The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-06-02
A Colorado Farm.
Meadow sprtng,--A Wis. Farmsr.-Ad-
vice TO Young settlers.

NNN " houHH ntttieNt
After drive Of four miles, says acor.
respondent, writing from Greeley,
Colorado, we came into beautiful val.
ley, two miles wide and several miles
long. The ground has gentle slope
to the southeast, and on MI sides are
bluffs and craggy precipiCes of no great
height, but sufficient to break the wind.
A field OF about 600 acres has been in
closed by durable fence, and on the
southern side is large dwelling, and
beyond large barn connected with
sheds, md yards as extensive and as
well designed MS can be found in any OF
the States. All this is known MS
Meadow Springs Farm, owned by
Mr.. Maynard, whom came hithera little
over three years ago thathe might raise
sheep and cattle. He has at present
about 1900 head of cattle and 1000
sheep, and the sum total Of his invest.
ment has been $4,000. The house is
large and elegantly furnished, and books
and pictures abound. The best breeds
Of chickens and ducks are kept in large
numbers in appropriate quarters, and
shepherd, terrier and hunting dogs are
many. It the stables arc Is horses, in
the yards several hundred merino ewes,
equal to the best Vermont sheep, while
the main focks are out on the range in
the care Of shepherds. In other places
ARE to be seen young Durham cattle OF
high strain, as attested by handbook
Mr.. Maynard has had printed. Large
ricks of hay, amounting to more than
800 tons, were near by, but thus far it
hns scarcely been touched. This hay il
as green rs the hay ever appears when
first cut in Eastern meadows, for no rain
has ever fallen on ii. From ten to III.
teen men are constantly employed.
About fifteen acres OF land were plowed
last year, and potatoes, peas, and some
othercrops planted, but not much. The
soil is exceedingly rich, and the yield nj
crops was heavy, ALTHOUGH. no rain fell
nor was water applied by irrigation,
Choice animals arc fed With grim
ana corn meal, which is brought by the
car.lood from Kansas or Nebraska. In
u central part OF the stable IL well q
Ieet deep, aud water can DO obtained
anywhere in the valley at this depth, In
The center OF the valley and along line
ol more than d mile are as many as u
hundred springs, from six inches 10 six
feet aeross, bubbling up through sand
and rising to level with the general
surface. They never freeze, Tor the
temperature Of the water, the year
roundI 10 10 degrees. No fish are found,
but trout are to be brought hither from
the mountain rivers, and OF course they
will do well. The water from these
springs forms fine stream, but about
mile and half below the house it sinks
and disappears. Fourteen miles distant
the Foot Hills begin, and here pitch.
Pine is obtained in any desired quantity
Tor fuel. Coal has been found two
miles distant, and used for fuel. Stone
is abundant in tho crags. Wild ducks
and geese frequent the water in the
meadows. Antelopes are OF course
abundant, but generally when meat is
wanted fat steer is butchered.
One might think there would be but
lew visitors to place 30 remote, and
yet people call almost every day, for
they have several neighbors. One lives
seven, one eight, and one fourteen miles
distant, most being men without fnmi.
lies and living in rude huts engaged in
the care OF small herds which they hope
will grow. Then men come from differ.
ent parts Of the territory to see the fine
cattle and sheep, and often to purchase.
Mr.. Maynard has demonstrated that 4
cross OF squire Durham on the Texas
stock makes the best grade for the coun.
try, for the quality of taking on flesh is
united with hardness, aud the progeny
betrays scarcely trace OF the Texan.
The American merino, brought from tie
best stocks Of Vermont and Illinois, de.
cidedly improves on tho grass OF the
plains, and the dark greasy wool disap.
pears while the fneness remains. After
q flock has been brought to high
standard, scab and foot-rot are un.
known,
The average yield OF Mr.. Maynards
sheep is about eight pounds per head,
probably higher than in any other part
of the country. Mexican sheep yield
only about three pounds per head, and
the wool is worth only about half MS
much as that Of the Mcrinos. Sales of
wool, sheep, and cattle are usually
made on the farm, in which case there
arc no such things as commission,
freights, shrinkRge, and stealage. Near.
~ 1000 sheep were sold on this place
last year ut about $3.50 head, which
with the wool, made total Of about Ss
each. On the whole, shsep are consid.
cred more profitable than any other
stock, although it is stated by stock
men that the increase Of cattle is as
much rs 90 per cent. per annum; and
Mr.. Maynard says he can raise fine
three.year.old steer tit for the butcher
at three.fourths OF cent a pound, live
weight. I saw as fine Durham stock, in
full flesh, as plump and in as good
heart MS ever started from the blue
grass fields Of Kentucky for Eew.York,
that have been on the range all winter
and have not had an ounce Of hay; and
they were rs gentle as lambs.
might have asked Mr.. Maynard how
much money lie makes, but l did not.
Still he did say that there is room on
bis range for 100000 sheep, and for
thousands Of cattle, though rather fur.
Their away. But o, young man, do not
for moment think that the care OF cat.
tie and sheep is a holiday matter, and
that money is to be made hand over fist
by turning a flock Of sheep out on the
plains to increase and grow fat. Listen
to MI. Maynard's story, and II ia as true