The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-07-07
From the st. Adams Messenger.l
visit 10 GOV. smiths Farm ON
St Adams Point.

81. Adams Point.
We had the pleasure of making short
vi sit to the above farm, one day last week,
and give the result of our observations and
of our inquiries for the benefit of our farm
crs and others.
The drive from the village to the Point
is very pleasant, and would be more so If
the road around the Bay was somewhat inn
proved.
The new buildings of the farm are so To-
Gated little distance to the northwest OF
that part of the Bay, as to be plainly seen
almost the entire distance from the village
of st. Adams, and form prominent land
mark in the pleasant drive to Lake view
House" and the fishing grounds beyond.
We found the gentlemanly and efficient
farm Superintendent, Mr.. John Rixson, at
home. and on learning the object of our
visit, we were offered by him every facii-
ity necessary for our purpose. Gov omi,h
has been in possession OF TINS iarm only
some two years, it previously belonging to
the late Hon. Lawrence Brainerd. Ii con-
,ains some 1000 acres besides quite a tract
Of marsh running the entire length of the
farm from north to south, bordering on a
small creek, wherein is large deposit of
muck of the finest quality for the improve
ment of the adjoining meadows.
The soil of this farm is mostly composed
of clay, clay loan, muck and perhaps oc-
casionally a gravel loan. 1t is particularly
adapted to the production of grass, the
yield of hay crop being from 800 to 900 tons
annually. This year, l25 acres are under
the plow, 50 of which are in oats and or
three in mangolds, which were looking
finely. 1t is intended 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 re-
ferred to, will be brought freely into re-
QUESTION: TO show its value as Il top dress
ing for grass lands, when used alone or a
clay soil, Mr.. Rickson gave the following
statement
We dug out quantity in winter and put
in heaps on the field, and in spring as soon
as the frost was out. spread evenly and
brushed down fine. The result was crop
of grass so heavy and lodged that it could
only be mown one way, with machine.
From this experiment it is safely conclu-
dcd that muck will be II valuable fertilizer
for the clay lands, and such in its proximity
to the fields where wanted, and with the
almost unlimited supply, there would seem
to be no need of inferior grass crops in
favorable seasons Will farmers similarly
circumstanced make a note of this? This
muck is of such quality that when the
water disappears Il tall species of grass and
wild oats quickly spring up, affording good
pasturing in dry weather.
From the upper story of the barn n fine
view of the farm is offered, extending far to
the north and nearly level, while from here
and also from the house, the water of the
Bay, with the village nesting by the shoe
and further back the is to-bc city of st. Al
bans, extending itself on every side, while
still hey ond the long line of green hills
all these make picture well worth coming
here to behold.
description of this place will not be
complete without particular notice of the
new farm buildings, now nearly finished.
The barn is large brick structure, the
central part being four stories high includ-
ing basement with French roof which is
slated.
The entire building is l00xl50 feet II
it is divided into three parts with partition
walls of brick. In the central part of the
first floor above the basement is the car
riage room, 50x10 feet. Large weighing
scales will be inserted in the floor. In one
corner will be an Office and room for horse
and ultimately for steam power, with which
to cut and grind the feed for horses and
cattle. Running up from this floor to the
fourth story, which will be devoted to the
storage of threshed grain, will be an eleva-
tor, while in the opposite corner will be &
food room.
The two rooms north and south of the on,
described, on this floor, are each 40xl0(
feet, and one for cattle and the other fol
horses and cattle. There will be row o
stalls on each side with wide passage way
between, wide doors at each end, allowing
of the passage of teams through the COW
stable. A shallow trench behind the cattle
stalls will hold the water absOrbents, which
with the solid excrcments will be precipita
ted into the manure cellar below. The
floors of these rooms, excepting where tho
stock stand, will be of elm, which is con
sidered the best timber for the purpose. The
walls overhead will be ceiled with matched
spruce. The third floor contains three loft
for hay, estimated to contain 2S5 tons. TIL,
basement or cellar contains three rooms
connected by large doors, allowing of til,
free passage of teams to all parts.
The rooms under the stables will be use,
for manure cellars, and are large enough t.
contain large quantity of muck to mi,
with the manure. Under the horse stable
hogs will be kept. The central part will b,
for roots In the south east corner of thi
diameter and extending up to the roof
This will contain water for use of barn ant
house. 1t will be supplied from the Bay
by wind power. The distance is so rods t.
the Bay, while the pipe runs 27 rods out in
to the water. This will be forced up to
height of a hundred feet. Water can bt
taken to any floor and by means of host
conducted to any part of the building in cast
of fire.
On the east side of the barn yard viii
extend back 125 feet, being enclosed with
brick wall and surmounted by one roo
shed. This barn is most thoroughly ant
substantially built, being founded LITERAL,
upon rock, and when completed will b,
solid, convenient and beautiful. The hous
is brick, % feet long, and nicely adapted t,
the purposes of the farm. The rooms ar
large and airy, and the prospect from som,
OF them is very pretty. 1t is well planne,
and constructed from cellar to attic, and de
signed for the economy and comfort of tn,
large household The farm Superintendent
here AMI the entire laboring force is fed an,
part lodge at this house. There are. fiv
houses besides, occupied by families of work
men, and numerous barns and out build
ings, several of the barns being 100 feet II
length. 1t usually requires 10 men to dc
the farm work, and during the hayng sea
son more are needed. While the building
have been in process of erection mucl
larger force has been required.
Our visit, though short, was pleasant ant
one of interest, and we trust the imperfeo
description here given will be found worth,
OF perusal by every one engaged in farming
and rural occupations. T.