The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-27
A Little Farm.

r. X. Kinney, near Worcester, Mass.
commenced, in 1867, the cultivation OF
two acres of land, used until that time
for pastures, within the limits of that
city, but three and a half or for miles
from the business center, and adjoining
the line of the town of Holden. This
was one of the stoniest and most unin-
viting of hillsides for cultivation, but
favorably located for building and mar
keting purposes, it being on Olean
street, and in an excellent neighbor-
hood. The first year be subdued the
soil by cultivation Of crop of potatoes,
found market in the city 10 sell the
stone for cellar walls, and returning
home took loads Of manaure TO compost
for future crops. That fall and the fol-
lowing spring he set three -fourths Of an
acre to strawberry plants and com
menced building. The third season he
realized 81 900 for the crop OF strawber-
ries from the three fonrths acre, and
having received enough from other
crops to pay for cultivation, completed
his buildings, &c. Since that time he
has taken the lead ip the cultivation OF
strawberries, and realized large profit
on his investments in that branch, be.
sides originating some new varietie-
which promiss, to be valuable additions
| to the list Of that delicious fruit. AT
prespnf he hos ovar f,yn ,cros ,,f st-o,y
berry plants, in fine state of cultiva-
tion; and, having added land from time
TO time till his fruit farm contains some
more than fifteen acres, he has set two
acres Of grape vines, of choice varieties,
which he has also cultivated qnite ex-
tensively and successfully. constantly
] keeping the ground among them, and at
all spare corners, and newly plowed up
land covered with vegetables for mar
ket, which yielded paying income.
The expense and difficulty Of procur.
ing sufficient supply of fertilizers not
the want Of employment upon the land
during the winter suggested 10 Mr.. Kin
ney the expediency Of breeding and
keeping fowls on an extensive scale, and
in the spring of 1870 he commenced
raising Brown Leghorn fowls from a
small stock Of that breed, which he had
for many years kept purely bred from
imported stock, secured by him at the
time of their first introd ductiOn into this
country. In this enterprize the same
remarkable success has crowned his ef-
forts. Intelligent and careful breeding
has gained for him fabulous prices for
his best specimens-from $50 to 500
each and last year his sales Of fowls
amounted 10 over 81 800. He has rails.
ed 1000 chickens this year, and is in a
fair way Of realizing nearly double that
amount for them.
Another iniereating feature Of pro-
ductive industry has been added, that OF
bee-keeping-and even the sweets Of the
wild flower, white clover pastures, and
the blossoms Of the cultivated fruits and
flowers, are gathered for the market by
those faithful little servants. Four
years ago last spring he purchased a
small swarm. and now he has twelve
we'll filled hives, which he has raised
from them, besides having received over
$3.50 for bees and honey sold. Being
thus favorably situated and well-cared
for, his bees have produced during the
past season large quantities Of honey o.
the very finest quality. which has been
sold as high as half dollar per pound
I Rural New Yorker.