Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1906-06-01
Basin Stock Farm .

In the spring OF 1871 AFTER the death
of John A. Conant, of Brandon, part
of his real estate situated near Forest
dale was sold at auction. Among other
parcels of land being one, the so-called
Basin Farm of 925 acres which was
purchased by N. B. Powers, a wealthy
manufacturer of LansingburghJ NJ Y.
Local wise-acres said that it was; to be
plaything for Mr.. Powers to spend
money on but in the face of the ill-luck
that all farmers rich as well as poor
have to contend with, it has proved
something far better than a mere toy.
Located most charmingly in the foot
hills of the Green Noun tains and lying
some three miles to the east of Brandon,
one of the prize villages of Vermont, it
is of interest to the sightseer. Anyone,
either the dweller who Is at home in
the city mart, or the farmer or anyone
who enjoys the grand scenery of country
roads and the sight of blooded cattle,
horses or other fine stock, would do
well to drive from Brandon and get a
view of this farm and its stock and
buildings. Immediately on the pur-
chase of the farm, NJ. l.. Gibbs Of Bran
don was employed as superintendent.
Many improvements were made in the
building of farm roads, grading, setting
trees, etc. At that time the cattle were
all Jerseys with long pedigrees of blood
ed ancestors. The dreaded disease tu-
berculosis broke out in the herd and
nearly all were sacrificed to the scourge.
Soon after this change was made and
H. H. Waters, of Forestdale, became
superintendent and things pursued their
way till Oct. 2S, 1904, when in some I'M
known manner the supposed fireproof
barn caught fire and Al cattle, l horse,
46 Angora goats and &c hogs were
burned. The farm house was saved but
the loss on the barns, ETC., was heavy
and not covered by insurance. The loss
was estimated at $4,000. Mr.. Powers
began at once to make preparations for
modern fire proof structure, but his
death, which occurred July 8, 1905, for
time hindered the work. His two sons
Edward and Albert, who succeeded
their father as owners, began the con.
struction of a modern barn, which is
today, one of the most up-to-date and
sanitary structures in the state. The
new barn measures III 40 fit. with a
basement under the entire building ter
feet deep. The basement has a concrete
floor and managers and the sewerage il
of the most modern type. 1t is fitted
with 40 of the Taylor swing stanchionl
and numerous box stalls, also calf and
pig pens. These are occupied by some
very handsome grade and thoroughbred
Holstein cows. The first floor is divided
into bays, barn floors and box stalls
There is also an office, harness room
and large and commodious milk room
fitted with all the latest dairy appliances
At the end of the barn is a Mosley &
Stoddard Silo of 10 tons capacity. In
the rear is large, new granary also the
large goat barn which is occupied by
nearly one hundred old and young An
CORA goats. In the construction of this
barn 231 bbls. cement, 90 bbls. lime
80 pegs of nails, 23 m. feet matched
lumber, 70 m. feet building lumber. 6;
m. shingles and Is m. feet clapboardi
comprised the material used. This il
the home of Basin Boy, a beautiful
dark, chestnut stallion sired by Leicester
who has trotted a full mile in 2:22
Last year Basin Boy took four pre-
miums, two at Rutland, one at Middle
bury and one at Brattleboro. Baisil
Boy is a foal of 1899 and bids fair t
be one of Vermont's famous horses
There are at present 10 other horses a
the farm all under the training o
Charles Bird, horseman of proficienc,
and experience. 1t requires the service
of six men to do the work of the farm
which is done in an efficient as we'll a
economical manner that makes it profit