Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-11-29
Shaker Farming in KeHlusky. .

The prosperity end thrift which mark this
singular sect whether located in New Eng
land or the Vest, IS Of that quiet, unosten-
tati0us and comfortable character which Is
pleasant both to witness and to read about
The editor q the Valley Farmer gives an
account Of visit he made recently 10 the
Society in Mercer co, Ken, from which
we make the following extracts They Ger
taiHly show Chat farming may be made prot.
table
Itetg Ea0e--This society was estab
Hlished III 1851. They were extremely poor.
&c, and beFan farming mon about on
hundred acres Of land They now own a.
bout iige thousand acres, Worth S50to 500
IN acre. There are 1--WE families, and
between three and four hundred members
Their dwelling and ont-houses are large.
ie0nmaliaus ana vel built, oh.eng Of bricl.
and st4ae. The most % their land is onelos.
cd and subdiN.del with substantial stone
walls. They nave hired one man for twelve
years, Who has devoted his whole time 10
building this Glnd Of fence, aided from time
to time BY others. They have now about
forty miles Of this wall completed which
cost about $lo40 mile or So, 600 for the
whole.
Their .gtoe4-The whole number of cat.
de upon the farm IS about 300 head, mostly
full blood short horns, some Of which are
from the best imported stock in tie State
They average shout 80 head IF mlch CONS
TO each family. The cattle are bred with
4iew to tie Improvement of their milking
qualities, apd IN tits respect we think that
breeders generally in Kentucky pay SO lit
de regard TINT thcir stock is permanently
injured ly 1t. Their system Of feeding IS
Of the most economical character. and hest
calculated 10 promote the growth aud sus
tain the health Of animals. The lay, oata
aud straw are stored AID cut upon tie foar
above. Their cutting machines are of the
Sinclair pattern, propelled by horse power.
and VII eat i'm Of feed in short tine
Their cattle are arranged in stalls on each
sile # .he Larn, with passage between
IN this passage is railway upon which Is
run large hex for mixing ard delivering
the food which is vet with water applied
by pump from & e,stega immediately I'm.
der the passage The meal, which is of
corn and rye efound fine is stored above.
and is let down into tho box thro' a spout.
They mike no calculation on raising grain
beyond die wants Of the several families and
their stock. In 1885, they harvested from
tee acres, 3io0 bushels Of wheat, equal to
q bushels per acre. The crop Of the pres
ent season is Of superior quality, but the
yic4 was Is bushels per acre.
Flat Geaeiag a58 P,tsdreiag constitutes
one eff tie chief sources Of revenue 10 this
society Besides Tie large amount Of ap=
Iles. feaoees, pears and Strawberries tha
arc dried and preserved iag taeif own use,
LEY preserve large quantities annually ioi
s3le. A. 1893, which was q fruitful year
they preserved in sugar 50 tuns Of different
hinas of fruit. The present year, their lead
Tag uiaties having been cutoff, the guam
thy paa ZIP is bat ABOUT 10 tans, chiefly OF
strawberries raspheliies, cherries. pltims,
and plam ielly neasly half Of the whole is
strawberries, and die quantity OF these
would paYe heen greatly increased hut fos
tba severe droueh, which set in Just as the
f,Higss lipaaias.
6fdaf HRtsefa.-,u addition to the anau
al sales Of Durham cattle and preserved
fLits. the society manufacture large num-
Lee of br8oms, Which from their superior
quality end finish, find ready sale in oRl
markets ut IN advanced price upon the az
a'HaIy article. OF the number Of acres in
broom corn the present year We did not in
1dige, bun besides what they cultivatethem
selves, they hire the neighhorng farmers to
crew q considerable quantity, and FROM
S Aat we saw should estimate the land ,oe.
-4rg.s..i L.