Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-09-30

puleJS an uPi iBht ot"uu"'N 20 "A0"5"F
forcibly against each end of the fleece,
holding it securely while it is tied. The
inventor showed this press in this town
during the past summer and can refer to
many of our best citizens for their opin-
ion in regard to its style and the perfect
manner in which wool is done up with
its aid.
The only show of poultry was from S.
&c w. S. Allen of Vergennes, consisting
of many varieties of choice geese, ducks,
Chinese, Polish, Spanish and Guinea
fowls, also pigeons and RABBITS.
The show of fruit was very tempting
The most notable specimens were one
pear IL l2 ounces and one bunch Of
grapes l6 ounces. The specimens of ap-
pies were numerous and very perfect
As is usual at Vermont fairs the show
of horses was quite good, but leaving ii
TO committees to designate the best only
mention that two were from this county,
both from Barton, one owned by Lewis
Ford and the other by Franklin Farley.
These horses are a credit to their cwn-
ers and an honor to the county. 1t is to
be regretted that Orleans county did so
little to add to the attractions and the
usefulness of the fair; one of the best
agricultural districts in the S ia e, she
should take the position that her impor-
lance gives her.
The mechanical department presented
many interesting and instructive features.
In planting, cutivating, moving, rakiDg,
pitching, threshing, the farmer receives
valuable aids from machinery. And in
washing, wringing, sewing and butter
making, the women are also aided by
mans inventive genius and skill.
AS sheep husband:y occupies the at
tention Of so many it shall be my apollo
gy for mentioning visit to the well TILED
farm of Mr.. Henry S. Billings, of Le5-
anon, n. H., whose flock numbers ZIG
Spanish merinoes. He feeds and keeps
his sheep through the winter in the well
lighted Easements of two barns, one A
by 20 and the other 80 by 80, where
with good ricks for feeding hay and
grain, and plenty of running water they
gain flesh through the winter, drop their
lambs in March and April, are sheared
without washing in April before they 60
into the pastures. Another good feature
in the management is to turn the sheep
into the field as early in the fall as is pos
sib!e, so that they may be in good condi-
lion TO commence the winter, and also
what is Of great importance, they are
near at hand to be driven into shelter du-
ring the cold storms of this season. The
night of the 18th of September it rained
very hard and more than one hundred Of
Mr.. BIS sheep, including ~ lambs, were
safely housed beneath the barns.
As many in this section maintain that
a farm cannot be kept in as good condi-I
ton with sheep as with cows, l was in
formed that with so years of experience,
sheep farms would compare well with
dairy farms in fertility. One more fact
worthy of notice; Mr.. Billings has avail
ed himself OF nearly all the aids that ma
chinery gives the farmer, and he does not
believe the hardest way is always the
best.
In contrast to this let me mention that
most of the sheep in this county are al.
lowed to run in the pasture until snow
comes and sometimes till il is so deep
that it is with difficulty they can be dry
EN- to the barn, and then sheltered be
meath open sheds and in the lea of the
barn. had been led to believe this wav
most conducive to health and hearty
appetite, which doctrine l now repudi-
ate. u. L. J.
Hon -In.nnL II Dnnn.4L IL e IL e L