The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-07-11

''>'' 10 GOV. Smiths Farm ON
| NJ. Adams Point.
TJ-~had the pleasure Of making a short |
visit 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
qrs 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 Appointment landg
mark in the pleasant drive to 'Lakc View
House" and the fishing grounds beyond.
We found the gentlemanly and efficient |
farm Superintendent, Mr.. John Rixson, at
uomc, and on learning the object of our
visit, we were offered by him every faci-
n.y. necessary for our purpose. Gov. Smith |
has been in possession of this farm only |
some two years, it previously belonging to
the late Hon. Lawrence Brainerd 1t con-
aims some 1000 acres besides quite tract |
1t marsh running the entire length of the |
farm from north to south, bordering on a
snail creek, wherein is large dcposit of |
muck of the finest quality for the improve
ment of the adjoining meadows.
The soil of this farm is mostly composed |
o'clay, clay loan, muck and perhaps oc-
usionally a gravel loam 1t is particularly
WIaptcd to the production of grass, the
Deld of hay crop being from 500 to 900 tons
Hnualy. This year, l2a acres are under
iOc pillow, IS of which are in oats and Z or
.irae IN mangoldS, which were looking
finely 1t is intended to raise grain only
o. 90 b, La, IL
principal crop. of which portion will be
sold. TO assist in keeping UP tn. fertility
Of the meadows, the deposit of muck re-
TERED to, will be brought freely into re-
quisition. To show its value AS top dress
iug for grass lands, when used alone or
alay soil, Mr.. Rickson give the following
statement
We dug out quantity in winter and put
in heaps on the field, and in spring as so II
Us the frost was out, spread evenly and
rushed down fine. The result was a crop
Of graz, so heavy and lodged that it could
only be Inown one way. with II machine,
From this experiment it is safely concu-
dcl that muck will be a valuable fertilizer
''hc clay lands, and such in its proximity
t. the fields where wanted, and with the
almost unlimited supply, there would seem
~ sS4~-.' ftc5tf OF inferior grass crops in
favoral he seasons Will farmers similarly
f circum. need make a note of this? This
muck of such quality that when the
T. water appears IL tall species of grass and
wild CA, quickly spring up, afIording good
2 pasturing in dry weather.
/ From the upper story of the barn Gnc
2 view the farm is offered, extending far to
5 the north and nearly level, while from here
: aud also from the house, the water of the
Bay, with the village nesting by the Sho e,
, and further back the is to-be city of St. Al
bans, extending itself on every side, while
5 still hey Ond the long line of green hills
: all these make a picture well worth coming
: here TO behold.
A 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
l central part being four stories high includ-
ing basement with French roof which is
q slated
, The entire building is l0oXl5Q feet. 1t
= lis divided into three parts with partition
, walls of brick In the central part of the
first floor above the basement is the car
rage room j0xi0 feet Large weighing
scales will be inserted in the floor In one
o. corner will be an Office and room for horse
and ultimately for steam power, with which
cattle. Running up from this floor to the
1 fourth story, which will be devoted to the
, storage of thrcShed grain, will be an eleya-
tor, while in the opposite corner will be
food room
The two rooms north and south OF the one
: described, on this floor are each 4OXl00
1 feet, and one for cattle and the other for
horses and cattle There will be row of
stalls on each side with wide passage way
between, wide doors Mt 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 eXcrements will be precpita-
ted into the manure cellar below. The
| floors of these rooms, excepting where the
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 lofts
$ for hay, estimated to contain 2S5 tons. The
: basement or cellar contains three rooms,
r. connected by large doors, allowing of the
free passage of teams to all parts.
= II ls.-1Dms under the stables will be used
| formapurc cellars, and are large enough to
| contain N large quantity of muck to mix
with the manure. Under the horse stable,
: hogs will be kept. The central part will be
| for roots. In the south east corner of this
D room viii be II circular tank sixteen feet in
| diameter and extending up to the roof,
This VIII contain water for use of barn and
: house. 1t will be supplied from the Bay
c by wind power. The distance is so rods to
5 the Bay, while the pipe runs q rods out in
= to the water. This will be forced up to Il
height Of hundred feet. Water can be
taken to any floor and by means of hose
c conducted to any part of the building in case
y of fire.
On the east side of the barn yard will
extend back l25 feet, being enclosed with a
brick wall and surmounted by n one roof
Y she'd This barn is most thoroughly and
substantially built, being founded literally
upon rock, and when completed will be
solid, convenient and beautiful. The house
is brick, 0S feet long, and nicely adapted to
: the purposes of the farm. The rooms are
large and airy, and the prospect from some
, of them isyery pretty. 1t is well planned
and constructed from cellar to attic, and de-
signed Tor the economy and comfort ofthe
+ large household. The farm Superintendent
here AMI the entire laboring force is fed and
part lodge at this house. There are five
houses besides, occupied by families ofwork-
. men, ana numerous barns and out-build-
ings, several of the barns being 100 feet IN
length 1t usually requires 10 men to do
the iarm work, and during the haying sea-
= son more are needed. While the buildings
. have been in process of erection much
o larger force has been required.
, Our visit, though short, was pleasant and
: one OF interest, and We trust the imperfect
I description here given will be found worthy
4 Oh Perusal by every one engaged in farming
. and rural occupations. T.