The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1875-11-02
A visitso Secretary Chandicr's
farms
of the petrolt Post.

I
farms
Correspondence Of the Detroit Post
MASON, October %, 1875.
Yesterday the members Of the Farm
ers' Club and grangers OF this city, with
several invited guests, enjoyed n de-
lightful excursion to Secretary Chand-
ler's large farm, which lies four miles
north Of Lansing, where they met the
Hon. X. Il. Trowbridge and family,
who had charge OF the farm, and sew
eral other leading agricultnrists aud
their families from Clinton and Living
ston counties and the city OF Lansing
and vicinity. The railroad company
provided special car for the Mason
delegations and issued half fare tickets
More than 175 persons participated ia
the festivities of this OCCASION, and il
is safe to say, judging from appearan-
ces. that every person present had
happy time.
IL was n regular farmers visit, in
which eyey one took a part, without
any reserve or formality to detract
from the fun. Your correspondent Gu
| joyed himself so well that he could not
find time TO devote to obtaining any of
the dry statistical and practical infor-
nation that he expected to gather when
he started out in tho morning, but spent
the time in rambling around with the
ethers from one to the other OF his i'm
mense 3, 3,200-acre farm, reveling in the
delights OF q glorious October day and
enjoying the intelligent conversation
OF our farmer friends, which embraced
a great deal OF valuable information
and interesting speculation in regard
to the best methods OF reclaiming
marsh land, breeding horses, cattle,
sheep and hogs, and such other sub
jects as surrounding objects suggested.
In the forenoon most OF the gentle
men, under the leadership Of Mr..
Trowbridge, took long stroll on that
part Of the "big marsh" that lies south
west Of the main farmhouse. Here
was part OF the marsh that had been
sown with grass seed the year before.
The seed had rooted well in some por-
tions, and a pretty stiff sod had already
formed.
In another place one OF the hired
men with a three-horse team and q
heavy drag having sharp, kuife-blade
like teeth was cutting up the surface
sod of the marsh by going first one
way and then at right angles, in this
way preparing il for grass seed. Still
farther from the house, at nearly one
corner Of the farm, were several flne-
looking two and three-year old colts,
sired by Mr. Chandlers famous Per-
cheron stallion. They had access only
to the marsh and n stack OF marsh hay
yet looked as plump aud as well-fed as
IL tame hay and oats had been their
food. Near by were feeding flock OF
fine-looking Shropshire lambs, whose
wool commands as high price az the
ordinary fine wool breed.
After the forenoon's long ramble OF
nearly five miles the bountiful dinner
provided by the ladies on tables erect
ed under the noble oaks that surround
ed Mr.. Trowbridge's homo was hearth
ly appreciated. There was evidence
there that there had been q great
slaughter among the fowl creation, and
also that many good cooks had been
busy preparing for this occasion.
The afternoon was speat by most in
visiting the large and well-arranged
stock barn apd si,Asi~ .i-~. go situated
ABOUT hall mile northeast OF the
main house, which have heretofore
been fully described in your columns.
Mark Anthony, whose name is famil-
lar to most Of the horse breeders of the
State, is looking well, and appeared
glad to receive the attention of SO many
distinguished visitors.
On the large hay scales near this barn
the company amused themselves about
half an hour in learning their indiyidu-
al and collective corporosity. Seventy
two OF the gentlemen weighed III 900
pounds IN average of 155 ponnds each.
The heaviest man-Dr. w. w. Root
weighed 266; the lightest-James Wi
lsy-l3S. Thirty-eight ladies weighed
5, 152 pounds, an average Of 135. The
heaviest lady-Mrs. j. q. Thompson =
would not be weighed alone, but by a
piece OF strategy in deducting the
weights OF several other ladies who
were on the scales with her IL was found
that she weighed about 2lS. The light
est lady was Mrs. Elisha Rowe-96
pounds.
Some curiously inclined fellow dis
covered that over one-half of the men
present did not use tobacco in any
form.
In field Hear the stock barn were
seven or eight yearling colts that elicit
ed considerable admiration from the
visitors.
A long tramp to n distant part Of the
marsh where the beneficial effects of
plowing and seeding were to be seen
was INDUCED in by n portion of the
gentlemen during the afternoon. The
fact that all of this large tract of marsh
land, consisting of 2, 300 arcres, can be
made to produce large crops of tame
hay and roots, and that it will soon
afford good pasture, seems to be well
proved. The thorough system of drain
ing has resulted in converting what
was few years ago almost an impass-
able swamp, n large portion OF which
stood constantly under water, into dry
land, over all OF which one can walk
with thin shoes without danger of damp
feet.
Mr.. Chandler's idea is to convert this
into a large dairy farm, having
cheese factory and butter-making es-
tablishment of its own. Under the
skillful management Of Mr.. Trow-
bridge, Mr. Chandler's theories are rap
idly being converted in prac0gal
facts.
The closing hours Of the afternoon
found tired, yet very cheerful crowd
scattered through Mr.. Trowbridge's
grounds adjoining the house, amusing
themselves in various ways while wait
ing for the train that was to carry them
home. The younger and more vigor-
Gus of the assembly left the others TO
their visiting, while they levied on
liberal supply of old horse-shoes found
on the premises and started several
games OF quoits. In this and other
ways they enjoyed themselves till the
welcome sound OF the whistle was
heard warning them that it was time to
so home. kIr.
/ ,. ...x xv.e.