock 
and teams; to procure suitable animals of all kinds 
for breeding the most improved farm stock; to pro¬ 
cure the apparatus for a chemical laboratory, and a 
philosophical apparatus; to purchase a suitable li¬ 
brary, not to exceed $5,000 in cost; to purchase 
and procure whatever may be necessary to put such 
institution in complete operation, and to select and 
appoint suitable persons to fill the several professor¬ 
ships and stations connected with the institution. 
The commissioners should have power to select 
three of their number to proceed to the erection of 
all such buildings and edifices, and fixtures and ap¬ 
purtenances; and the procuring of such implements, 
farm stock and teams, (as may be necessary ;) to se¬ 
lect and procure suitable animals for breeding farm 
stock; to procure such chemical and philosophical 
apparatus, library, and other things as may be ne¬ 
cessary for said institution ; and for this service they 
should receive a compensation of $ per day, while 
actually employed. 
Premium Crops---Bennington Co., Vt* 
Eds. Cultivator —Above twenty years ago, an 
agricultural society was formed in this county; but 
it did not continue long. Another was established 
three years ago. Our fair last September was well 
attended. The show of cattle, horses and sheep, 
was large, and would have been creditable to larger 
counties. On the second day, an excellent address 
was delivered by Judge Ball, of Hoosick Falls, N. 
Y. The committees bn crops, lately met to award 
premiums. I send you herewith the substance of 
their reports. John S. Pettibone. Manchester , 
Vt., Jan. 19, 1850. 
Indian Corn —four acres—to Joseph Parker, of 
Rupert, the first premium. The product was 427 
bushels and 47 quarts. The land had been down to 
meadow four years. The land was plowed deep, 
and 20 loads green manure per acre turned under. 
It was plastered three times, and about 12 bushels 
of ashes applied to the piece. 
The 2d premium on four acres was awarded to 
Lemuel Bottom, of Shaftsbury, average 68 bushels 
per acre. Land sandy loam. The three years pre¬ 
vious, down to meadow—30 loads coarse manure 
per acre, spread on before plowing; plowed the 1st 
of May-—then harrowed and marked out both ways, 
3 feet 1 inch apart; manured in the hill, 10 loads 
per acre; planted 15th May; seed rolled in plaster; 
hoed 3 times; cut up about the 20th of September. 
Whole expense for four acres, $26.75. 
Best one acre of corn—the first premium was 
awarded to W. R. Dean, of Manchester, 111 bush¬ 
els 27 quarts per acre. Land, loam; plowed and 
rolled on the 9th September. In the spring, 55 
loads of coarse manure were carried on ; then plowed, 
then spread on 10 loads fine manure and harrowed; 
planted 18th May, 3 feet 3 inches apart each way; 
seed, long 8 rowed corn. It was plastered soon af 
ter it came up, using half a bushel of plaster; hoed 
twice, plastered second time hoeing with % bushel. 
The land had been down to meadow ten or twelve 
years. 
The second premium to D. Spenser, of Shaftsbu¬ 
ry, 108 bushels; land had been down to meadow se¬ 
veral years; manure spread on before plowing, and 
ten loads sheep manure after plowing; planted 3 
feet 4 inches each way. 
Third premium on one acre, to Robert Ames, 
Manchester, 106 bush, per acre ; land gravelly loam; 
30 loads coarse manure spread on the acre and plowed 
in; harrowed, then spread on 12 loads fine manure; 
planted 3 feet 3 inches apart each way. 
F. Canfield, of Arlington, presented one acre; 
land gravelly loam; crop much injured by the drouth ; 
gave 85 bushels per acre; the samples from this 
field were the best presented, being very hard and 
dry. 
Best half acre of corn, to George M. Vaughan, 
of Arlington, 57 bushels 17 quarts. The land on 
which this corn was raised had been, till about 1814, 
a pond of water. The outlet was at the southend. 
A sand ridge 50 or 60 feet above the water at the 
north end of the pond, was tunnelled by S. Deming, 
Esq., of Arlington, and the water drawn off" to the 
north. Nearly 30 acres of land was thus reclaimed. 
The descent from the tunnel was 8 or 10 feet lower 
than the pond, and the whole embankment was car¬ 
ried away, so that the stage road now passes 
through this gulf. The land was put down to mea¬ 
dow, notwithstanding there was a descent of 8 or 
10 feet to draw off the water; and a channel 3 or 4 
feet deep through the meadow, was cut by the cur¬ 
rent. Yet the land was sowed, and produced coarse 
grass. Mr. Yaughan has cut several ditches on the 
margin and through the meadow, or 3 feet deep.. 
Between these drains, the corn was grown. The 
advantage of draining was clearly demonstrated. 
The corn produced was a new kind, produced by a 
cross of the 8 rowed yellow corn, with the white 8 
rowed and red blaze variety. These kinds were three 
years ago, planted side by side, and the seed select¬ 
ed which was most equally mixed, and planted the 
next year by itself, apart from any other corn ; and 
from seed selected from this crop, the corn of last 
year was grown. The sample presented was a 
beautiful 8 rowed yellow corn, each ear being mark¬ 
ed on the top with the red blaze. The ear is long, 
with a small cob. We were informed by Mr. Vau¬ 
ghan, that the top of the stalk or tassel, was of the 
red blaze mark. Mr. Vaughan is an enterprising 
young farmer, who by his industry and good jud.g> 
