The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-08-19

western part is watered by the third branch of White
River and Ayers brook.
The general surface of the County is quite billy, but
the hills not high to render them unfit for farm
ing purposes, and in many sections the richest farming
land is found the height of land This is found to be
the case particularly in the town of Randolph There is
but little land in this County unfit for agricultural pur-
poses Where by of being rough stony unfit
for tllage, it affords excellent pasturage The soil gen.
orally strong and of great variety and all farm crops
produced in great abundance and with much certainty.
Few sections of the country have suffered less from rouh
or rain than this County, the soil is of character that
does not easily become parched and steep enough to
drain off any rain fall in or two days. Though not
especially fruit section, apples thrive very well and
many raised According to the census of 1880 the
value of the orchard products $4,000, only three
Counties producing greater value. The total value Of
farm farm products 1897 900, giving the fifth place
among the Counties Of the State. The stock of this
County is of mixed character being about equally di
yided between horses cattle and sheep, and the character
OF the lands of the County require that this condition of
things continue, many farms untitled for darying by
reason of distant rough pastures make good returns
from raising sheep and colts. The people, class
Industrious frugal and fairly prosperous About sixty
farms in the County reported without Many
of these operated in connection with other farm
where the lives and not for sale Others which
for sale are believed to be good farms, and the
reason for selling is very often to settle estate Sew
eral have been purchased within the past year
The County is well provided with railroads. the Gen.
trail passing The south portion the Pas
sumpsc along the eastern boundary it's entire LENGTH and
a branch line from Barre to Wiamstown which is ex-
pected to continue souhery and connect with the Gem
trail at early day and afford increased service to the
central towns of the County
MANUFACTURING.
Though this County is very largely agricultural it has
is
vided with grist and mills, and in many towns the
product from the mills is large item of income.
Quite extensive tracts of timber found in the northern
and western portion and the business of manufacturing
both spruce and hard wood has been profitable and afforded
employment to large number Of Aside from this
branch of manufacturing found at West Randolph,
mills manufacturing sash and blinds, butter tubs funi
ture and window at Brookied hoes and forks3
atWamsown, granite at Newbury chair furniture pa
perand boxes; at Straord bedseads; Topsham bobbns
at Theord large fishing rod mandatory has been quite
successful. Vershre is the location of the Ely copper
mne which has passed through many changes of
ship in the past few years This mine formerly employed
several hundred men and is being operated to
extent. Many smaller mills found in nearly every
town. and most every town offer good opportunities
for increasing this branch of industry.
SUMMER RESORTS.
Few sections can offer more attractions than this
County for travel. The roads the finest to
be found, the trout streams numberess, and views of
mountain scenery unsurpassed Until very recently little
has been done in this direction but every effort has been
responded to in way to encourage others to follow in
this line Two years ago the Mapewood opened at
Randolph Centre for boarders, with accommoda
tons for about one hundred persons 1t filled from
the beginning and though additions constantly being
made it is found impossible to accommodate the business
which to it, Private families have only
in order to have their houses filed At Faree Lake
something is done in the way of attracting this travel;
also at Chelsea, and in small way in several towns
Not tenth part is done in this direction that might be-
and very many sections have tracts of land for sale that
would make fine summer homes.