Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-05-05
Stauntstt Speftator
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5. 1855.
IMPROVING CATTLE-DAIRYING.

The attention which these interests are
receiving in Augusta county and this sec
ton of the Valley is daily testing the value
of them as chief industries, which, in time, |
they NAV become. The coming exhibition |
of our District Fair will doubtless indicate |
the progress going on in the Improvement
of cattle, and show TO advantage the devel- |
opment of the different kinds, all OF which
have their special advocates, some OF
whom we can call to mind. The Shorthorns
have as their champions Major Chrisman
and Mr.. John Lincoln in Rockingham; Jas.
P. Hawkins in Bath; W. c. Ficklin in Al
bemarle, and J. E. Hamilton in Augusta
DR.. Killian, also of this county, has an ex-
cellent herd of Holsteins, and Mr.. W. w.
McGufin, at Fort Lewis, the first settle
ment made in the county, has dairy farm
with fine grades of Holsteins and Jerseys
Mr.. ]. W. Todd, President of the District
Fair, at his new place, "Hillside." one mile
North of the city, has just commenced with
a Jersey foundation, and received premi-
UNI at the last County Fair. Capt Pratt,
Secretary of the Fair, is an experienced and
successful breeder of Jerseys at his "Wal-
nut Grove" stock-farm, near Waynesboro',
and Mr.. Fl. A. s. Hamilton, of "Hilltop,"
near Fishersville, is also an enthusiastic
champion of Jerseys. SOAK HILL" one
and a-half miles Southwest of the city, has
been for number of years an improved
livestock and dairy farm, owned by Mr..
D. A. Kayser. Recently he sold part Of
it to Mr.. G. L. WEIGH and portion of his
improved cattle and hogs. Mr.. Kayser re-
tains part of it, and upon it and two other
farms he owns in the county, he will con-
tinue to conduct the stock business, to
which he is devoted. He has both Short
horns and Jerseys, and at future time
special reference will be made to his fine
herds, as we'll as to his improved Berk-
shires.
A sketch of the different herds which will
be exhibited at the District Fair-and it is
reasonable to suppose every breeder OF pure
blood and improved cattle in the counties
embraced in the Fair organization will ex-
hibit-would be valuable for present infor-
NATION, as well as for reference in the fu-
ture, and we wish all engaged in this i'm
portant industry could be named in this ar
ticle.
One of the latest enterprises in rearing
improved cattle has just been established
on the borders of this city. Large invest
ments, careful study, untiring energy, fine
talents, and determined will are in it. The
location is attractive and picturesqe, and
will continue to increse in interest to visit
ors, especially those who have watched it
from the beginning, whilst it will arrest tie
attention of travellers on the Valley Rail
roadapassing through it, and along the
county thoroughfares, two Of which flank
it, one on the East and the other on the
West The location is on the Eastern sub
urbs of the city, formerly belonging to the
late Alexander H. Taylor, and purchased
last Fall by NJ. Erskine Miller, Esq, where
he has established the Eastwood Jersey
Cattle Farm" 1t has several considerable
elevations, on one of which il a fine old for
est, that the present owner, we venture to
say, will never disturb, except to clear it OF
underbrush, whilst age will contine to beau
tify it. The hills roll smoothly and form
winding wales around their bases. Several
fine springs cluster along the valley down
which little brook crosses the farm to
Lewis Creek, which forms the Eastern Dor
der of Eastwood" Mr.. Miller has car
ried on his plans of improvement with ex-
cellent judgment and fine taste, and no
small amount of industry. The large brick
farm-residence erected by Mr.. Taylor has
been made to look new again. Long lines
of picket, plank, and some wire-fencing
are supplanting the former lines of en-
closures. Changes have been made in the
arrangement of fields and lots and road
ways, and in doing so, the topography has
has been studied with good effect. The
toughest field of the divisions, which is on
the Western side, will be allowed to retain
its variety of fruit and forest-growth, and
in time will be the most picturesque of all.
Eastwood" has large young orchard of
well-selected fruit-bearing trees, which
have received full attention, and will not be
the least of its attractions. The old barn
has assumed new proportions and coloring,
and has become palace-like home for the
young Jersey herd, which have taken pos
session of it.. By its side an ensiage silo
is in the course Of construction. Half cut
away doors, glass windows, cement floors,
in which is drainage to a cistern with SUBJ
divisions of passage-ways and stalls, estab-
lish order and system, which cattle are
quick in learning. All the compost and
liquid fertilizers, the last of which is drain
ed to tank, are saved, and upon the gar
den and fields the result is already mani
fest as to what this economy secures fol-
crops and permanent filth. Fertilizers
made and saved on the farm add golden
value to its acres, which cannot be taken
from them. When commencing the refer
ence to Eastwood" the purpose was only
to talk about "the Jerseys" but the fire.
quent afternoon walks through it, looking
at the designs of its proprietor as they are
developing, furnish SO much that arrests
the attention that it is difficult to leave of
any of its surroundings. One or two more
observations out on the fields, and we will
pass on to the herd. On the Northern Dor.
der an enclosure thickly dotted with large
stumps tells the tale that recently on it's
pretty Eastern slope, stood a magnificent
forest of oaks, of which there are now too
few Immediately adjacent to the city. As
the old monarchs had ceased to exist, their
decaying foundations had become eye-sores,
and as far as skilled labor and dynamite
could do their offices in removing them pre-
vious to corn planting, they were diligently
exercised, with orders not to lay hands on
the saplings which had been spared, and
the earliest and loveiest of forest boomers,
the dogwoods, of which some remained
COMMANDING with rva lost Eou R.1o;o,