The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-08

covered that it was exactly the height of
the tops of the windmills% opposite.
Next year will see a fine mansion crown.
ing this hill, and preparations for a large
barn OF modern construction on the abrupt
side of the elevation are already under way.
Some fine horses will find a home here, for
the secretary intends to go down into the
blue grass region and get several head
of fins Kentucky brood mares. A
herd of thoroughbred Holsteins is
another thing in contemplation, to replace
the cattle now III the farm. Years
ago Uncle Jerry used to keep short
horns. but whenthe was elected governor
and left the farm in other handr the
blooded stock WAS sold. 1t must not be
forgotten that Uncle Jerry keeps pigs now
that this little misunderstanding with Cor
many has come to an end, and 100 head OF
Poland Chinas, registered stock at that,
roam about the fields. Now that thera is
another market for American hog products,
the raising of swine will be made more of a
feature on the Rusk farm.
With nil the modern improvements that
Uncle Jerry contemplates there will be no
change otherwise 70 spoil the rustic pic
turesqueness of the farm. The Virginia
rail fences that divide the different fields
and the rustic gates and bars will be left as
they are, While it has been said that there
is nothing romantic about this farm men,
ton must be made of what are called the
sink holes" These so.called sink holes
are not the %forbidding things the name i'm
plies. Great crate1-like things they are,
formed by terrilo convulsions of the earth
in ages past, and now from the bottom of
them grow great live oaks and naples. As
sylvan a retreat as could be wished for the
hot days of midsummer and just strange
enough to be all the more interesting. Near
one of these sink holes is the grave of Old
Wink. one or the pioneer stage horses
which, after the railroad ruined his voca-
tion, roamed over the farm, the sing of the
herd, and lived to a ripe old age.
Uncle Jerry is as hard n worker as any
one on the farm, when he is at home, and
sets tho hired man a good example of in
dustry. Born ns he was on a farm, and at
IA years of age left to run it and support
his mother, he naturally knows a thing or
two about the business. When he was
busy at work on the farm. During the hay
ing season off went the coat of Uncle Jerry
and into the field he went, ons of the hard
est workers there. One of Uncle Jerry's
hobbies is an unalterable belief in the value
of sub-soiling. This is the great thing he
now got them so that they will plow deep
enough to satisfy him and to make him feel
secure at the far-away capital that the rich
ness of the land ia in no danger of giving
out. Everybody who ever worked on the
farm for Uncle Jerry says that the old
uaIl udo tA iea dooub pVdCIlCdl farming
and succeeded in carrying it out. Eyes, we
always got along very we'll together said
ono of his former helpers, now a black
smith at Viroqua. 1.-The old man, though,
always had his views about the proper way
to do things"
Some one tells n story on Uncle Jerry to
the effect that no was one time twitted
about being a farmer, II replied that he
was not a farmer but IN agricultural.
"What is the ditference?" he was asked.
"Well," said Uncle Jerry, with a twinkle
in his eye. "a farmer is supported by his
farm. and an agrlculturist supports his
farm"
Whether this be true or not there isn't
much of the impractical or play-day kin
about this farm. 1t is run just about as all
the farms surrounding are run and for
about the same purpose. 1t is a dairy farm,
There are on it ut present
thirty eight head Of cattle, twelve horses
and tho pigs and poultry. The last season
100 acres of corn were grown. 100 acres of
hay md thirty aores OF oats. The rest of
the land consists Of pasture.
SUMNER NJ. CURTIS.
Tpt,urtyht