Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-10-05
A MODEL u AIRY FARM.
Tee Attractive Estnts in sheiburno Own
ed by Col. r. c. Fletcher of st. Johns
bury.
shelburne. Sept. q. 1899.

Shelburne, Sept q, 1899.
Just south Of "Shelbune Farms" the
summer home of DIR. w. Seward webb
and froOting the lake shore for n long
distance. is tract of land which for
picturcsqueness, fertility, and historic in
torest Is not surpassed in the State
In l769 this tract of land containing over
1000 acres came into tho possession of
Moses Picrson, oue of Shelburne's pioneer
settlers. 1t afterward was purchased by
Judge Mech, whose name was a svn-
onym for honesty, enterprise and charac-
ter. Upon this farm was fought the ia
nous "Shclburne" battle in 1777 when a
large party of tories and Indians attack
ed block house built by Mr. Person
The scigc cost several lives but was I'M
successful
The estate was finally divided. Mr.
Mech taking about $50 acres to the north
on which was erected a large and COM
modious structure of gray stone qudrred
at Wilsboro, n. Y, and conveyed across
the lake in boats. The interior of this
modern house was finished in black wal
nut and butternut. The cost of construc-
ton was about $4,000, a princely fortune
in those days. To-day this same house
lands in good state OF preservation. as
n monument to the substantial character
Of the one who built it,
About fourteen years ago this property
came into the hands of Col. r. G. Fletch-
or of St. Johnsbury. we'll known through
his services as member of the State
abroad commission and president Of the
st. Johnsbury hospital. Mr.. Fletcher is
lust now making extensive alterations
and repairs to this place at u cost of
nearly $1,000. He Is seeking to make 1t
one of the most practical modern equip
ped dairy farms in Vermont. Herewith is
given a description of the work as fin
ished by the genial manage Mr.. O. A.
Baldwin. The farm Is distinctiveiy a
dairy farm and Mr.. Baldwin being a spe-
calist in the selection of cows for milk.
has brought together a picked herd of as
fine a grade stock of Ayrshires, Ilolsteins
and Jerseys as can be found. He is milk =
ing s. head at present and eXpects this
number to be augmented to 100 in an
other month. In three years he desires
to add still another hundred. To this end
the entire barns have been remodelled
and rehtted. One stable is arranged for
"a cows with " facing each otheC. A
unique patent swinging stanchon ties the
cows and allows perfect freedom in turn
ing, etc The droppings fall into water
tight cellar easy of access. A corn silc
with a capacity of GAO tons of fodder has
been erected costing $1,000 This year A
acres of corn were harvested which prob.
ably yields 10 bushels to the acre The
corn, cob and stalks We're put through
thresher and the product conveyed ny ar
endless chain containing Stat cups TO th'
s.lo. A days ration for cow IS =
pounds, fed twice a day, with fodder OF
hay at noon. The milk of this large dairy
is at present carried to the Charlotte
creamery although Mr.. Fletcher cOntemp
lates making his own butter on the prem
ises later. From 200 to 1,60O pounds OF
milk daily are produced, the highest guam
tity 1,B7 pounds having been recorded
one day in June.
An addition 10 the barn of great value
is an artesian we'll sunk 26o feet through
solid slate. The water thus found vii
he pumped by a windmill intoa large stone
cscrvor measuring 20x15x10 feet and ca
pable of holding $50 barrels of water. Thi
tank is also dug from solid slate rock
1t Is situated on an eminence north of th'
building which gives head win forc'
enough to throw water over the tales
barn. A system of fire hydrants is beini
Installed and a supply of hose purchase
| or fire protection Altogether the "Fletch
er Dairy Farms when completed, VII
be a model Vermont farm