Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-06-25
Agricultural.


a Newfane Hill Farm.
There are still few hill farms in Windham
county, that are not in course of preparation
to abandon. Such an one is the farm of
Chester H. Betterly, in Newiane. His place
is situated in the southeast corner Of the
town, ON the high range Of hills adjoining
Marlboro and Enumeration, about one mile
east Of Marlboro pond, and three or four
miles from Williamsyilc The road from
Willamsyille to this farm passes at least four
deserted places All these have been recent
" abandoned, the buildings still remaining,
in whole, or in part. Upon one, the skeleton
of au old barn, stripped Of its covering, its
timbers ready to fall suggests ghostly remin-
iscences Of the past and unpleasant reminders
Of the present There may be kind Of mel
aucholy poetry in these sights, but it is not
of a kind that it will pay to cultivate. The
best interests Of the whole community, that
of the trades aud professions not less than the
farmers', would be promoted by the occupa-
ton aud cultivation of these, and scores Of
other similar places that are found in many
of the towns Of New England. As the farms
support the whole, when the farms fail the
whole fails. This is a principle so well un-
derstood that a statement Of it in any terms
may appear hackneyed; yet it seems to be
forgotten where so many seek employment in
other ayocations that there are no occupants
for so many farms
Passing these deserted places and turning
abruptly to the east near the outlet of Marl-
boro pond, pleasing contrast is found when
we reach the farm of Chester H. Betterly. 1t
is evident at once, that here is farm that
the owner has no intention of abandoning
Everything about the premises indicates that
the farm is conducted by one having his heart
in the work. The neat and substantial APP
pearance of the buildings attracts attention.
There is a very large and convenient barn,
nearly new. A large cellar, extending under
the whole, opens into the yard toward the
south The stables are 30 securely boarded
and planked as not to freeze in winter. A
room convenient to the stalls is furnished
with rat and mouse proof bins for storing
grain and meal Straw and corn fodder are
drawn up by an elevator to the upper scat
folds The COWS are stabbed at night and the
liquid portion of the manure saved by alb
sorbents or by being conducted on to the pile
in the cellar beneath. The fields show the
effect Of the care in saving all fertilizing ma
terial. Last season the farm produced about
60 tons Of hay, besides a considerable quaint
ty of straw and corn fodder.
Mr.. Betterly has in all about A. head of
cattle This summer he is keeping II cows
He has made during the past yeas nearly
2OOO lbs. of butter He has just bought one
Of the Mosely creamers, with which his wife
is delighted. He is building new milk
room, 70 which running water to surround the
cans in the creamer will be conveyed from a
cold spring near the house.
Mr.. Betterly also raises considerable guam
titles Of corn and other grain, last year
about l75 bushels of corn. There is a large
sugar lot on the place and $50 lbs. of sugar
were made last spring, though it was poor
season for maple sugar.
Here are all the sources Of profit that are
usually found on Vermont farms, the dairy,
large stock of growing and fattening cattle,
the poultry, the grain and root crops, the
maple sugar, and the wood and lumber from
the forest, and yet this place differs not very
much from many other hill farms except in
the care that it has received