The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-07-28
Our 0liu.
Model Pennsylvania Farms.

Lloyd, and VIM. ii. DeCOurcy, OF Mary
land, Judge Jeremiah S. Black, Chauncey
Small, and George Small, of York, Pa,
paid a visit, the latter part of June, to the
beautiful estate of Col. James Young, of
Dauphin county, Pa, near Middletown.
The Lancaster county Neoo Era had rep
resentative in the party, who furnished to
that paper an account of the visit, which
Mr.. DeCourcy has published in the Centre
vile, Md Observer, from which we condense
the following:-We had long heard of Col.
Young's farms, his herd of Attorneys and
JERSEYS, his advanced method of farming
and the great success that has accompanied
all his agricultural enterprises, and were
anxious to see for ourselves what had been
done and how it was done.
Our host for the day was in waiting,
and after light lunch to dull the appetite
awakened by the ride, we were soon COM
fortably seated behind spanking pair of
siandsome bays and on our road to Mr.
Young's last purchase, "Sunset." j" Our
way, however, carried US by Locust
Grove" another farm purchased about ten
years ago. Ten years ago a good many
acres on this place were swamp, incapable
of producing crops and uncultlvatable.
Under-drains have done their work, how
ever. and done it well, and to-day there is
standing on that once swampy field such a
crop of growing wheat as We have not seen
surpassed in many years. Although there
is not natural spring or stream on the
place, little creek flows through it, the
result of the numerous drains conveying
the surplus water to it from all quarters.
Ten minutes more, during which we had
been ascending by gradual slope, found
us at ''Sunset," and few minutes after
on the observatory erected by the owner on
the top of the main farm house. Descrlb-
ing scenery is not our forte, and we shall
not attempt it here We emust be permitted
to say, however, that we have travelled
far and seen many scenes Of subhmity
and grandeur, but never anything to eX-
cecd the wondrous beauty that met our
gaze on that lovely summer day from the
| summit Of ''Sunset" Hills and mountain
chains bounded the view some fifty miles
away. Almost at our feet stretched far
away, lay the placid waters Of the Susque-
hanna, dotted with its emerald islands.
| On its banks, nestled ancient Middletown.
The railway wound along in the distance,
and the rapidly moving train almost seemed
to stand still. On the sluggish canal the
slow-moving boats crept at snaifs pace.
The eye roamed over portions Of Dauphin,
Lancaster, York, Berks, Perry, Cumber-
land and Lebanon counties, while fresh
scenes and new beauties came in sight at
every turn Far away on every hand was
spread a vast amphitheatre, where long
reaches of grain and grass fields were sway
| inc to and fro in the passing morning
! breezes. But there is much more ground
to be gone over, and we must away to
Grand View on the opposite side of the
town. We encounter the same evidence
! of care, order and thrift wherever we 90
| The neat buildings, the whitewashed fences,
| the closely mown lawn, the well kept garden,
! the Gell-cared for fruit orchard and the
universal order went to show that the same
master spirit prevailed everywhere, and
! that no nook or corner of this vast domain
was neglected at the expense of any other.
Here again the beauty of that rare land
scape was revealed to US. From the sum-
NIT of the farm house our view was almost
as extended as from the lofty ground at
Sunset" Visitors are divided as to the
respective beauties Of the two situations
| 1t is hard to decide between them; the
one is a gem, the other jewel. But we
have no room to describe each farm sepa-
rately, and we will hurry on to Coax Lane" :"
! the homestead farm, where we found dinner
and a hearty welcome from Mrs. Miller,
! Col. Youngs sister, awaiting us.
At Oak Lane is kept that splendid herd
Of cattle to which the owner has given so
much attention and which are at once his
boast and pride. Here we found fifty-fve
milk COWS, all of the choicest strains, many
of them importations, while the rest were
| grown by their present owner. We have
seen many choice herd, but never one
like this. High breeding was seen in every
animal Their gracefully shaped heads,
handsome bodies and fine proportions were
sight to see. There they stood in their
stalls, row after row, a sight not soon to be
forgotten. Watchful attendants cared for
their wants and looked to their cleanliness.
Standing in straw up to their knees, some
lying half buried in it, their coats were as
fine and as glossy as lady's sealskin coat
You might have rubbed a white handker-
chief over them without soiing it. Their
stalls were so arranged that all filth was at
once carried off and the cattle left clean
and sweet In addition to the milking
COWS there were also eighteen head of
young stock, from the calf few days old
to the graceful heifer verging into cow
hood There, too, stood the sires, three
in number, worthy of the admiration they
receive from all who see them. What
these cattle have cost their owner we do not
know, but seventy odd cattle, worth from
a hundred to thousand dollars each, are
in themselves a respectable fortune. What
does the owner do with them the reader
may ask. We will tell him. Last year
five thousand dollars worth of milk was
sold in Middletown. Two milk wagons
carry this product to town, where it finds
ready sale. The young stock is disposed
of with equal readiness. The demand is
much greater than the supply. Calves sell
readily for from one hundred to two hun
dred dollars So it is seen this costly herd
of COWS is not merely ornamental, but kept
for revenue, and, perhaps, return larger
per cent. on their cost than any of the
farming operations. All the stock pur-
chased or raised is carefully registered; its
pedigree can at once be told, and owner
and purchaser know all about the animal.
The soiling system is pursued here, Until
after haymaking they do not leave their
stalls, except twice daily for water. All
the grass they can eat is cut and carried to
them. They eat two large wagon loads of
it daily. 1t is hardly more trouble to do
this than to look after the COWS when turned
out to pasture, while its advantages are
many and obvious. 1t has been proved
again and again by experiment that thirty
six acres of grass by the soiling system will