Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-06-08
Hrnntbrt gourml.
AVVTCH CONSTABLE.

Ancr looking over the farm We were
,aten toward the house, and entered u
large door leading into an enormous room,
the like of which we had never seen. The
walls were neatly whitewashed. The lit
tie windows were hung with white cun.
taips. Along each wall was strip OF
clean brick-work, and next to this a white
washed gutter; then came, for width OF
about six feet, flooring OF handsome oid
Dutch tiles, we'll laid; then two rows OF
upright posts. the use OF which was not at
all obvious. Between these rows OF posts
was wide passage-way leading the
whole length of the hall. There were
several tables, on which were bright u'en-
sis and some handsome articles of pot
terry. We congratulated ourselves on see.
ing the largest and cleanest dairy we had
ever met with, but, on second look, the
absence OF milk, and of the evidence OF
daily use. led us to inquire, and, we iouhd
to our surprise, that we were IN the cow
stable. which had been put in order for
the summer. Except for the stanchions
and tying poles, and the gutter behind the
stalls. there was nothing to indicate the
use intended.
Like all Dutch cow-stables of the old
STYLE, this was in summer the showroom
of the establishment. The tiles are con-
sidcred great luxury; but few families
use them. Generally, their place is taken
by neatly broomed white sand. The CEN
trail slley is floored with bricks, and just
in front of the tying-posts there is de-
preston or gutter. also of brick. These
drinking cutters slope very slightly from
one end to the other. Water is pumped
in at the upper end, and is let off at pleas
ure at the other The cows stand on a
raised earthern floor, supported by a brick
wall at its rear end 1t is this cattle floor
which is in summer covered with nova
BILE tiles; the manure trough is quite deep,
and contains the solid droppings until they
are removed in a barrow. The urine flows
off to the underground receptacle which
collects all the liquid refuse of the estab-
lishment, and which has pump for fill
ing the tank-cart by which the meadows
are sprinkled.
In the loft over the stable, the cheeses
are seasoned and prepared for market.
Back of this part of the building are the
cheese factory, horse-stables, wagon
house, tool-sheds. etc. Leaving these, and
returning through the constable, we
passed through glass door into sitting.
room with some handsome articles OF Old
furniture, and ample evidence OF neatness
and comfort. At one side OF this we en-
tered q little office or library. where we
were shown handsome scientific books and
various old objects of interest, and were
requested to inscribe our names in the
visitors book, which had been well filled
by travellers from all parts OF the world.
In ha la,.n nnnOSlfR the GLASS
door spoken of, Is fireplace, ana over
this large mirror. Here, MIR. Siuis
showed us how he sits in winter toastlng
his shins before the fire, and looking up
from his paper now and then to enjoy the
reflected view of his two rows OF fine cat
tie, which seem almost members OF the
family. We saw nothing further of the
house, and am therefore unable to refute
or to verify the stories that are told OF the
absurd cleanliness which is said TO be III
separable from Dutch housekeeping. So
far as we did see, everything was neat
and after its kind tasteful, and in good
wholesome order. The farmer and his
son were not distinguishable in appear
ance. education (save in languages), or
general intelligence, from the better class
of New England farmers.
Off from one corner of the COW stable Is
dingy, clearly, sweet-smelling room
where the cheeses are manufactured by a
burly bare. armed Dutchman, clean in his
person, and very active and business-like
in his movements. The making of round
cheeses, which we know rs Edam or
Dutch cheese. is the great industry of all
North Holland.-George Il. Waring Jr.,
ScyiJxer for ,Jlfae