Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-06-10
Agricultural.
This Department is conducted by
Hon. j. w. COlburn and Hon. John Gregory.
The Highland Stock Firm.


Having passed few days in Boston re-
Gently, with some agricultural friends Of this
state and New York, we met by appointment
Mr.. Winthrop W. Chenery, in the Custom
House, on business in which we were all con-
eerned and this interview opened an ac-
quaintance with Mr.. Chenery, the owner Of
the farm named above, of about 400 acres, on
an eminence six miles out of the city limits
Some of us had met Mr.. c. before at our
State Fair at Bratteboro, with his superb
Dutch cattle, but none had seen the farm on
which they are kept, and where thoroughbred
stock are rapidly increasing, consisting of
horses, cattle, sheep, goats and swine, under
the eye of careful and skilful breeder. BY
an invitation of Mr.. G. We all visited this
farm on the 22d ult., with Mr.. Witherill, the
editor of the Boston Caltipator, and were
richly paid for our time and trouble.
The farm is on an elevation commanding
view of Boston and most Of the surroundings, |
scene of surprising beauty. The spacious
and commodious barns, and other out-houses,
with the convenient cottage for the foreman,
the heavy and substantial stone fences the
large amount Of orcharding, the graded half
mile track, with convenient stand overlook
ing it, on which his English thorough-breds
are daily exercised, the rich green of the
fields, all had charm for the lovers of ma
ture, improved by the tasteful and skilful
hand of art Mr.. Chenery told US he was
born upon this farm here his youthful days
were passed, and an attachment exists to this
spot, though his princely residence is two
miles away on another eminence, and luera-
tive business in the city absorbing much of his
time, yet it is evident that the farm, with the
stock thereon, receives no small share OF his
attention. Here is an instance of the love
and attachment to paternal acres so rare in
this fast American life but few cas- appreci-
ate, and fewer still realize. Webster chung
to the ownership of his birthplace, and the
scenes of his boyhood, upon the banks of the
Merrimack in New Hampshire, though large
=
at Marshfeld closed over his mortal remains
There is something noble and praise-worthy in
this veneration for first home, for the scenes Of
early life for the place where we first saw the
light and breathed the air of heaven. But
am DEPRESSING from the subject, as am quite
apt to do, and will return to the description
of what we saw upon the Highland farm.
First, the three stock horses, Grey Eagle,
Belmont Chief and Highland Chief, two of
which are thoroughbred English blood the
other nearly SO, and all noted for speed and
endurance, The first commands 500 for
each service, the others $50, though no nsur-
ed foal. Quite a number of young horses of
the blood, of beautiful symmetry and form,
and of great action, were shown us,-taken
altogether superior display Of horse stock,
and great treat to those who can appreciate
the beauty, the action, and the fine qualities
of this noblest of all the domestic animals.
Second, the splendid herd of Halstein or
Dutch cattle-bulls, COWS, hefers and calves
COWS with udders unsurpassed by any breed,
showing great qualities for the dairy, and in
other respects strong competitors with the
short horns or Durhams.
Third, some of the best specimens of the
long-wooled sheep, the Lincolnshire Texals,
and ive-quarters sheep, the latter great
curiosity, the tail, or the " fith-quarter," be
ing the heaviest. The Texal produces fleece
Of surprising excellence for clothing, the
owner wearing at this time full suit made
from their wool
Fourth, flock Of about 20 Angora goats,
which had been shorn---a novel and beautiful
sight The feeces Of these animals have not
IN this country been fully tested, for the lack
OF proper machinery, but have no doubt
they WILL prove superior article for lustre,
as the glossy and brilliant staple fully ind.
Gates.
Fifth, Yorkshire hogs and pigs, the latter
selling for 500 per pair, male and female.
This is decidedly superior breed of porkers.
color perfectly white, delicate in bone, great
length in middling, with handsome head and
ears and well developed IN shoulders and
hams.