6a 
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 ot 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. 1 he 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 ioo 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 
