Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-07-30
Farm of Governor Smith.

Mr.. Towle, agricultural editor Of the st..
Adams Transcript, has recently visited the
farm Of Gov. Smith, and to his report we
are indebted for the following particulars
Of the estate. 1t contains about one thou
sand acres, besides tract Of marsh land,
aud is situated on what is called St. a lbans
Point. We have often alluded TO the
Champlain valley as one of the richest
agricultural sections Of New England, par
ticularly for the production Of grass. The
soil is heavy, but productive. The Gov
errors farm is composed of clay, clay loan,
muck and perhaps occasionally a gravel
loam The yield Of the hay crop is from
500 to 900 tons annually. This year 1875
acres are under the plough, ffty.6ve Of
which are in oats aud two or three in man.
Colds, which were looking finely. 1t is in.
tended to raise grain only for the use Of
the farm, making hay the principal crop, Of
which portion will be sold. To assist in
keeping up the fertility Of the meadows,
the deposit Of muck referred to, will be
used freely. To show its value as a top
dressing for grass lands, when used alone
on clay soil It was stated that quantity
was dug last winter aud putin heaps on the
Geld, and in spring, as soon as the frost was
cut, spread evenly aud brushed down fine.
The result was a crop Of grass so heavy
and lodged that it could only be muwn one
way, with a machine. From this expert.
mcnt it is safely concluded that muck will
be a valuable fertilizer for the clay lands 4;
and such is its proximity to the fields where
wanted, and with the almost unlimited sup.
ply, there would seem to be no need Of in-
lerior grass crops in favorable seasons.
A brick barn, 100 by $50 feet has been
erected, but not finished The central part
is four stories high, including the base
meDt and the whole is divided into three
parts by partition walls Of brick. In the
central part Of the first floor above the base
ment is the carriage room, j0x70 feet
Large weighing scales will be inserted in
the floor. la one corner will be an Office,
and room for steam power, with which to
cut ana grind the feed for horses and cat
tie. Running up from this floor to the
fourth story, which will be devoted to the
storage Of threshed grain, will be an ele-
vator, while in an opposite corner will be a
feed room.
The two rooms north aud south of the
one described, on this floor, are each 40x
100 feet one for cattle and the other for
horses and cattle There will be a row Of
stalls on each side with a wide passage way
between, and doors at each end, allowing
Of the passage Of teams through the COW
stable. A shallow trench behind the cat.
tie stalls will hold the water aud absorb.
ents which, with the solid excrements will
be precipitated into the manure cellar be.
low.
The third floor contains three lofts for
hay, estimated to be sufficient to contain
2S5 tons
The basement or cellar contains three
rooms, connected by large doors, allowing
Of the free passage Of teams to all parts
Here will be conveniences for storing roots
muck, etc, as well as manure.
Mr.. Towle also says that tank for
water sixteen feet in diameter, will extend
from this basement to the roof, and be FILL
ed With water from the Bay, by wind pow.
or. The pressure Of a column Of water Of
that height must necesstate tank Of im-
mcnse strength A tank on each floor may
be intended.
There are five houses for the laborors on
the farm, in addition to that of the super.
iutendent, where the entire force is fed and
part lodged. There are also several old
barns at different parts of the estate.