Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-02

Border Farm.
Among the most enterprising farmers and
stock breeders of that fine farming section
embracing the Vermont and Canadian town
ships around lake Memphremagog must be
named that courteous gentleman and care
full agriculturist, Albert r. Ball, Esq, of
Stanstead, p. q. A recent two hours call
at this place enables us TO give alittle sketch
of his doings and surroundings the present
season.
Mr.. Balls farm aud homestead lies IN the
valley Of the Toinifobea river closely ada
cent TO the three contiguous villages Of Stan
stead Plain aud Rock Island, +. q. aud
Derby Line. Vt. Its extent we omitted to
inquire, but it is, we should Judge, not less
than two hundred acres part Of it in mead
ows along the river, and the remainder a ter
race sloping gradually up to the low hills on
the South Though the soil is not heavy,
but rather OF the character usually described
as a sandy loan, it is naturally fertile, and
productive Of good crops Of grass, both
moving aud pastumge. For grain and hoed
crops it is unsurpassed What we saw of it,
including considerable portion of the
fields and meadows besides the gardens
around the dwelling, was in fine order, neatly
arranged, aud scrupulously clean of weeds
and all foul growth A fine patch Of early
cabbages about an acre, was in a very
healthy and forward condition, aud an equal
area Of onions aud turnips also showed care
| ful tillage while a young orchard composed
of hardy varieties such rs Duchess Of Olden
burgh, Tetofsky, Peach Apple, SCOTS Win
cult branch Of horticulture in this section Of
low winter temperature.
But what particularly interested US was
new barn which Mr.. Ball has Just completed
and its contents Of live stock. This barn
erected to replace one destroyed 10y light
ming several years ago, is in dimensions OF
the ground some fifty by one hundred feet
with about twenty-ieet posts. 1t has
cellar under the whole, with walls three fee
? thick, thoroughly mortared inside and out
This cellar is for the storage of roots AM
manure, and also a piggery in winter. TIL
stable floor above has accommodation 70
about fifteen horses and forty cows, beside
calf aud bull pens, arrangements for breed
ing sows, and other conveniences. \ wal
extends around the whole, next the wall
: with cross passages giving convenient acces
to every portion. These stables, as well a
, the cellar beneath, are thoroughly yentlate,
the air conductors leading upward TO tn
cupola in the center of the roof.
3 The main floor, with bays upon each sid
in the usual manner, is carefully planned
the driveway being reached by a bridge wit
an easy ascent. Pitch-holes aud stairway
are opened at convenient points to the stabl
t a horsepower and power feed-cutters, etc,
place, and, in short about every conyenienC
S TO be found in the most improved structur,
), of the kind. The building is double boarde
e throughout, and will be battened and painte
+ in two shades. The total cost is estimate
}, at three thousand dollars.
t, Mr.. Ball has been widely known for
l. considerable period as a breeder of Jerst
n cattle, but of late has extended his oper
e tons to include Ayrshires and last sprin
1t having effected sale of the principal pa
S of his Jersey herd to the Agricultural Boai
e OF the Province of New Brunswick, viii
extending his purchases of Ayrshire stoc
J. his display is mainly of the latter bree
b, But he has retained three superior import,
s. Jersey cows, remarkably deep and ri,
l. mixers, all of which unfortunately drops
bull calves the past season. Though of Il
n wrong sex for profit 10 the breeder, the
T. young males are so superior both in Inca
= and in actual development that we feel v
It shall do any of our readers who shall desi
d TO improve their herds 10y the infusion
sc Jersey blood favor in mentioning the ia
y that they are for sale at only fifty dolla
81 each. There is no duty on cattle for bree
lie ing purposes, aud they can be easily ia
u warded 10y rail. We understand from fari
Is ers of the vicinity that there is now
rs large number of half and three-quarter bloC
a COWS of this blood about Stanstead, Al
y that without exception they have proved
& the highest worth for the dairy, not only
'e the quality, but in the abundant flow of the
Ie milk. Mr.. Balls Jerseys are OF the large
d size, not smaller, we noticed than the ave
y age Of the Ayrshires in the stalls best,
N them. They are all registered in the Amei
is can herd.book Besides the three bull calv
It mentioned, Mr.. Ball has one yearling al
d, one o-year-Old Jersey bull, and it is notah
e that the males of this family, while perfect
e. efficient rs stock-getters, do not participa
lie in the savage character usually attributed
a. males OF this breed, but are gentle and easi
h handled. Taken altogether, We believe tn
20 Mr.. Balls Jerseys are Of very superi
g stock, and we trust he may, by better Luz
y in breeding heifers, be able TO rapidly
S, crease their number. The tempting of
le Of the New Brunswick government whit
IS so reduced his herd, was doubtless much
st the advantage Of that province, but equal
a 10 the detriment of the neighborhood fro
" which they were taken.
lie Mr. Balls Ayrshire herd OF some fifte
s. mixers is well worth long journey TO Wis
I'd They have been selected with great care Al
lie judgment, and fully justify at the pail
M that is claimed for this remarkable brec
IS built up wi,hin the present century, fro
ut the common cows Of Scotch country, wi
very little infusion OF other blood, but main
ly through careful selection and feeding, as {
IT. tailed in the articles recently published
OF thesubject in these columns. We were pr
sc ent at milkingtime, and are able, thereto
of 10 substantiate by actual sight the fine mi
al ing qualities of these cows, as well as OF I
'e, Jerseys OF which we have spoken. Til
OF are all registered thoroughbreds, aud ma