Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-05-29
Farming Bv Proxy.

Farming By Proxy.
Some time ago, the writer visited a
friend, Mr.. H., at his beautiful old cOun-
try place. After dinner, while strolling
about, he told me some Of his expert
ences at farming.
Engaged in business and unable to
look after things himself. he had had to
depend on managers and foremen. His
love of horses led him first to try to raise
,rotters. To this end he engaged high
priced manager, who came we'll recon-
mended. He bought several valuab'e Q
horses, a number of brood mares and
built two stables, besides adding largely
to the one already on the place.
The new man installed. he confidently
left everything in his charge and bought
him whatever he asked for. In short
time, expenses began to run up at tre-
mendous rate. II horses were to be
trained, track must he built, and it
was, to the tune of s6O,000. Another
$1,000 a year went for a good trainer.
In fact, nothing which could 60 toward
insuring success was denied. hay was
bought at fancy prices, as was the grain;
it was afterward found out that every
thing was purchased at fancy prices.
But, after all, the main thing was to
win some races, in order to make repu-
tation. The third year fine string of
horses were sent out on the grand cir
cult; result, second place in two Races
and third in another. The manager
and trainer expressed great satisfaction,
and said that the horses had done Won
derfully we'll for their first appearance.
Two more years passed; the horses Won
few seconds and number of thirds,
but never a first. The bills continued
to grow, buildings didn't suit and had to
be altered, new harnesses and sulkies
were ordered, and more men engaged.
While things were thus going from
bad to worse, Mr.. Fl. met friend who
was an enthusiastic h0rseman. He in
quired who Mr.. HIS manager was and
how he liked him. He also offered to
take one of his horses and to let his man
drive in the next race. The offer was
accepted, and much to Mr.. HIS surprise,
his horse won easily. Sufficient to say,
the manager left; an investigation fol-
lowed which revealed the fact that the
manager had allowed himself to be
bought of on the track, had exac'ed
commissions on everything purchased
and had even levied tribute from tho
carpenters and builders. The racing
stable was very costly experiment, and
was sold at auction, with the exception
of four horses for his own use.
In the mean time small dairy herd
had been started for the family. This
had proved most successful. A milk
record had been kept, also a feed &C
count, which showed a balance on the
right side of the ledger. Gradually the
herd was increased, and before he real
lied it, my friend was in the dairy busi-
ness for all it was worth. This time,
however, he determined to keep his eye
on things himself.
Of course the buildings had to be al.
tered, new fences built, and the latest
devices installed. The product was to
be sold in town as certified milk, but
that was in the dim future. In the mean
time, the milk was sent to milkmau,
who paid DC. quart, not much Of
profit to be sure. However, the dairy
proved fair venture, although the ex-
penses nearly kept pace with the in
COul6. Oltti, tu0iO wac hVehiuS w "oAAy
over, and the COWS were pretty to look
at. The end of the dairy was nothing
less than tragedy. In the absence of
Mr.. Fl. abroad, the herdsman, anxious
to keep up the supply of milk, purchas-
ed fine-lOoking grade COW from deal
or. She proved very good mixer, but
the following winter the state inspectors
visited the place, and the whole herd,
with the exception of three COWS, was
for tuberculosis, which had
got in through the new cow.
The poultry department on my friends
place was, until his wife took charge OF
it, the butt for all his friends jokes
Nearly every kind of house had been
tried, over ten different makes Of incu
bators and as many different breeds of
fowls. Each man who had been in
charge had introduced new methods of
feeding, new feeds and new fixtures.
The result was lot Of hens of all sorts,
sizes and descriptions. Some, | was
told, even had web feet.
Fortunately ''in all tragedy there is
comedy" My friends place is always
beautiful, but the livestock now con-
sists of six horses, FIVE cows and some
thirty or forty hens. The good wife
runs the ranch, and Mr.. II. attends
strictly to business.-Cor. in Country
Gentleman.