Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-03-23
A ia TARMEB's VACATION by Col; GEORGE E. WAR

tllS popular periodical,
A FARMERS VACATION, by Col. GEoRaE L. WAR
ING, Jr. Boston James r. 0sgood & Co.
In all respects this is n sumptuous, inviting
book. Written by one of the most cultured,
scientific and observing of our agricultur-
lists, describing journey which he made in
August and September of 1873 through the
Channel Islands, the northern provinces of
France and portions of tho Netherlands
One very important feature of the work is
that it records the observations and studies
of man who saw just those things in which
an agriculturist would be interested. Not
the cathedrals, art galleries, socie ty and his
tory of the cities and countries visited, other
pens have written of all these things: he
gave himself to careful study of the more
important features of the agricultural occu-
pations, resources and successes of tho
places visited. And here let us say that the
mechanical portion of this work is luxurious;
heavy-toned paper, clear type, and illustra-
tions on almost every page. in fact many
pages have as many as two or three cuts, all
of them very fine, so that with Col. Warnings
facile pen and the engraver's art we get un-
usually clear ideas of the objects described
and see things with his own eyes. The first
chapter recounts his travels in the Neither
lands, the places visited the customs of the
people, etc.. the second chapter Is entitled
"Droogmakerij," or Drainage in which the
astonishing successes of Dutch draining, es-
pecially the Haarem lake and lesser bodies
of water are fully described, and it is
story of transcendent interest. We hardly
know which most to admire, the patience
and skill of these people in executing these
great works, or their faith in the practical
utility of their system of drainage, for it is
wonderful in tho comprehensivenes of its
plan, in the thoroughness of its execution,
and the remunerativo results (which follow.
We sec that with all our boosted Yankee
shrewdness and knowledge we have not yet
learned the alphabet of the art of drainage.
The important part which the windmill
plays rs one of the forces used to pump the
water fran the lakes, shows how widely this
potent agency in nature now running
loose" might be utilized here in Vermont to
run our churns, grindstones, wood saws,
corn shelters, hay cutters, etc.
Then comes chapter on Dutch Farming
giving II minute and accurate account of
their methods, implements etc., in great de-
tail, never allowing the readers interest TO
flag for moment, and illustrated fully as
need be; especially interesting is that por-
tion of the chapter which pertains to their
dairy products and methods. 1t almost
seems incredible to US how those phlegmatic
oh aar tba al,
whole land seems a hive of industry, and
the people are "well of, " happy and content
cd and withal play well their part in the
worlds history.
Thence Mr.. Waring took turn through
northern France, especially Normandy and
Brittany, those old historic fields of tho land
of Charlemagne. He gives bit of sight-see-
ing in the French capital and the above
named provinces, details the customs of this
rural people, their modes of dress. lie and
describes their architecture. all
finely illustrated; in word, he makes us
see the land with our own through his eyes.
We have not seen book of foreign travel
for many year with a chapter of more f;ls-
cinating interest than this ono entitled the
"Bight of la Manche;" in it Col. Warnings
rare descriptive powers seem to culninate,
and the ongraver's art has left nothing to be
desired. Thence across tho narrow channel
he goes into "Old Jersey" whose varied and
charming scenery lac sees and describes,
with his usual accuracy, and keen observa-
ton ofthe customs and metheds of the lie of
the people. Their agricultural implements
to our eye seem antiquated and cumbersome,
but they seem to get along well and evokes 4.
surprising results from the soil by means of
them. A Jersey farm of 20 acres would be
divided as follows: hay and pasture, 10 acres,
turnlps ., mangolds |, parsnips |, carrots 1,
potatoes 2, wheat 81, and will keep two
horses, SIX cows, six heilers. three pigs.
What Yankee can beat that Col. Waring
dwells with rare pleasure on their old
haunts, the original home of the Jersey cat
Ito of which he is so fond and is so celebrat-
cd breeder. Then follows chapter en-
titled "Sark" and Guernsey" describing
scenes adjacent with "Postcriptum." Al
together il is rare book, fascinating in
style and illustration; charming rs book
of travels from its brilliant descriptive style;
and full Of "facts and figures" tor one inter-
ested in the agricultural resources, methods,
progress and powers Of his own and for
eign lands. Another thing for which we
prize the book is its fertility in suggestion
to the practical ruralist. He may not wish
to adopt these foreign methods of farming,
but he viii have so many valuable methods,
experiments, etc, suggested, that he
cannot read the book without profit. and we
hope il will go into many private aud
nu,lie Nhrnt.ias In Varn,ont