Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-06-05
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
A VISIT TO THE DAIRY FARM OF Col.
JAMES A,.BOYD.

We have always entertained the idea that
no class in the community has SO many and
such large interests concentrated in the de-
velopment and permanence of agriculture,
with all of its branches and appendages, as
the farmers of the State.
Impressed with the Importance of this
conviction, approaching the fact that Mont
gomery county is what may be termed
strictly agricultural community, and there
fore its people feel deeply interested in ev-
erything relating to its growth and promi.
nence, we have encouraged ourself with the
idea that what we have gathered in our
rambles, of the progress of agriculture in
the county, would not be altogether with
out interest to our readers.
We never pass Boyd's Station, looking
on. on the picturesque views which every
where cluster in rich profusion, and the
magnificent and rolling landscape basking
in the full luxuriance of high and scien.
tiic system of cultivation, without an mex
pressible desire of stopping over and view
ing the wonderful progress and ornamental.
ton which has been accomplished at this
point in the course OF o few years Init.
mating our desire 70 Col Boyd, some time
since. be very eor1ially ndcd ia AZ Nv W.
vitation 10 visit him al such tine as would
best suit our pleasure and convenience.
We could not have selected a more charm
ing or opportune time TO have visited the
Colonel's farm than on our return from our
rambles, and eagerly we fastened to en-
brace the opportunity. Having notified the
Colonel of the hour of our anticipated ar
rival, he met us at the depot, and in afew
moments we refined up at his famous cow
barns and buildings. Time and again, as
we had gone dashing by in the cars at light
ming speed, we had been struck with the
magnificent proportions, commanding ap.
pearance and elaborate surroundings of this
building, with its annexes, without forming
any idea Of the extensive and well directed
operations carried on under its roof Cross.
ing the surrounding yard, which was as
clean as the asphalt pavements OF Pennsyl-
wanna 1NChuC NJ buuiisC, VIC ShbOu Nv Out vi
the entrances on the east side of the main
building This building is one hundred
feet long by thirly-six wide, with the cell.
ing of the ground floor twenty feet high
The annex is eighty.flve feet long by thirty
five feet wide, and the same height as the
ceiling of the main building IL the hand
some appearance of the exterior Of the build
ing was attractive, the interior was doubly
inviting because of its system, cleanliness
and ventilation. Indeed party of summer
tourists could spread their cloths and par
take Of lunch in any portion of these two
large buildings without the slightest incon.
venience or be molested by any unpleasant
~odor. The floors are Of heavy concerted
material In the rear of the cows, all of
which are nicely and securely stalled, with
proper listening, is small concrete trough,
through which stream of fresh water is
kept flowing. Lime and plaster are kept
sprnked throughout the year in this trough,
which absorbs the ammonia through this
trough all the impurities and excrements
are conducted TO large reservoir some dis
lance from the buildings, where after alb
sorbing certain amount of lime and plaster,
is carted out on the farm.
Running the entire length of these build
ings is u passage nine feet wide, kept in
scrupulously clean condition From this
passage on the west side doors open into
the various necessary compartments of this
large institution. We can mention but few.
In one room is located large eight.horse
engine. This engine is used to conduct
water TO or through any portion OF the
buildings, the cutting of hay, grinding of
corn and cob, the lifting of hay to the second
story, which is borne along on an iron rail To
any portion Of the buildings. Adjoining the
engine room is situated the troughs for
cleaning the cans. These cans, as soon as
they are returned from the markets, are
washed out with soap and brush. after this
process, cold water rs turned on through
hose, when they are removed TO the drying
room. In another room and conveniently
arranged 80 as TO save time and labor are
placed the troughs for mixing and steaming
the io,d through the winter. or until grass
comes. A little bran and meal is given all
through the summer. Immediately joining
the engine room and across the passage from
where the cows are kept and MIXED is the
coming tmugh. This trough holds four hun
hundred gailonsoi water. The wafer is kept
running continually into this trough from
large we'll situated under one portion Of the
building by means of the engine. In this
trough the milk is brought and reduced To
a temperature Of 600 before II is sent away
to market We noticed posted ON the side
Of wall Of this room slip taken from one
of the Washington daily papers, which was
telegram from Europe To Colonel Boyd,
stating that the twenty gallons of milk and
ten gallons of cream which he had shipped
had arrived, after voyage of ten days, in
as fresh and good condition as when It left
his dairy. It is here proper that we should
remark, that all pf these compartments are
separate, everything has lis proper place and
everything in place, whilst the cleanliness
and nice arrangement would charm the
most fastidious
II requires seven CONSTANT men hands 10
attend to all Of the departments OF these two
buildings and do the milking. They report at
3oclock in the morning and afternoon. The
time consumed for milking, straining, cool.
ing and shipment is two hours. After milk
ing, these hands are engaged in cleaning,
embarrassing, placing everything in order
down 10 the little stools, which they use
whilst milking--every one has been trained
with care tor the duties which have been
assigned him and every one is aware that
he must attend punctually TO those duties
or leave.
The number of fresh cows kept ON an
average in these buildings is estimated at
40, with dripers coming fresh SO. BY an
oversight we have mislaid our note Of the
average gallons per day To market, but
a. "a. -. A. A..