Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-26
QUEEN vIcToRrA's FARM.
4 SpIcn i'll Dairy Establishment I'm the
Renaissance STYLE.

Renaissance Style.
The Shaw farm, so called because it
was at one time held, before the es-
tate was purchased by the crown. by o
Frcnchman, NJ de Shave, was more
lately an appanage of Frogmore. and
was occupied by the Princess Augusta,
but on her death, in 1910, the Prince
Consort took it in hand, continuing as
the tenant till his death, in 1868, since
which time it has been in the occupa-
tion of Her Majesty. Here we find the
splendid farm buildings which form
one of its chief characteristics. The
cost Of the buildings erected by the
Prince must have been enormous, and.
with those on the home farm, must
have absorbed very large sum OF
money. They are adapted for the
breeding OF stock. and OF the present
time there are upwards of two hundred
head Of stock on the place, besides .
large number OF sheep and pigs. The
principal herds are those OF short
horns and Jerseys. but there are Also
q number OF Hereforjs and Devons
The object is not merely ornamental.
for the practical production 4of beef
and dairy produce ia ever kept
in view, Considerable success has
been achieved in the production of
fat stock, and the prizes won at lead
Ing Christmas shows have proved that
the system of feeding is thoroughly
understood by those In charge of the
farm. The operators are and have
been closely watched by members Of
the royal family. and the residence of
Mr, TAFT, the manager, who succeeded
to this position on the death of his
father i'll 1882, there is suite of apart
ments devoted to the use of Her
Majesty, from which she can privately
go through the entire range of build
ings.
1t Is the dairy farm, near which is
the magnificent range of poultry
houses, where, in days gone by, mem
bers of the family were want to walk
in the morning, and, in the comfortable
room which forms the center of the
block partske OF new-laid eggs. that
will attract chiefly the attention of Wis
itors- The magnificent dairy was
built according to the directions OF the
Prince Consort, and it embodies all
that is desirable in a place where
cream and butter are to be kept The
site is on gravel. the floor being laid
on brick arches, which have an under
vacant space of three feet The ex-
ternal walls are hollow with ventila-
ton The roof is prepared to secure
eoolness The floor is laid with tiles
of an incised pattern with a rich
majohca border. not unlike
Turkey carpet In appearance. The
tables are of solid marble, and
below, extending to their full length,
are tiled reservoirs, through which,
when required, stream of water can
be kept constantly flowing. The walls
are covered with tiles bearing a mauve
| colored star Oa white ground, the
whole having green and white run
ming border. Majolica bas- reliefs. en-
| blematic of agriculture and the four
seasons. are introduced on the walls,
| together with medallions OF the royal
family, supported by sea-horses, etc.
| The ceiling is exquisitely made in
| keeping with the walls, and fountain
| of majolica stands at each end of the
dairy, the form being a shell supported
1 h.,
nymph, pouring water from jar,
worked in statuary marble, forms a
third fountain, and is placed at the
south side of the room. The windows
have double easements, the inner being
flied with stained glass to represent
daisies and primroses. Supporting the
roof are six ornamental pillars, on
which are clusters of small twisted
shafts, carrying Che ornamental arches
in connection with the ceiling and
roof, all being richly decorated in color
and highly enameled,
Externally the dairy is built in the
renaissance style, bearing the legend:
Erected in the twenty-frst. year OF
the reign OF Her Majesty Q ueen VIC
toria-" The roof is covered with al
ternate rows Of red and blue tiles, sur
mounted by an octagonal turrent ven
tilatOr, on the sides of which are elab-
crate perforated panels bearing the
royal arms. The cowhouse which
supplies the milk for use 10 the diary
is very handsome. and the records
kept of the production Of each animal
are most complete. In every way this
home farm deserves the name it has
so long received-that Of model"
Recognizing the Importance of help
ing the workers on the estate among
the various improvements effected
have been the dwellings of the labor
/ ers, which are now worthy of the
whole place. And in the first year of
his tenancy Prince Albert established