Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-06-14

Inc migratory utlil iicH arc puny J"7t
now in preparing 10 start Tor their sum-
mer homes in the Sierras. Their cows
have all had calves and butchers have
made away with them for veal. These
migratory dairymen, though the name we
have applied to them does not indicate II,
are the most prosperous Of California
dairymcn Their winter homes are To-
Gated IN the foothills at about the altitude
of Folsom, Latrobe, Shingle SprinSs,Jack-
son and Orovillc, and their summer
homes, ard really active dairy farms, are
high up on the summit OF the Slcrras, on
the elevated plains watercd by living
springs, gushing out OF the surrounding
elevations in the secluded wales and Gull
chcS, and on the shores OF the numerous
lakes that abound in those regions. Their
ioot-hill homes are the real homes oi the
family. Here are their comfortable lam
iy residences, nestled in some of the
numerous cosy and picturesque localities
SO frequent in these sections. The first
experiments in this new enterprise were
made but a few years since. These eN-
periments proved so successful and profit
able that they were followed up by the
enterprising pioneers in the business. and
others followed suit, until to-day the mi
gratory daires OF the foothills and Sierra
SUBMITS are not only numerous but eN-
tensive, and their owners are among the
most successful and wealthy dairymen in
the State. Tie business is conducted
about rs follows: The cows have their
calves from February TO the middle OF
April. Such of the heiier calves As are
desirable on account OF their promising
dairy qualities to. keep, are raised, all
others are turned of for veal. From the
time the cows begin to come i'll, till about
the lst to the 18th OF May. some Of the
dairymen make butter while some make
cheese. At about this time, all things be-
ing in readiness, the dairy. including
cows, herders, mixers. butter makers
and all the necessary dairy tools and iur-
niture are started for the mountains. The
owner and such of his family as intend to
spend the summer with the dairy accom-
pany them. Arrived at the place OF des-
tiuation, the spring is Just opening and
the grasses are tender and luXuriant. and
in great variety. Redclover, white clover
and various California wild clovers, also
nearly all the natural grasses of recogniz-
ed value as forage plants, suchas timothy,
red-top, wild rye grass, orchard grass,
bunch grass, are found in great abund
ance. Water for stock is plentiful every
where and of the best quality. The
weather is cool and delightful and the
climate healthy and invigorating. The
summer residence and buiter-house is put
in order, and the business Of the season is
commenced at once in earnest. With
such feed and such water and in such Il
climate, the Weld of milk comes up 10
the utmost capacity OF the cows, the cream
rises rapidly and fully and the butter
comes readily, and is OF the very best
| quality in every respect. The location is
most fortunate one, not only naturally
but in 4 business point lof view. Being
on the divide between the mining locali-
ties of Nevada and California, the very
best market Tor butter is at hand on either
side.
The bulk OF the butter is generally sold
each week as il is made ior immediate
| use But such As is not demanded lor
use in this manner is readily contracted
and packed for winter consumption. The
season lasts from May To November,
when the campaign closes. and the party
returns to the foothills and goes into
winter quarters. The loot hill home is
made the main base OF supplies and oper-
ations. And these homes generally show
| the result of thrifty enterprise and frugal
prosperity. The cows are dried up when
brought from the mountains in the fall.
and are kept upon the dry feed Of the
meadows and stubble till the rains set in,
when they all are fed with hay till the
early grasses make their appearance after
the first rain. These grasses generally
help very materially in winterlnS the
cows and bringing them ont in fine con-
dtion for the next summer campaign in
the mountains. We have thus given an
outline OF one of the many successful IN
dustrie5 of the interior oi this State, which
is prosecuted where but a few years since.
but little inviting Tor a home or u business
was supposed to exist. Each year deyel-
ops new values ior the ioot-hllls and
mountainous regions of the state, and the
time is not far distant when these sections
will he among the most desirable local.
ties for residences and business.