Letters to the Editor

Great story about father and son Douglass
To the editor:
The story about Elliott and Lane Douglass was great and, yes, I believe they can live comfortably by milking only 18 cows because I know someone in Pennsylvania who milks 24, and his animals, fields, and barn are in immaculate condition to boot.
If more dairymen in the U.S. would be content to milk fewer cows, like Lane and Elliott Douglass do, supply and demand would soon take effect, milk surplus problems would disappear, and the per cent of parity just might go back up to 80 per cent, or even 85 per cent by 1985.
The story about the Douglass Farm has some sage advice for young dairymen: Don’t milk too many cows, don’t become “machinery poor” (in some cases it’s better and cheaper to have field work custom done than buy expensive new machinery), try to stay debt free, and at least consider switching to colored breeds to get a higher pri e for your milk, especially if they are going to make a comeback.
Richard Fuller
Newton, NJ

Wants more on sheep feeders
To the editor:
Here is a subject on which you might do an article that would help some sheep farmers and might quell your recent deluge of letters requesting something other than dairy news. Every sheep farmer has considered what is the most effective method to feed his stock. How does one build a hay and grain feeder that is easy to fill (without the shepherd being trampled), Keeps most of the feed in it until eaten, is comfortable to various size sheep, doesn’t supply a nice spot on which to scratch off neck wool, and keeps young sheep out?
We all have our favorite design but I know of no one who does not sometimes suspect that there is a better way. Perhaps one of your writers could collect ideas from New England’s more efficient sheep farms, big and small, and publicize the design of the 1984 feed rack of the year.
Stephen de Bruyn Kops
Thompson, CT

Wants more info on sap
To the editor:
I was very much interested in the article in the November issue of New England Farmer on The Economics of Maple production that told about the two methods of maple sap collection. I would like to see an article on the boiling of the sap. The difference of cost and everything between the using of oil or wood for fuel. If a farmer has his own wood and hires it cut. Of if he cuts it himself. How much wood or oil is used to boil down a certain amount of sap.
I realize times have changed in the last 50 years, but I do think that the majority of people have gotten lazy. And would rather sit on their fanny than work. I think that big business has ruined the whole country. And that the economy of the country was better off when the farms were family owned and run and not by doctors, lawyers, and big businessmen who use it for a rip off on their income tax.
I lived in Bethel, Vermont for almost 10 years in the 1920’s and I think we could go back to an old saying we had at that time. Make do with what you have got or go without! But instead people have to have all of the modern conveniences there is. Regardless of cost so they go in debt.
Enclosed is a check for $7.50 for my renewal for one year. I enjoy the New England Farmer very much and I read it all, Keep up the good work.
Tisdale H. Harlow
South Easton, MA

Goats are better than cows
To the editor:
I am an enthusiastic supporter and reader of your good journal. But, I am dismayed that you have virtually ignored that most wonderful, intelligent and productive farm animal of all–the dairy goat. The grandmother of our young buck is producing 5,000 pounds of milk this lactation, more than half the average Jersey cow, who may weigh ten times as much as a goat and cost ten times as much to feed. Goats are far more versatile and appropriate to small New England farms than just about any other animal and are capable of being quite profitable. You might be surprised at how many New Englanders own dairy goats today–or would like to
The dairy goat deserves regular space in New England Farmer and good coverage certainly would attract ads from growing numbers of us wishing to buy and sell goats, kids, milk, chevon, buck service and semen.
Lydia Ratcliff
Chester, VT

Plank stables — cleaner cows
To the editor:
Your recent discussion of plank stables aroused my interest because I was Connecticut milk inspector from 1938 to 1964. During the later part of that term, I moved to Brattleboro, Vt., and inspected farms in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York supplying the Connecticut market. Including farms in Connecticut and Rhode Island, I have visited well over 1,000 dairy farms.
There were some plank stables in all the states and generally cows were cleaner in the plank than in the cement stables. Furthermore, mastitis was less of a problem. In my opinion, the adoption of the U.S. Public Health Code by Connecticut in 1962 has done little to improve; bulk cooling has done a great deal.
I am especially sorry to note in your first article that out-of-state producers dread Connecticut inspections. It was not always so. I am confident that with very few exceptions, I can count the farmers I have visited as my good friends.
Alfred Staebner
Lebanon, CT

Old barn better
To the editor:
Regarding your discussions of concrete vs. wood floors in dairy barns:
I was recently staying on a farm in Prince Edward Island. The farmer had been a dairyman. Now he raises beef cattle, grain for feed, wheat for his home use, and lobsters in season.
I asked him if he ever had a problem with mastitis. “Oh, yes, in the new barn on the concrete floor,” he said. “Not in the old barn on the wood floor.” His experience seemed to be one of the reasons he got out of the dairy business.
Thought your readers might be interested in this volunteered information.
Hope Thomas
Hillsborough, NH

More on the Douglass Farm
To the editor:
I wish to thank you and Steve Taylor for the fine story on us and our dairy operation (January issue Volume 6 Number 1). We have had many favorable comments about the story, and a large number of requests for help and advice from other small farmers, which of course we’re glad to do.
Once again…
Thank you.
Elliott Douglass
Rutland, Vermont

Salud, pesetas, amor
To the editor:
We are Americans who have made our home in Latin America for seven years. Lately, we are seeing much distorted news about the Americas coming out of the U.S. and would like to set the record straight for New England Farmer readers.
When we first moved to Costa Rica, bag, baggage, grandmother, teenagers and pets, we spoke no Spanish and knew little about the country. But, soon, our rural neighbors accepted us and graciously taught us their language, culture, and how a city-bred family could enjoy ranch life in a foreign land. Truly, our delightful adventures there merit a book, at least!
My husband’s love for the sea (Pearl Harbor survivor, retired Navy), prompted a further move two years ago, to Colombia’s Caribbean coast. We found a lovely, old coconut plantation on the Pan American Highway near Santa Marta, the oldest (457 years), most fascinating city in all of the Americas.
Imagine, green palms waving in gentle ocean breezes, blue sea and sky, pounding surf and golden sand and, towering 19,000 feet over all and snow-capped the year ’round, majestic Mount Columbus. We feel we have much…incomparable beauty, fine neighbors, perfect climate, a stable, democratic government and a satisfyingly-low cost of living.
Like Columbus, we have discovered a new frontier, with a vast potential and, being human, are driven to tell others about our dream-come-true. If you are interested in the future of the Americas…and the Birds… write us by international air mail (35 cents a half-ounce) at P.O. Box 5222, Santa Marta, Colombia. It may take a while, but we promise to answer.
Now, from beautiful Santa Marta, we wish you salud (health), pesetas (wealth), amor (love) and the time to enjoy them all!
Juanita Bird
Santa Marta, Colombia
South America

Now that lambing’s done…
To the editor:
I had planned to respond earlier to John Page’s article in the February issue, however, lambing has kept me away from the typewriter and Laura Lee has said much of what I would have said anyway!
There is one point that he missed and that is the initial investment of a team versus a tractor. For about $4-5,000 I can get a good team and harness, there are few four wheel drive tractors available for that and my team would have eight wheel drive, slip differential and incline control! Also of relevance to those of us who choose horses over tractors is the fact that though I can not grow gasoline I can grow oats, barley and corn. And last but not least, does your tractor give you a baby tractor every year, start easily when it is 25 below and nuzzle you for a good morning? No.
Tractors are for people who want and need them; horses are for people who want and need them and each is suited to a certain situation, both have their places and just because one has chosen the other there is no need to be offensively critical (not to mention uninformed) about the other.
And whilst I have your momentary undivided attention, let me tell you how much I enjoy your publication and for those that don’t remember, let me remind them of how your hard work had made you grow from 8 struggling pages and the doorstep of starvation to the informative, wide-ranging publication that you are now. Thank you!
Kathleen Fellows
Westminister West, Vt.

N.E.F. missed the boat
To the editor:
As a transplanted New Englander, it is with great pleasure that I read N.E.F. and see the effort you are doing to support farmers and farm related industry in the North East. I was very pleased to see the article in the August issue about kefir as an alternate marketing device but I have to tell you that you really missed the boat. For the past two or three years on our trips North we have enjoyed kefir that is produced right in your backyard.
I refer to East Coast Kefir, put out by New England Country Dairy near Greenfield, Mass. Their kefir is every bit as delicious as the article claims for kefir, and we have always been able to find it in several flavors. I realize that East Coast Kefir is relatively new and may not be extensively distributed, but we have never had any trouble finding it after our initial discovery
Perhaps your writer or researcher ought to have visited a health food store before finishing the article. Please do your readers and dairy farmers a favor and tell them that locally produced kefir is available now in New England.
Eddie O’Selwach
Brown Dog Farm
Hightown, Va.

No justice to hog farmers
To the editor:
I have a few suggestions that merit voicing. Your publication has geared itself too much to the dairy industry and not given enough time to other aspects of agriculture. I have seen only one issue in the past year with articles on poultry, one issue on Aroostock County potatoes, and one article on veal. You also have given little space to sheep farmers.
Myself, being a hog farmer, it is discouraging not seeing an article written on the subject. Every month there seems to be a profile about one particular farm, generally a dairy farm, with no justice given to hog farmers.
An article on Massachusetts cranberries would also be interesting. I have renewed my subscription with hopes of seeing some good articles about pigs. Keep up the good work.
Scott Braley
Franklin, Mass.

True love
To the editor:
In a recent conversation with my brother, he remembered a poem, as I did, that years ago our father used to recite to us. Possibly you might be interested in printing it.

He met her in the meadow, when the sun was sinking low.
They walked along together, in the twilight afterglow.
Patiently she waited, while he lowered all the bars.
Her eyes were bent upon him as radiant as the stars.
But she neither smiled nor thanked him, because she knew not how.
For he was but a farmer’s boy and she a Jersey Cow.
Author unknown.

Lloyd W. Prescott
Boston, Mass.