Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-21
Bodwell.s stock Farm.

Ii cd wells Stock Farm.
We have had occasion previously for speaking
OF the farm purchased a year or two ago Of the
Swanton heirs BY Mr. j. X. Bodwel Of this city,
and of the improvements in progress for making
it one of the finest stock farms in the State. This
farm formerly the Merrick homestead, embraces
one hundred acres or more of excellent land, which
has been allowed to "run out" as the farmers
saw for want of proper care and management.
1t is located on the ridge of land to the right
of the street leading to West Gardiner, and on the
west side of Middle street. one OF the most slightly
and desirable locations possible. atfording de-
lightful view of the country, west and south, with
the city, river and highlands of Chelsea to the north
and east. When purchased by Mr.. Bodwell there
was one large barn on the premises together with
the old ia, m house and other ordinary out build
ings During the past season another spacious barn
has been erected and finished up with all the modern
improvements, without regard to expense and the
other buildings have received q due share of at
tention in the way of repairs, sc. There IS one
field of about fifty acres upon which the hay max
ers are at work and the crop will average at
the least two tons to the acre thus yielding more
than one hundred tons of the best hay ever har-
| vested on the same ground that five or six year;
produced only about twenty tons Of ordinary quail
ity. This effect which some might call magical
but which in fact has no quality of magic about it,
was bio ought about by an int lligent and common
sense system of drainage and enrichment of the
soil; and The work was not done "at the halves
either; but thoroughly and systematically. In
stead of exhausting the soil by the product ion of
two or three crops of potatoes, corn and grain be-
fore seeding down, Mr.. Bodwell plowed in lib
eral amount of dressing in autumn aud at once
seeded with heards grass; and in the spring. before
| the snow was Oft the ground, gave another good
sprinkling OF clover seed. The effect OF this wise
| policy may now be seen in the waving grass that
| the most powerful machine finds difficulty in cut
| ting, and in the mammoth "winrows" such as the
enterp,ising hay maker delights to grapple with.
The barns are now nearly flied to the gables with
| fragrant hay secured in perfect condition; and a
| few more days of pleasant weather and the entire
crop will be housed. We have not space in this
article 10 speak particularly of the stock now on
the farm Consisting of heards of full booded Jer
seys, Devons, Durhams, &c, which together with
horses, sheep, pigs fowls &C., are richly deserv
| ing of extended mott ice. Mr.. Warren II. Moores
has charge of the establishment, and is familiar
| ity with his formidable as well as more gentle an
| imals demonstrates what the law Of kindness will
accomplish in gaining control even over the brute
creation. To see him fondle his pet litter OF nu-
merous pigs, lifting them by the ears or hind legs
without exc iting a single squeal, will go lar
| towards reconciling one to whatever disappont-
ment may be attached to the failure Of witnessing
Barnum's Centennial Show. The progress thus
| far made by Mr.. Bodwel in developing his plans
and purposes, is a sufficient guarantee of the most
perfect success of his enterprise. Our city, county
and State may share largely in those benefits which
cannot fail Of rewarding our philsnthropic fellow
citizen for all his labors and expenditures in dem
onstrating the correctness Of his theory and prac-
tice.