Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-03-03
MISCELLA Y.
SW ITZ ERLAND.

Excerpts from Domestic Residence in Switzerland. late
work by Elizabeth Strut, author of Six Weeks the
Loire"
"The first place we arrived at from Rossiniere
was Chateau dock, from the terrace of which
may I've seen, as we were iniormed-tor we did
not stay TO count them-Oeiween three und four
thousand chalcts aud houses scattered on the ac-
civi'es aud in the surrounding valleys, from the
banks OF the Sartlne 10 the foot OF the rocks which
form the SUBMITS of the Alps This may seem
an incredible number; but il must be recolecled
that the Gessenin and the whole of The Simmer
thai is one vast dairy land aud all its inhabitants
shepherds; even the richest among them often
driving their own herds, aud milking them with
their own hnnds. Every herd changes its pasture
from stage to stage, up the mountains and down
again, at least three times in regular course during
the summer and conseqenlly cbaIets and shelter
for the cattle are wanted at each resting place.
Sometimes the materials, being only trunks OF pine,
are taken down and removed from one place 10
another but this is very and only among the
poor. The wealth OF Il proprietor consists IN the
number of his chalets and oranges, rs well rs Of
his cows andt is by no means uncommon for
one TO possess from six or eight 10 ten or twenty
Of these buildings, apparently so rudely put to-
geiher, and yet capable of resisting the elements
for centuries. The middle Of the summer is no,
the time these lovely scenes 10 The most adj
vantage, as the cattle are then on the very sum
mits OF the mountains, and the hameis arc com.
paravely mute hut in The spring aud autumn
the lower valleys IRE filed Nth herds whose bells,
their incessnnt jingle soltened by distance, make
no unpleasant accompaniment 10 the shrili, clear
voices OF the attendants, whose rdnz des paches
may be heard farther than the eye can discern
whence il proceeds. When the cattle go first oul
in the spring they are always headed by the COW
who has been queen of the nerd the year before
and who graced with finer collar and larger bel
than the RESI-, proudly stalks along the paths Of
which she seems 10 retain perfect remembrance
arrived at their place of destination, she either
maintains relinquishes her sovereignty, accor.
ding TO the result OF battle she invites for the
purpose of ascertalning il. The same ccremon,
takes place with any stranger COW who may ion
The herd at a later period and the advantage
once acknowledged is never afterwards disputed
throughout the season. herd generally consists
OF two or three hundred cows, who, of their owl
accord, divide into smaller parties, from ten Il
twenty, which keep together each under lcade
of their own, but slill submitted, when they ineel
10 The general leader. On the eighth day after III
cattle are gone out, while they are yet in the frs
stage of their migration, each COW is MIXED b.
lis respective owner, and The produce separa e
weighed: this operation is repeated on the l5
or 10Th Of August, and according 10 the uverag
quantity produced on those days. the share O
prohI in the general produce is determined lti
calculated tina. each COW gives hundred weigh
OF cheese during the summer months, al the rat
---ol- Three plnis oi milk 10 pound. In England
good COW on average land, is calculated 10 Civ
Two hundred pounds OF cheese in the year. I"
So completely pastoral is this district, lha, there
not plough 10 he found IN IT, and all the corn
produces would not supply the inhabitants with
single weeks consumption Their gardens IA
orchards are left To wild yet will they gathe
with their own hands, every blade OF grass TN
grows IN The hedges or other places, that cann'
be got al with u scyihe.