The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-10-13
THE BLUE GlIAS IS REGION.
One or the Great Stock Farms There
and Some Of its Appofiitments.

Gen. William T. Wither's "Fairlawn"
is just at the edge Of Lexington. 1t is
comfortable modern stone house, In the
midst of fine shade trees Of the natural
woods Of Kentucky. Il Is approached
by an avenue through patent sclf.act-
ing gate. Around it are scattered numer.
Gus barns, stables and other out build.
ings. The land il divided into various
padlocks and pastures. in which the
re idish spots of feeding-colts are
scattered about by stretches Of excel
lent white fence. A fence here, accord.
ing to saying of the section must be
mule, high, bull strong and pig t,sh.."
This place has but 24O acres, but the
brood mares are kept on another farm
of 50O acres elsewhere. At one side Of
the grounds is "A com modious training
| track, laid out like one Of those myth
| cal fairy circles on which Tie spinning
Of rapid feet weaves spells Of enchatit.
ment and p,osaerity. 1t is visi-
bic from The library window, and the
general may stand there, even with the
cur aims closed, and see the perform
ances of his horses, and act rs a check
Oh any negligent practices of hisgrOoms.
The host seats us in his comfortable IL
brary, and explains to us his theories
and shows us his books Of record. Ev-
cry birth, every pedigree, is accurately
entered. 1t is a business as thus con-
Quoted, which calls for high order of
intelligence. Horse breeding as at one
time conducted was but an innocent
form Of gambling. The processes are
haphazard and the result OF ignsranc. ;.
Again, much money was lost thr0ugs, the
choice of inferior sock. OF late the theo.
ry prevails that the very best is not too
expensive; great deal Of valuable Ger.
tainty has been deduced from the collec.
tive wisdom Of the past, and as q rule,
money is made instead Of lost. The
library cases are lined with books on
the horse; the walls, with those OF the
house generally, and indeed of the blue
grass region throughout, are hung with
his pictures. Over the door is the his
toric Rysdvk's Hambletonian, Roman
nosed. hollow-backed and far from q
model of good looks, upon q field OF
plain grass and sky.
Gen. Wither's principal stable ia a
kind of horse cathedral. This is by no
means common. Many fine animal.
pet OF its owners fam
lily as If they were Of Arab stock is led
out but from shabby quarters. The sta.
bles of the region are clean and whole
some, but do not incline to fantastic ell.
igences Of adornment such as are grow.
ing in favor among ourselves In the
northern cities. Here the night strikes
down upon us through colored glass
windows; the whole interior is faced up
with hard woods; and the floor Of the
principal aisle or nave, stIewn with
soft straw for exhibiting the PAGES OF
the animals upon, could not be neater il
1t were that of drawing room. The
main dimensions is l55 feet, and this is
crossed by a transept Of 100. The stalls
are toward sixteen feet square. They
have outer rs well as inner doors for
egress in case OF fire, and these are
never kept locked. Little or no fancy
iron work in the way of stable fittings is
used, wooden racks and managers being
preferred. Wide open spaces over the
partitions and transom ventilators carry
off all odors. The ,lean hay is piled In
mows above, and the corn and oats slide
down by traps into convenient
bins. Then there is place
for sulkies and road wagons
q harness room and harness mend.
ing room, and a great collection of the
mysterious looking boots and weights
used In breaking in the trotter. Near
by a little court yard il reserved as a
hospital, and i'm it stands few animals
awaiting dolefully the end of their woes.
81 am no great believer in veterinary
DOCTORS" says our host. They kill
more than they cure. | blanket my pa.
tlents, protect them from sudden ex-
tremes ofthe weather and give but little
medicine. That is my system" Visitors
sit comfortably in chairs in the ca, hedral
like stable, and the horses are brought
out before them.-W. Ii. Bishop in
Harper's for October.