Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-05-28
Some Vermont Farms.

A person riding through Vermont on
either of the lines of railroad gets but a
very poor idea of the value and excellence
of Vermont farms. The same is true in
a less degree Of those riding through the
route on the "main roads" But going
through by-ways and over hill roads one
comes often on farms of unlooked-for ex-
cellencc and inspected beauty. We
found several such spots last week while
going through the southern part of Wind
sor county. In West Windsor, where
from what we had before seen of it in the
eastern part-wo expected only rugged
hills. we found in the western part large
meadows of unsurpassed beauty and fer
tility. Reading and Weatherlield. back
over the mountain from the Connecticut,
have many rich farms which show excel
lent natural soil, and equally excellent
handling. In Springfield, on the Connect
cut river, on the hills between the Connec
ticut and the village. land in the valleys be-
tween them, are farms which can hardly
he eXcelled. One of these farms, skirting
the slope of the hills, and reaching down
to the river, is that of James r. Walker,
Esq, who believes in good farms and good
farming, in good tools and good buildings,
good stock and good keeping, and practices
his belief Mr.. Walker cultivates about
thirty-tive acres breaking up on an aver
age seven or eight acres yearly, planting
corn and potatoes, seeding the next year
with crop of oats. Last year he raised
on seven and one-half acres one thousand
bushels of ears Of corn. His yield of oats
has reached eighty bushels per acre. He
estimates the value of corn stalks to be
equal to good hay,-would rather have
them than second quality hay, and he
winters his cattle chiefly on them. He
usually husks his corn Cutting it early)
in the field and then setting the stalks
together in large stocks, well capped, lets
them remain several weeks, getting well
dried off, and will then bear putting into
the NOV without moulding. In addition
to the manure made on the farm which is
all scrupulously saved, he buys all the
ashes he can get handily-and had at the
time of our visit one hundred and fifty
bushels on hand For potatoes and corn
he puts the ashes on the hill any time
after planting before they come up. lie
has tried putting .them in the hill, and
sees no difference in the result, and in the
way he practices the work can be done
after the hurry of planting is over. Ashes
he considers the cheapest fertilizer he can
buy. His barns, which are we'll arranged
and warm, have good cellars under each,
and he attaches great importance 10 the
keeping of the manure under cover. In
these are kept twelve cattle, one hundred
and twenty-five sheep and four horses.
The COWS are butter makers, and his dairy
chiefly winter ibis sheep raise early lambs,
which he fattens for market.
Another pleasant feature of the place is
the quantity of fruit trees about on it,-no
set in orchards, but around where there is
IL spot Of what would otherwise be waste
land, not easily cultivated, he sets out an
apple tree. He has perhaps in one spot
an eighth Of an acre in orchard, and this
he said had paid the interest of $500 per
annum on an average since they had come
into bearing. While the meadow land is
dry and early, the hill side is naturally
springy and wet Here he has finished
system of under-drains of tile, and now
the soil is dry, easily worked and will hold
ont longer than the meadow. He is now
contemplating the taking up and fitting in
in the same manner ten acres more from
his pasture above.
From such II description one would
naturally expect a pleasant home. About
the house, trees and shrubs; within, books,
papers, flowers, music, as well as the well
ordered kitchen and milk room, the
handy, well filled woodshed, all combine
to make the cheerful, pleasant home. And
while we hear some Jeremiahs la
menting the poverty and ignorance Of
our Vermont farmers, there are lots of
just such homes, and farms, and farmers
in Vermont as this of Mr.. Walkers, and
they are growing more rather than fewer.