Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-02-05
An Eminent AerlcuIturist. %

NV I.UuOTs-l utQutuNly ltdu III wv
papers descriptions of the farms, stock,
buildings, and methods of cultiyating The
soil, of eminent agriculturists, gotten up
by enthusiasts interviewers. Such de-
scriptions are really entertaining and prof
liable reading for an ordinary farmer, in
asmuch as they tend to stimulate his ambi-
tion, and occasionally contain hints that
arc of considerable value to him. be-
came so deeply impressed with this fact re-
Gently, after feastng upon one Of the far
mer princes of Westminster county, artis-
tically served up in popular agricultural
journal, that 1 Immediately determined
that 1 would visit one of the notable plow-
ioggers of our town and "do him brown
for the benefit of your subscribers.
The name of my hero, as recorded. in
the town clerks Office, is Bonares Slebbins,
but he is Familiarity designated by his ac-
quaintances as .."Bones," "Neighbor
Bones" "Old Bones" &c. Mr.. Steb-
bins's farm is situated on the side of a pic
turesque elevation known as "Stebbins's
HILL" and slopes rather abruptly TO the
northwest. 1t was first settled by the orig
inal progenitor of the Stebbns family, and
it was here that Bonares first saw the light
of day. lie has never lived elsewhere, and
don't want to. His land is rather cold and
backward in the spring, but it is never af-
fected by drought. When the neighboring
bottom and plain lands are parchtd and
shriveled by the heat, Stebbins' soil is in
exactly the right degree of humidity for
grass and potatoes. The wind perhaps
blows little violently there at times, but
it keeps the air always pure and healthlul,
and in the summer, delightfully."- cool, and
then the view from the premises is unsur-
passed for omprehensiveness and varied
beauty. Mr.. Stebbins can sit Oh his front
doorstep and look down upon a consdera-
BILE portion of two states, and an excellent
assortment of villages, lakes, rivers and
farms. Such prospect must be worth sew
eral hundred dollars 10 farm. The in
spring and elevating influence of such
scenery upon one while hoeing potatoes,
is incalculable; and then the farmer can
discern a storm several hours before it
reaches his neighborEood, which is great
convenience.
1t was in the afternoon Of pretty rough
day in the latter part Of December that 1
yard was occupied by snowbank some
fifteen feet high, and the remaining space
was filled up with farming tools, logs of
wood, pile of old boxes, full assortment
of poultry, a SOW with eight pigs, and two
mddle-aged hogs. AS drove up TO the
door, three noble looking hounds, of fam
lily highly priced by hunters, came out of n
shed and set up furious barking. The
pigs, hens and geese Immediately COINED
in" and all together succeeded in raising
All uproar that so frightened my horse
that he reared up and plunged recklessly
about among the sleds and plows, nearly
upsetting the sleigh, and pretty thorough
ly MASKING a turkey gobbler. 1t isn't
pleasant specializing as to how l should
have come out of the scrape but for coup
lie Of red-ht AIDED boys who came to my
rescue, and kicking and swearing al the
dogs and pigs with vigor that was rather
startling 10 orthodox ears, soon cleared the
yard arb restored order. To my inquiry
for Ms' ftebbins, one OF the boys replied
dad? Wall, Tdunuo, guess les out TO
the barn thar
Leaving my horse tied TO the only hitch
ing post agailable-the wheel Of cart firm
ly frozen into the mud went in search
of the farmer, taking mental notes of the
buildings as l proceeded.
The house stands close TO the road and
is an ancient looking, two story, gambrel
rooted, brick structure to which, at differ
ent periods, as necessity or fancy dictated,
have been added variety of wooden sheds,
lean-tos, back kitchens and milk rooms
with an eye TO convenience rather than
beauty. l didn't go inside and therefore
can't say much about its internal arrange
ment, but presume it is well ventilated
as noticed that in each of several win
dows pane of glass had been removed and
its place filled with an old hat. Few people
are aware that the most admirable ventila
ton may be secured by this simple con-
trivance. Sufficient air will pass through
an old straw, or loose wool hat, or even an
old vest or piece of worn out coat, stuffed
in one square Of window, TO keep the all
of a room pure, yet it will prevent any ap-
preciable draught 1t acts precisely like
the strainer on the nozzle of watering
pot.
The door yard is partly indicated by a
thick hedge OF blackberry, lilac and rose
bushes directly in front OF the house. Thi;
picturesque fence is supplemented fron
the right with few rods of hemlocb
boards and distracted pickets, ornamenteC
with an old shay top, Ross culIivator ant
aspke harrow. The only trees near thu
buildings are about a dozen aged apple
trees in the rear of the house, each of which
is surrounded and supported by thicl
growth of vigorous sprouts and backbc
ny bushes.
The barns, of which there are severa
more than are used, are large, square struc
lures, without cellars, connected and sur
rounded by a variety of sheds and yards
A stranger passing through this region
would naturally be struck with the wild
dlsproportion everywhere TO be seen be
tween the barns and the need of the farms
These supcr1uous barns lead many to con
clude that the farms have deterorated
Such however, is not the case. When thi
town was first settled timber was Sc plent
as to be a nuisance. All sorts Of mean
were used for getting rid of it, one Of tn
most common and efiectual of which wa
to build barns and meeting houses henc
the superabundanee of those structures.
Mr.. Stebbins' barns are carefully yentil
ated, wide cracks being left between III
boards, and where this has been found in
sufficient board has been removed .
free circulation of pure air is thus secured
which preserves the health of the stock
and insures them a vigorous appetite.
Mr.. s., in common with all good fa