The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-03-23
Sears Island Stock Farm.

| been this winter representative of The
Journal took horse and sleigh at the sta
bic of the Belfast Livery Co. for visit to
the Sears Island Stock Farm. The trip was
made by the "back road' to Searsport vii
lage, on which the sleighing was very good.
From the village to the corner OF the Island
road the bare ground and snow were about
evenly divided The Island road was con-
sidarablv drifted, both on the mainland and
the Island. But an unusual state of travel
ing W as found on the bar, where the sleigh
ing was the best that was met with for the
day. The bar proper is about 80 rods long
and connects the Island with the mainland
about two miles east Of Searsport village. 1t
is covered by the waters of the bay about one
half of each tide. The easterly side is
strewn with small boulders, but there is a
level driveway of gravelly beach along the
western side. Thursday night was very
cold-2o above zero-and the tide. which
was full at about 3 o'clock in the morning,
left thin coating of ice on the sand as it
went out. This made fine sleighing on the bar,
where the sand is usually bare, except
when the tide leaves large blocks of ice in
the way. None of these were on the bar,
but uhere was row OF them along the shore
of the Island and some trouble was expert
eneed in getting from the bar into the road.
Arriving at the farm house, the hospital
ity and cordial welcome from the genial
proprietor, G. J. Shaw, and his estimable
wife amply paid for the discomforts Of the
ride over the rough roads in the stingng
wind. After getting well warmed in the
pleasant sitting room a visit was made to
of thoroughbred Jersey "a. ]. G. c and
high grade Jersey and Guernsey cattle; 4
horses; Is Thoroughbred Berkshire swine
and flock of pure blood Shropshire sheep.
In the poultry houses are focks of Light
Brahma, Buff Cochin and Plymouth Rock
hens, Pekin ducks and Embden geese, all of
pure breed.
Mr.. Shaw leased the Island three years ago
for five years, of the owner, David Sears of
Boston. 1t contains l 100 acres of land, 200
of which are under cultivation. The remain
der is in wood. When Mr. Shaw came to the
Island he brought u head of cattle. He has
bought no neat-stock since, but has raised
all his heifer calves and has sold three old
cows. The natural increase Of the herd by
this process has brought the number up to 81
in little less than three years.
The herd includes three bulls; one4 years
old eligible to A. j, U. G. registry, by Gem
of St. Lambert, dam Molly Pogis; one 3
years old, by the Guernsey bull Duke of
Hartiand, dam thoroughbred Jersey COW
with the unusual record of milk test of 13
per cent. of butter fat; and one yearling bred
on the farm, by the Jersey ul dam an inbred
daughter of katheen's son, both elegible
to A. J c. c, registry. The females include
Thoroughbred Jerseys, 7 high grade Jerseys,
. high grade Guernseys, IA heifers bred on
the farm from the best took there, and 7
calves. Mr.. Shaw is breeding all high-grade
cows and heifers, when practicable, to the
Guernsey bull, which he calls "Combina-
ton" Twelve cows and heifers are to
calve this spring. Mr. Shaw has bred Cattle
Club Jerseys for twenty years, and has been
stock breeder all his life. For ten years he
owned and managed the "Cream Brook
Farm" in Stetson, of $40 acres, where he
kept 100 horses and from 80 to 40 head of
Jersey cattle. He is known among horse and
cattle breeders as one of the best Judges of
live stock in the country AS a breeder he
was best known the owner Of the famous
stations, Gideon and General Withers, and
his work with them resulted in great i'm
provement in the horse stock of the S tate
He believes in and practices the theory that
a horse or cattle dealer, especially if he be a
breeder, should deal honestly with his Gus
toners, and he makes many trades, both as
buyer and seller, by correspondence, with
out the buyer seeing the animal until it is
delivered. He bought Seen. Withers' in
this way in Kentucky, sending his check for
81 900 in payment for the animal, then only
yearling, before seeing him. AS showing
his appreciation of the points of an animal ii
is told that he once wrote to a breeder in the
West giving minute description of such. ..an
animal as he wanted. The reply was: "If
could find such an animal as you describe
would not hesitate to give $4,000 for him. y
His stock is fed with a view to keeping ii
IN perfect 06alGQ anu luo DeSG COuulJlOu
for production of whatever is required be ii
muscle flesh, wool, cream or young. They
are not overfed, and the buyer will not be
disappointed by any Of them falling off
either in flesh or production when put on
ordinary feed While his stock is all of the
best quality, of good pedigree, and carefully
raised, he does not ask what is generally
known as "fancy prices" but is willing to
sell at prices which the stock is worth to
use for business.
Mr.. Shaw is fully as particular in his
breeding of sheep, swine and poultry as in
cattle and horses. The thoroughbred Berk-
shire boar which he used this season has
been exchanged for one bred in the Western
part of the State, and one young thorough
bred SOW has been bought. The best of the
ewes only are used for breeding, and the re-
suit is seen in young lambs which are now
coming-al being thrifty, smart little fell
lows. The poultry yards are well worth a
visit by those interested in that branch
Not only are the birds handsome to look
upon but the egg account is highly salts
factory to the owner. .......
In addition to his farming Mr.. Shaw con.
tinues the salmon fishery, for which Sears
Island has long been famous. and he is now
preparing his weirs to be ready at the open
lug of the season, April 1st.