The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-11-15
Union Cattle Market.


Cambridge Cattle Market is soon to be
given up. The division of the estates of
the old proprietors, Messrs. Porter and
Meacham, together with the demand for
the land occupied by the yards for build
ing purposes, have made the abandonment
of this market necessary. Anticipating
this event, the managers of the Fitch
burgh railroad purchased in WATERFOWL,
several years ago, some thirty acres Of
land well located ond admirably adapted
to the purposes Of a cattle market. Hav-
ing received notice that the yards at Cam
bridge must be closed, President w. b.
Stearns of Fitchburgh Railroad, with
some of the directors, visited some of
the principal cattle markets of the coun-
try to examine the plans and arrange
ments which have been adopted for the
convenience of buyer and seller, and for
the comfort of the beasts. The proprie-
tors of the present Boston cattle markets
have been slow to adopt the modern i'm
provements that have been enjoyed
for some time at Albany, Chica-
60, and elsewhere, particularly in regard
to shelter of animals from storms. But
in the grounds at WATERFOWL it is the OBJ
ject of those who have the charge of the
work, and not only adopt the convenience
Of the best markets, but to make such i'm
provements as experience here and else
where suggested.
AT the commencement Of operations at
the Union Cattle Market, stone culvert
the whole length of the ground was laid.
Into this, pipes will discharge the drain.
age Of the yards, which are to be con-
structed not on the surface soil, but on
gravel, under much of which is layer of
broken stone. Both stone and excellent
gravel are found on the ground, and
large amount of grading is now being
done.
We visited the location few days
since, but as our stay was brief, we rely
on the correspondents of the Advertiser
and Journal for most Of our figures. The
wharf or landing, full half mile in
length, is built Of stone with its founda-
tions below the reach of frost, with hcwn
granite blocks for cap-stones. Between
this landing and the Shutc yards is
passage or space ten feet wide. Each
Of these landing yards is to be equal in
length to that Of an ordinary stock car.
The gates of these receiving yards will
open each way so as to form fenced
passage from the car to the yard an ar
rangement which it is believed will prove
very useful to the drovcr in unloading
stock.
These receiving yards open on the op-
posite side from the cars into a regularly
laid street, made of choice gravel and
macadamized stone, forty-fvc feet wide /;
this street is to be lighted with gas, as
well as the interior Of the sheep houses.
From this street stock passes into sale
yards, as well as into the sheep and swine
houses, which are large, monitor rooted,
well ventilated buildings. The sheep
houses are divided into pens that will ad.
nit from 125 to $50 sheep, with every
convenience; sheep racks, troughs and
shelves for salt and other food. There
are twenty-six double pens in each house,
giving each dealer an opportunity to assert
his hocks. Platform scales are situated
at the junction of the different entrances
in the center of the buildings, and will
admit 200 sheep at a single draft
The double cattle yards, with sheltered
roofs, are in close proximity to the sheep
houses, extending from the main street,
up the gradual rise of land, with ample
accommodations for food and water. -
There are also fine accommodations for
hogs and calves, and everything possible
is provided for the comfort Of man and
beast.