The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-07-25

A SCIENTIFIC FARMER.-How a JER-
sEY AGRIoULTURIsT MAKES HIS PLACE
PAY.-A Newton dispatch to the New
York Times says: The nearest approach
to scientific farming in Sussex county is
on the Red Gate Farm, owned by the
Hon. Henry G. Kelsey. The farm is on
the Springdale road, near Newton, and
was purchased by Mr.. Kelsey some 10
years ago. AT that time, except for its
superior location, there was nothing to
distinguish this from other farms adj
iacent. One Of the first acts of Mr.. Kel.
sey was to rebuild all the fences. Solid
walls were erected with the stone gather
ed from the fields. When this failed,
plain board fences were constructed. Each
field had a highframed gate painted red.
The fences were whitewashed, the red
gates and white panels making an agree
able contrast. Then began a system of
fertilizing which, to the average mind,
look like extravaganza. New barns were
built, and a village of outhouses soon
adorn the place. Passers-by drew up to
take good look at the improvements.
1t was the almost universal verdict that
the proprietor would never see his money
again. But MIR. Kelsey went right on
with his expenditures. From great b i'll
nearly mile back, water was brought in
pipes to every field. Blooded calves,
lambs and hogs began to arrive, carefully
selected by Mr.. Kelsey after thorough
course of reading to determine the best
breeds. Even the fowls of the yard were
selected by his forethought. Though but
seldom on the farm in person, his active
mind planned everything, and nothing
was left TO "run itself. Patrick De-
Vaney, an industrious farmer, was en-
gagged, and he has the general supervision
of the place for the last nine years, prov
ing a most faithful and prudent manager,
assigning to each field its due care and
making it yield to the general prosperity.
The smooth fields lying along the
Springdale road-the prettiest natural
drive in New Jcrsey-are either devoted
to grass, potatoes, or corn, the manager
alternating the crops, and yearly cultiva-
ting the soil with the utmost thorough
ness and with a liberal expenditure of
money for fertilizers. Wood ashes mixed
with plaster are now principally used, in
addition to the immense amount of stable
mannres obtained from the barnyards
Nothing is allowed to be wasted, and a
use is found for everything. About 30
COWS are kept, chiefly Jerseys. MIR. KEEL
sey maintains his faith in making butter
rather than selling milk. Some $4,000
worth of butter was sold last year. and a
large number of fine calves are being |
raised, valued at from $4,000 to ~, 200. /
About 81 900 worth additional have been
sold. From the sale of lambs So, 600 was |
realized, and 81 800 to 1000 from hogs, |
poultry, &c. Potatoes bringing in ~, 900
have been sold the past year. Glover has |
been the favorte grass crop this year,
1876 tons of hay having been gathered and
an immense amount of grain. The most
remarkable figures are shown in the case
of the Jersey bull calf Lord Darlington,
which Mr.. Kelsey purchased in New Yofk
10 months ago, when he was only two
days old, for $3.50. From this calf SER
vice has been obtained estimated at $2, 000
and now he has just been sold to Mr. w.
A. Herrick, of Worcester, Mass, for the
sum of $4,000. Lord Darlington was
shipped in huge cage to his new home
this morning by fast express. lie is
very handsome animal, and has a famous
career before him. 1t is said that Mr..
Kelsey already regrets parting with him,
considering him the finest animal he had
on the place. Thus it will be seen that
with some money and some brains the
young farmer can do better here in old
Sussex than by emigrating TO the West.
Here there is a ready market near at
hand for all farm products, and careful
attention TO the soil will make it yield I
profitable crops more surely and speedily /
than the unbroken lands in the far West +
with all the uncertainties of seasons and I
markets to be taken into account.