Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-08-09
SUCCESSFUL FARMING.
Breeding Stock and Making Butter the
Specialties. Thoroughbred JERSEYS.

II.
f. G. Bronson of East Hardwick. has
farm situated on the Lamoille river
and well up among the hills that
skirt the Green Mountains. There are
good meadows on the river and there
is excellent pasturage found on
the hills. On these hills are excellent
farms, Judging from the capacious
buildings, and Hardwick is a fine
dairy town.
MIR. Bronson has managed a farm
of 300 acres for eight years. Thor
oughbred registered Jerseys, combin-
ing the blood of the best families in
this country, is the kind of stock that
is kept.
Mr.. Bronson's father founded
this herd in 1867, with stock descend
ed from the Motley importation of
1881. This has been followed by the
representatives Of such families as
Eurotas, Duke of Darlington, Victor,
sire of Jersey Belle Of Scituate, Duke
76, Alphea, etc. There are now 50
animals of all ages in the herd. Last
spring, five cows were sold to c. |.
Hood of Lowell, Mass, compliment
TO this herd when the character of
that of Mr.. Hoods is considered.
As this herd is kept for breeding
purposes as well as butter production,
the breeding tendency strongly in
this direction, it is not probable that
the average yield of butter is as large
as it would be if butter was the sole
object; still, few herds in the country
will present a better record, especially
when the number of cows is taken
into account.
Last year, y cows were MIXED and
the average Of butter per COW was 33s
pounds. Sold TO Il commission house,
this gave an income Of 800 per COW.
This year about the same number Of
cows are being MIXED, and the butter
is selling up above market quotations.
Butter is made the year round, most
of the cows coming fresh in milk from
August TO December The weekly
make ranges from $50 TO 300 pounds. |
The butter is made on the farm. A
separator is used, and this is run by
wo-year-old bull. The butter is put
in prints and marketed each week.
The cows are kept in the stables
nights during the entire year. They |
have three or four pounds Of grain
this year bran and cornmeal with a |
little cottonseed-while in winter the !
amount is increased to nine pounds, |
according to the needs of the COW.
In summer, light feed Of hay is
given in the morning TO make up for
the night pasture. Sawdust is used |
for bedding, and large amount Of |
manure is secured.
Ensilage is raised to feed in winter.
This year, ten acres of sanford corn
is planted for this purpose. Mr.. Bron-
son grows peas and oats for fodder,
getting three tons per acre, and con-
siders this much more profitable than
growing oats 10 thresh. This with
the ensilage and grain, makes good
milk and butter. The stock, although
well cared for, is not pampeed or
overfed. The animals are good look
ing and healthy. Although excellent
butter producers, they do not appear
TO wear out very young, rs one was
shown that is in her 18th year and
still doing good work.
There are large number. of young
animals, bulls and heifers, that prom
Use to take the place OF the older ones
and sustain the reputation of the herd.
"John Brondale," eight years old,
stands at the head and is an excellent
stock-getter.
Last spring, a bull calf was obtained
from Richardson Bros, Davenport,
Iowa, an excellent animal with which
to further improve the herd. Mr.
Bronson bred the grandsire and dam
of the COW Brown Bessie" that made
so good record at the Worlds Fair.
His herd partakes largely of this
blood.
During the past eight years, the re-
ceipts from this farm have been treb-
led. This shows skill and good man
lgement on the part of the present
but the growth of this now
herd has been the result
Of many years of well-directed effort
and patient endeavor.