Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-02-18

WI AAAN0A 'OhAfy 10 -"
him speak for himsclf-merely rcmarking that
the National Intclligcnccr has frequently pub
lished sketches from his pen, 50 there can be no
question Of their correctness;
GRAND DErouR, Oglc county, Ill,
Sd Jnnuary,is 4s.
You arc In the midst Of good farmers, and per-
haps may know one who may be disposed to seek
a sure reward in a competence in dis West. IT he
would come, and practice the virtues that are SO
pre- eminent with the New England farmers, and
that make certain their prosperity-to a right good
practical farmer, who possesses the requisite Judg-
ment, industry, temperance, and lore Of rural pursuits,
and would carp on my place as il deserves to be-
to such l would give such terms, that in seven years
he may accumulate enough to own a good large
farm near my own, II he liked the neighborhood. ]
need not add, that TO ensure this result he must be
frugal, yet he may live right well. Should you know
such, or would take the trouble to inquire for one,
/ shall deem it a favor II You would state to him. or
them, the foregoing. II he has three or four sous TO
aid him on the farm, all the better. You will please
state that the party should be abore the generality Of
farmers in point Of agricultural knowledge, so ms 10
embrace much Of modern Improvements, rotations,
&c. &C, and have good tact to lead to best economy
the laborcrs that would be rcquisitei also, knowl-
edge Of stock, and best modes Of caring for the va
rious animals, as feeding, breeding, selecting, value,
&c. Yes, for such a man, or two-for two would
not be more than enough to cNry on my farm of
over 1000 acrcs, with stock, SC. in proportion-l
have abundance of implements, tools, machines
mills, &ci many driven by horse power, as corn
crusher, shelter, straw cutter, Touring mill ION a
small scalel, all in my noble Barn. with basement.
Then | want n ~firstrate gard, -ncr, especially for
Horticulture, as my orchard is laid out for over 100
acres. To such I would be equally liberal in pro-
portion as with a farmer, and the gardener would
be independent in his own branch, under my sug.
gestions as to the progress Of the orchard, &c. II
YOU know such, do hint the above. Onc with the
virtues alluded to, may here become independent in
seven years, and have his orn place ready to go on
to. III help him and the farmers to such. Prices
Of fruit here are thrice those in New York. For
example, apples sell readily in susoa, At 81, pears
$3.50, peaches 81 so, and so on, per bus bel; and are
not likely to 90 lower for ten OF twelve years, the
culture is so neglected by settlers.
Some Of your sheep farmers could no, but do wen
here. My flock is in perfect condition, thriving as
well as any ! have ever seen in Spain, France, Eng
land, or the United Siaies-and they remnneate
iosR! But to ensure nSf, sheep must be raised
here, or acclimated generally. There have been
exceptions, though rare, where those newly driven
from distant places, have consiiiutionally, or other
wise, proved in accord with our dry climate and our
feed. Yet many, many who have driven in focks
from eastward Of US, say from Ohio, New York and
Vermont, have been sadly disappointed by the NOR.
tally, poor condition, barcnness Of The ewes, and
small clips, the ensuing year. So most Of them,
instead Of doing rs did myself, gave up in despair.
sold out, and many cleared outi In my ~noyiciate
in these pastoral matters, l suffered largely. My
sheep were just driven from New York, Ohio, &c.
say in 1881, and suffered as above; but / could
not, rroudd not doubt that these high rolling prairies
with their fresh hrcezes in summer, dry antumns,
winters and springs THAT is, compared with the
Eastern or Middle Siatesl were c~ongenial TO sheep
farming, covered as they, the pmines, are, with a
rich, nice-hayored, nutritious native grass. Well,
AFTER the second year, l began to feel sure 1 ihould
be rewarded at last and now all goes on admirably,
in breeding, condition, fleece, every thing.
This is a wonderful country, for the fssg ,erofe and
frugal in husbandry, mechanic arts, sc, to make
progress and secure competence. But nd for the
reverse-say %loafers, the extrayagant, idle or even
hdlf industrious. All is new here, and TO keep up
with the march, all must push on-on-on. The
time is not far of when they shall be rewarded, by
the wonderfully favorable effect which begun and
projected improvements in Canals and Railroads
are 10 have upon the developing interests of this
rich region Well then for those who have taken
time by the forelock," in the way Of having large
fields in culture, superior stocks Of animals, &c.
Thousands Of the right SOFT may improve their
finances and condition here; but to do this, they
must labor without fail for a few years, say seven
to ten, and then leave it to the younger branches,
and retire at case. l write no more than | fcrcsee
and believe. Here, a farm costs only one-sixth to
one-tenth Of one in Vermont; the same number Of
acres will yield double, and without manure for five
years can be worked with one.third less labor, aud
the land is readyfoE the plough. Stock may be
raised, and kept on native grass, and hay of the
same, for almost nothing, until fatting time. Hay
costs 81 per ton, stacked
By 1878, we shall, owing to increased facilities
of transportation, put our products in New York or
Boston at a cost Of freight very little over the rates
now ruling from Buffalo to those citics-such will be
the Improvements and competition on the various
lines. Well, then, we obtain a net result equal to
shipments from Western New York, as to freight,
and produce the articles at far less than one third
the cost there. For example, l now raise wheat,
and place ii in my granaries, all and every charge
included, even to interest fat 10 per cent? on cost
of farm, tools, &c. at % cents per bushcl. Suppose
it costs, to put a barrel Of -four in New York (the
freightl, sl,25, and a bushels are required to the
barrel; then II stands me there, s2,75-say $500
This is no delusion or illusion.
Abundance of mills are built and building here.
Two now going up, with four run stone each, will
cost SO to $4,000 apieeel Rock River has water
power equal TO fifteen LO~els, placing dams twelve
miles apart.
i shall ever be graiifed in furnishing information,
either to parties visiting here, or by letter, touching
the resources Of this favored section, or other local
matters.
During winter, Dixon, Illinois, is my most con-
v~enient post-town.
JOHN SHILLABER.
Columbian Ma9asine,-An advertisement of SPLEEN
did premium nlatcs for the suhscrihera IN thia Mac