Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-12-08
Vermont Farms.

Mr. Cheever, OF the Ncic England Farmer,
records his last trip among our Vermont
farms, in his paper of the 9th. This trip was
to the region about burlington, with the
beauty Of which he was greatly struck. lie
says, speaking of the view from the Agri-
cultural College"
Dr. Thayer, who has travelled extensively,
both at home and abroad, pronounccs it unsur-
passed hy any spot on the globe Looking west,
the eye passes the city, with It's straight ave
nues and line public and private buildings, sur
rounded by proiu-ion Of shade and ornamental
trees. Across the Lake, which is here ten miles in
width, the Adirondacks lift their blue or snow
capped peaks to the height Of more than five thou
sand feet above the water
Eastward lies broad expanse Of fertile farm
ing land, bounded farther on by some OF the loft
lest Of the Green Mountains On the north may
be seen the WinoosId River formerly called
Onion, and the beautiful village Of Winoosk with
It's large and hourishing factories, fine blocks Of
stores and elegant private residences.
" The highest ground in this city is occupied by
the several buildings comprising the University
Of Vermont founded in 1891, and endowed b, the
state with twcnty-nine thousand acres Of land
yielding an annual revenue OF 50, 800 The corner
stone of ono Of the main buildings of the univer-
sity was laid by La fayette while he was visiting
this country in 1921
" Vemonts proportion Of the Congressional APP
preparation Tor instruction in agriculture and the
mechanic arts is controlled by this institution,
but without its having, as yet, made very great
show in return for the funds received"
Mr.. Cheever visited the farm of l.. s.
Drew, and says
Mr.. Drew prides himself upon owning stallion.
a bull, aud buck which he would not exchange
for any similar animals in the state His three
yoan-od -" Drew took the first premium in his
class at the state fair at Rutland the present sea
son lie was purchased last fall ut the sale Of the
Vermont Horse Breeding Company, and is one Of
the most promising colts ever sired by Waikiki,
which cost the company $1,000, and to whose
death more than anything else may be attributed
the breaking up Of the enterprise. have seen a
great many good horses, and some very valuable
and very fast ones but never saw one which
filled the eyes so completely in every respect as
this young Drew" 1t is beyond my power to
conceive OF man so humble that he would not
feel q little proud when holding the ribbons over
such an animal as this whether hitched TO the car
riasc or the moving machine. Mr., Drew had
several other valuable horses, but | only gave
them a casual notice as left for the pastures to
see the Ayrshires and Mcrlnos
The herd of twenty-four Ayrshire cows is
headed by "Athol, a bull purchased OF Mr. Alb
bolt, Of Montreal and a worthy grandson of one OF
the iirst prize winners Mt the cattle show Of the
! Highland Agricultural Society Scotland
As a sheep breeder, Mr. Drew has been pecu-
liarly successful, his stock being in good demand
| Tor supplying the export trade TO California His
Hook numbers at the present time about seventy.
| Last year he sold thirty for 500, To go to
California. Mr.. Drew is one OF that class some
times called fancy farmers" and he certainly
has fancy farm and some stock that would suit
the fancy Of almost any farmer, however strongly
he might be preiudicod against farmers bearing
this significant appelaton. In deep ravine
within few yards from the farm barns, which,
by the way, are models Of nea,ness and con-
yonience, is one of the most picturesque little
ponds to be found upon any farm, and 50 Wild
that even the wild ducks come and quarter here
with the domestic birds reared on the place"
Speaking of DIR. Thayer's garden of four
acres, in Burlington, he says
Nor is eontentment the only lesson farmers
might learn from the doctors for most of them
especially those who practice in country towns
and have little farms orr gardens Of their own-are
usually among the best farmers in town They
have chance 10 observe the practices OF the best
farmers, have a good education to begin with,
and what farming they do is done TO advantage
DIR Thayer has about -four acres Of good land right
in the heart Of the city, and it is probably true
that not one farmer In twenty through the state
has rs valuable garden AS | found here App
pies, pears plums, and all the smaller fruits are
abundant, both for home use and to give to
friends orsck patients. Corn, potatoes, squashes
cabbages and all the little iNings that help make
up 50 many wholesome meals for family are
also found here in profusion, with ample room
left for the Jersey COW, the Berkshire pigs, and
the numerous varieties Of domestic fowls which
may be counted by the hundred"