The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17
From the Corning Adams county. Iowa) Ur-
ion.
An Iowa Farm-What Il Alre9dy
ON the Farm and What Is to
be Place There.

be Place There.
On invitation of Mr.. and Mrs. o. F.
Parsons, the writer of this, together
with the better half, took occasion 10
pay q visit to what we believe to be the
model farm of Iowa. Or II least it will
he the model farm as soon ~ improve
ments, already contemplated, are carried
into effect.
The farm proper is located about two
milea north of Quincy, on the middle
Nodsway, and Is situated mainly on
what is known a. the second bottom; this
kind of land is always known as the
best in Iowa. The first thing that na-
Iurally attracted our attention, was
THE EoUsE,
which is three stories high, and, A. has
come under our observation, the best
built one in Adams county. The FIRST
story ia Of stone. quarried on the farm,
and is used as a dining room and cellar.
Adjoining the dining room is a spacious
kitrhen, pantry and two bed rooms and
q wood shed. Between the kitchen and
dining room is hall and stair way lead
to the second story. The second story is
spd ~ a parlor, bed rooms and sitting
room, so arranged that they can all be
thrown into one room, or nearly so. when
required. The third story is occupied
~ sleeping rooms. There are really two
fronts to the houae, which are set off in
admirable good taste with verandas-
The residence of Mr.. Parsons is undoubt-
eily the best furnished one in south
western Iowa. Besides being richly
furnished AZ far as carpets, chairs and
aofas 60 10 make up desirable home.
choice paintings and statuary adorn the
walls. These latter are seldom found in
the homes Of Iowa farmers.
THE FARM
embraces . tract of one thousand acres
including one hundred acres of timber.
Underlying a large portion of the land,
coal is known TO exist, but ia not mined.
Close by the river bank . stone quarry
has already been opened. that furnishes
some of the bess rock seen in the west; it
resembles she Winterset stone more than
any we have seen in Adams county. The
timber is of the usual class found in
Iowa, and there is plenty of it to always
supply the wants of the farm.
On the farm are FIVE tenement houses,
all apparently in good order and each
one occupied. II is the intention Of the
proprietor to add three more honses,
shortly. the line fences will soon be all
Of pine lumber with cedar posts. The
barns and other out buildings, on the
home farm, are all built in a substantial
manner and neatly painted. Among
these buildings we noticed what every
farm shonld have, q good tool house,
full of tools. Al present there are sev-
enteen hundred apple trees. in q thrifty
condition, q few of them bearing. Grape
vines, cherry trees and all classes of
small fruit have received the attention
they deserve. We noticed. also, that
hedges had been set out and were look
ing thrifty.
PROSPECTIVE IMPROVEMENTS.
Among the improvement contemplat-
ed, that will be carried out this year. is
the moving of fences on the road, in
front Of the home, so that the road will
be one hundred feet wide, for the dis
itance of one mile. On either side will
be planted trees at regular intervals,
throughout the entire distance. This
will make in a few years one of the fin
est drives in the country.
The new buildings contemplated are \
series of barns. The frst one will be one
hundred and sixty feet long by thirty
two wide. Il will be a "bank barn" the
basement will be of stone, the walls Of
which are TO be twentY-six feet high on
the lower side.
Commencing then at the lower corner
a hog house ia to run at right angles. q
distance of one hundred and fifty feet
Il will be two stories high; the upper
story to be used "a a corn crib. The hog
house is TO be foored and sufficient ar
rangements made for light and air.
At the corner again, will be erected .
cattle barn, running at right angles, .
distance of one hundred and sixty feet.
This is to be used for feeding cattle, at
the upper corner ofth cattle barn, will
be built barn for cows, this will be one
hundred and fifty feet long, two stories
high. Il will be seen that this series OF
barns form perfect square. leaving a
good. protected yard l6Ox150 feet, a very
handy thing for stock to "sun in" and
be protected from the weather.
Taking the Parsons farm, all over, we
think there is not its superior, il there i.
it's equal, in the State.
Nothing preventing. at some future
time, we will cali on Mr.. and Mrs. Par.
sons, and tell our readers more about the
place.