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

T FRANKLIN County extends south from Canada line
l along the shore of Lake Champain 33 miles. and
east from the lake to the Green Mountains 81 miles,
and contains 600 square miles of territory has pop
ulaton of 80, 900.
Its surface is varied somewhat hily yet without much
waste land. The largest bodies of water Franklin
and Fairfield ponds, and principal rivers the Msssquo
and Lamo!e The natural scenery is abundant, varied
and picturesque.
The soil is generally good and productive In some
sections there is considerable admixtme of sand in
others Of clay, but usually there is of gravelly
character with hard pan below.
The geological formation similar to that of the rest
CT the State In the western part limestone abounds
and in Swanton, large quantity Of lime is manufactured
Slate and granite found to extent, and along
the lake shore kind of red lime-ston marble has
been quite largely used for building purposes Within
the past years the Geo Barney Maj bic Co. of Swan
ton has been developing quarry Of mottled-red and
whitenarble in that town, which capable of fine fin
sh and is useful for ornamental work.
Generally, away from the rivers with their fine inter-
vale meadows the farms less stony, but
posed of good land AS agricultural section Franklin
County probably second other part of the State
The soil is adapted to all kinds of crops grown in this
part of the country
PRODUCTIONS.
Along the Champain Valley the finer varieties of fruit
can be successfully Produced while back towards the
mountains the hardy kinds have to be substituted.
AS stock is largely kept hay is leading production.
greater less extent but these products mostly made
use of at home Some hay and potatoes sent away,
but than the value of these in flour and in feed for
stock is returned.
Darying is the leading industry of the farmers. For
melly, especially in the western part of the County,
Meno sheep kept in quite large numbers, but they
are now mostly displaced by other kinds of stock. |
think the interest in sheep husbandy is revivng
what and there is doubt but that Of the best
breeds might be kept to good advantage
In 1880 there in this County 5000 horses, $50
oxen, 29,42G mich COWS, l4,513 other cattle, II 500
sheep, and 7,73O swine. The production of butter
amounted to 4,066, 249 pounds, and cheese to 24971
pounds. 1t is probable there horses than
in 1880, less oxen, possibly many sheep and
many more and swine. There ought also to be
butter and cheese produced and horses raised
increased attention is being given to this kind of
stock, with manifest improvement the result. The
dairy stock also being materially improved by the in
PRODUCTION of superior butter-produong breeds. The
production Of cheese is being considerably increased,
principally by the factory SYSTEM of which there
eral in operation. limited amount only is made
at the farm. The introduction of separaors into
this County has made quite change in the methods of
butter-makng Previous to 1891 there %
separators located at different points, and ten twelve
cleamtres where the butter made. In the autumn
Of 1880 the Franklin County Creamery Association
organized This includes all but creamery in the
County. Separators are located at the most eligible
points, where the farmers deliver their milk, and the
cream, after beng separated, taken to ST. Adams and
made into butter on the most approved plan There
at present 35 sepaators running in the interest of this
association in the County, receiving the milk from
600 dairies From 900 to 5000 pounds of butter day
are made from this milk This the only enterprise of
the kind in this part of the country there being but
other in the United States-in the State of Iowa.
There large amount of butter still made upon the
farm and many fine diaries bear excellent reputation
in the markets.
RAILROADS, HOTELS, ETC.
Railroads running through the County in various direc-
tons furnish excellent transportation facilities. There
is considerable number Of villages several of which
from their favorable location increasing in size and
importance fom year to year. Among these may be
mentioned Rchford Enosbu Oh Falls Swanton, and st.
Adams Good country stores and hotels are found in
most of these villages Franklin County is becoming
more avorably known and appreciated every year
pleasant and health,u summer resort