The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-08-20
Franklin County.

TdI1kl1I1 SOU1lIV.
FRANKLIN County extends south from Canada line
along the shore of Lake Champlain 80 miles, and
east from the lake to the Green Mountains 81 miles,
and contains 600 square miles OF territory 1t has pop
uation of sc, 000
Its surface is varied somewhat hiy yet without much
waste land The largest bodies of water are Franklin
and Fairfield ponds, and principal rivers the Misssquo
and Lamoille The natural scenery is abundant varied
and picturesque.
The soil is generally good and productive In some
sections there is considerable admixture of sand in
others of clay, but usually there is more of gavely
character, with hard pan below.
The geological formation is similar to that of the rest
of 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 limestone marble has
been quite largely used for building purposes Within
the past few years the Geo. Barney Marble Co. of Swan
ton has been developing quarry of mottled-red and
white-marble in that town, which is capable Of fine fin
ish 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 to 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 a leading production.
Potatoes and the various kinds of grains raised to
greater less extent but these products mostly made
use of at home Some hay and potatoes sent away,
but more than the value of these in -four and in feed for
stock is returned.
Dairyng is the leading industry of the farmers. For
merly especially in the western part of the County,
Meno sheep kept in quite large numbers but they
mostly displaced by other kinds of stock.
think the interest in sheep husbandry is reviving
what, and there is no doubt but that Of the best
breeds might be kept to good advantage
In 1880 there in this County 6,099 horses, 669
oxen, 29426 mich COWS, l4,513 other cattle, 1858
sheep, and 7,73O swine. The production of butter
amounted to 4066,249 pounds, and cheese to 24,971
ponnds 1t is probable there horses than
in 1880, less oxen, possibly not many Sheep and
many or and swine. There ought also to be
more butter and cheese produced and horses raised
as increased attention is being given to this kind Of
STOCK with manifest Improvement the result. The
dairy stock Is also being materially improved by the in
PRODUCTION Of superior butter-producing breeds. The
production of cheese is being considerably increased,
principally by the factory SYSTEM of which there
eral in operation. limited amount only is now made
at the farm The introduction of separaors into
this County has made quite change in the methods Of
butter-making Previous to 1891 there rs
separators located at different points, and ten twelve
of 1890 the Franklin County Creamery Association
organized This includes all but creamery in the
County. Separators located at the most eligible
points, where the farmers deliver their milk and the
cream after being separated is taken to ST. Adams and
made into butter the most approved PLAN There are
at present 35 separaors running in the interest Of this
association in the County, receiving the milk from some
600 dairies From 1000 to 5000 pounds of butter day
are made from this milk This is the only enterprise of
the kind in this part of the country there being but one
other in the United States-in the State of Iowa.
There is 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 drec
tons furnish excellent transportation facilities There
is considerable number of villages several of which
from their favorable location increasing in size and
Importance from year to year. Among these may bC
mentioned Richford EnosbuIgh Falls, Swanton and st
Albans, Good country stores and hotels are found il
most of these villages Franklin County is becoming
more favorably known and appreciated every year as
pleasant and healthful summer resort