Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-09-25
l1crmOnt farms.
For tho VERMONT Farmer.
THE ALLEN FARM.


The Lamoillc Valley is equal in beautiful
scenery to any other Vermont river valley,
and in a ride through il no farm impressed
me quito as iavorably as the Allen farm in
Hyde Park, SO called because it was owned
many years by Hon. Ira II. Allen.
Here the road skirts along the edge Of the
upland at sufficient height to give an excel
lent view of field Of liz acres between the
road and the river, all nice fertile ti,lage
land Indeed am informed that 81 acres
can be plowed in one land without
stone, stump, root or bog to throw
out the plow. This 6eld is the gem Of the
farm, and the remainder of the 500 acres is
the setting. The pastures stretch back over
the hill, and give feed to "a cows and about
80 other cattle, % OF which are half blood
Jersey heifers and yearlings. So many
grades Of a kind indicates that a good butter
dairy is desired, aud that there is faith in
the Jersey blood.
About 200 acres are in woodland in all
its native wealth Of large trees. A few,
that is to say, 1900, of the naples were
tapped last spring, and | am told the result
was 5000 pounds Of sugar.
Can Vermont farm be more perfect
than this, with its fields, pasture, woodland
and sugar place so well proportioued
While the farm was owned by Mr.. Allen
it was rented and was carried on as well as
rented farms usually are, but after his death
it was for sale. The present owner, Nathan
Mcfarland, lived in Cambridge, had sold
nice home and farm, and had almost made
himself believe he was old enough to retire
from farming, and live on the results of his
previous labor, and live easy as scores of
middle aged farmers are now doing in the
villages of Vermont but this farm was put
into the market and with the judgment Of
skilliul farmer he believed its qualities were
not all developed and it might be improved,
so he bought the farm three years ago last
April, for $500, aud moved upon it, think
| ing to hire most OF the work done. He has
entered heartily into the work of improve
ment in the land, fences and buildings. In
the land, the improvement shows. In one
place where the former occupant cut only
four tons of hay, twenty tons are now gath
cred. Another place where only half ton
was carted away, now four tons is the yield ;
this was brought about by draining, culture,
and manure. This year the hay crop is es-
timated at lao tons, and there are fifteen
acres of oats aud several acres in potatoes.
The buildings are improved. was par
ticuarly impressed with the substantial and
capacous looks of barn, 44xl30 feet, with
basement under it, well finished. clap
boarded, and painted brown. The floor runs
its whole length and is well arranged for
crops, cattle, aud manure.
Near the barn l am quite sure | saw a
hay tedder as well as horse rake and a
moving machine. A hay tedder is very
useful machine and on large farm is al
most indispensable in securing large hay
crop in good condition. There ought to be
more of them used
Judge that Mr.. Mcfarland is so well
pleased with his present home that he will
still continue among the working farmers of
the state, and so use the knowledge and ex-
perience of his past life that now his farm
ing in his old age shall be a glorious success.
Just below Mr.. McFarland's noticed a
farmer who has made his road fence straight
across his farm, while the road takes its
winding way several rods from the fence.
You are right; it will be better to have the
road as straight as line across the farm,
and it can as well be so. | passed other
nice farms and farm buildings that deserve
praise.
noticed in a dooryard four posts set
about three feet apart, forming square, a
window on every side, and within a nice lot
of house plants. An excellent idea here
in the full sunlight the plants must thrive il
well watered, and then they are not whipped
by the wind as they are upon the veranda oil
in the open ground.
l am told that many of these farmers take
the VERMONT FARMER. The Lamoille val
ley may be the subject of another article.
u. Il. jameson.