CHAPTER XIV.
SHEEP HUSBANDRY AND LIVE STOCK IN ADDISON COUNTY
Antiquity of the Sheep -- First Accounts in the Scriptures -- First Peoples who Raised Sheep -- Changes of Locality -- Origin of the Merino -- Improvement in Breed -- History of the Merino Sheep -- Addison County -- Early Mutton Sheep -- Their Marketable Qualities -- The First Merinos in the County -- The Early Breeders -- Beginning of Improvement -- Magnitude of Improvement -- The Saxony Sheep -- Wool Bearing Qualities -- Comparisons Between the Early and the Modern Merino -- Descriptions of the two Types -- Great Change of Purpose by the Breeders -- Sheep Breeders' Associations -- Objects and Success -- Comparisons of Wool Product -- Peculiarities of High Bred Sheep -- How Improvement has been Accomplished -- Noted Breeders of the County -- General Benefits to the County -- Horse and Cattle Breeding in the County.
THE first account we have of the genus ovis(sheep) is found in the sacred Scriptures. Their habitat was Western Asia. Not only wool-bearing sheep, but another genus that produced only hair existed in those countries. Sheep were the most numerous and the most necessary of the domesticated animals. They furnished not only meat and clothing, but their milk produced butter and cheese before the milk of cows was used for that purpose. While the improvement in cattle is confined to the last two hundred years, and that of horses dates no farther back than the seventh century, it is known that the improvement of sheep commenced at a much earlier period.
The first people that became specially noted for the production of fine wool were the Colchians, who lived between the Black and Caspian Seas. This country could be reached by vessels passing through the Dardanelles, Bosphorus and the Black Seas. It was to this country that Jason went for the "golden fleece," twelve hundred years before the Christian era. A learned author says: "This country and its neighborhood form the favored nursery whence the improved fleece-bearing animals have gradually spread over the world. One country after another became impressed with the advantages to be derived from the husbandry of sheep. Nation after nation improved its agriculture by the introduction of the animal, till at last the Romans became pre-eminent for their attention to its culture and to the manufactures of which it is the fruitful source. It is believed that the Colchians long monopolized the growth of fine wool."
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Just at what time and by what means this breed of sheep found its way into Europe is unknown. As these people migrated westward they probably took some of these animals with them to the various localities where they settled. In later times the Greek and Roman conquests in the East favored their introduction into Southern and Western Europe. Those governments were eager to seize upon any advantages that would enrich their treasures. We now come to a more interesting period, because better known, in the history of fine-wool sheep. During the first century before the Christian era the improvement of sheep was well advanced in Italy. The flocks of Colchis and Pontus "still held their own." For a thousand years they had maintained the reputation of having the finest wool. About this time a single sheep from Pontus sold in Italy for more than seven hundred and fifty dollars. The sole object in the improvement of sheep at that early time seemed to be the production of wool of the finest quality. At length the flocks of those eastern countries began to decay. We find no records of Italian breeders resorting there after the 1st century, A. D., for animals to improve their own flocks. Sheep producing the finest wool were regarded as the best, without regard to other qualities. The Italian flocks soon attained the reputation of being superior to all others, which they maintained for several centuries. The management of flocks was brought to such perfection that a late English writer states that " as much seems to have been known about sheep two thousand years ago as at the present time." The extreme care and labor which had been bestowed on fine-wool sheep gradually relaxed, and they finally gave way to breeds better adapted to mutton purposes. The density of the population, the high price of land, and the use of lighter clothing fabrics, all tended to the decadence of fine-wool sheep. Fine wool could naturally be obtained in Spain, then a Roman province, where sheep husbandry had become a leading pursuit, for less cost than it could be grown at home. The chief sources of information relating to sheep husbandry of these early times, of which modern authors have availed themselves, are said to be the writings of Virgil, Solinus, Varro, Pliny, Strabo and the two Columellas, Marcus and Lucius.
The breed of sheep called "Merino" was undoubtedly formed in Spain. There is much obscurity as to its origin, and there seems to be no less doubt about the derivation of the word "Merino." Webster defines the word, "moving from pasture to pasture, "a royal judge and superintendent, or inspector of sheep walkers." Jarvis says: "The Spanish orthography is 'Mareno,' which signifies from or beyond the sea." Blacklock affirms that " they have received the name 'Merino' from a peculiar buff or reddish hue," while Livingstone's definition is, "governor of a small province," and likewise, " him who has the care of the pasture or cattle in general." [Note 1.]
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[Note 1]. At what stage of improvement or in what century these sheep first took the name Merino is also uncertain.
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The various breeds from which the Merino appears to have been formed have been described as "tawny," "reddish," "buff," and "black" in color. Modern writers ascribe the red and black spots that sometimes appear on the Merino of the present day to the law of atavism, a breeding back to the colors of the original sheep from which the Merino breed was formed. These instances are cited as proof of "the primary determining power of blood." In the beginning of this century Tessier informs us that "an opinion prevails in France that the Merino sheep are of American descent." The balance of evidence seems to be in favor of their Italian origin. Doubtless there was more or less admixture with other breeds. Whatever their origin may have been, and whatever the colors of the progenitors of the Merinos were, the Spanish breeders came to have a preference for white-wooled sheep. A writer of that day condemns the use of rams with black spots as being likely to produce black lambs.
Before the Moorish conquest in the seventh century Spain had become noted for its sheep husbandry. The three countries, Caucasia and the neighboring regions, Italy and Spain, nearly monopolized the production of fine wool for nearly three thousand years, to the beginning of the nineteenth century. Perhaps we have underrated the difficulty of forming a new breed of sheep, like the Spanish Merino, out of material so unlike. The labor, patience and skill necessary to accomplish it seem to surpass the vaunted success of modern breeders. But little is known concerning the improvement of the Spanish flocks for several centuries. The history of manufactures and the wool trade throw a faint side-light on the condition and numbers of the flocks. The Spanish language is said to be specially barren of works on sheep husbandry. When at length more information concerning their sheep was obtained, it was found that they existed in immense flocks; that they had been bred "in and in" from time immemorial; that each flock had its own peculiar characteristics, and that they were mainly in the possession of a comparatively few men who had sufficient influence to control the legislation of the kingdom. Merino sheep had now become the admiration and envy of every nation of Europe. While exportation of the sheep was forbidden, the country was enriched by the sale of the wool; a contraband trade in Merinos was continually carried on across the Eastern Pyrenees into France. The countries of Europe felt keenly the injury they sustained by being dependent on a foreign country for all their fine wool. Attempts were made to supply themselves by improving the indigenous breeds. This was a slow and discouraging process. At length various governments of Europe negotiated with that of Spain, and Merinos were taken to Sweden, Saxony, Silesia, England, France, and perhaps other countries. The sheep descended from all these flocks, except Sweden, have been imported to Addison county. France took the lead in improvement by establishing ten flocks in various sections, all under the control of the government. These were located at Malmaison, Perigan,
page 204 HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
Arles, Rambouillet, Cere, and five other places best calculated to accommodate breeders and test the hardihood of the sheep under different conditions. There has undoubtedly been more money paid for imported French sheep by Addison county breeders than for all other Merinos ever brought to the country. The amount paid by S. W. Jewett, A. L. and M. Bingham reached nearly one hundred thousand dollars. It is doubtful if many of these imported French sheep were of pure Spanish origin. Tessier, who was inspector of all the government flocks, states: "A belief prevailed that at the fifth, fourth, or third mixture, according to the breeds, rams issued from cross-breeds might be regarded as full-blooded, true Merinos; they were made use of and sold accordingly. This opinion spread itself with great rapidity, as it was entertained by Daubenton and Gilbert. The error took deeper root from the authority of these two able men."
In tracing the history of Merino sheep in Addison county and the important industry resulting therefrom, it will not be expected we should enter into the general history of sheep, nor of Merinos in particular, further than given in our opening pages. Interesting as that history might be, we can only refer the inquiring reader for specific and exhaustive treatment of the subject to such treatises as that of Youatt, Lasteyrie and Livingstone; nor can we in these pages analyze or explain the terms and technicalities used to express stock, breed, genus, variety, family, etc., but deem it sufficient to use the word variety to designate local flocks in this country.
Somewhat partisan discussions have been at times indulged in, and affirmations made as to whether any flocks of to-day can be traced, with any degree of certainty, pure, to any of the flocks or cabannas of the choice Transhumentes, or to the plains of Estremadura and Leon. On this point we will make only a single remark: the discussion of this subject in a spirit of candor and fairness, as has usually been the case, has not only led to careful research in regard to the origin of flocks, but to spirited and kindly strife and emulation in efforts to make the favorite flocks really the best, thereby enhancing the value of each. The all-important question for these pages is, what was the condition and status of the Merino sheep when introduced into the county more than seventy years ago, and what progress and improvement has from time to time been made? What the condition and developed interest, or industry, at the present time? If improved, by what means and by whom, and the crowning results as an historical fact in the county?
The first Spanish Merinos that came into Addison county were from the importations of Consul Jarvis, which took place in 1809 and seq.. They did not reach Addison county until 1816. Horatio Seymour's sheep came from the Jarvis flock and were brought in about 1816 and 1817. In 1820 he was reported to have the best flock in the county. Colonel Sumner, of Middlebury, had some of the same kind and part of the same flock. The Spanish Merinos that
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were brought from England were from Lord Western's flock, and were pure blood; they arrived in the country in 1845 or 1846; they were light color, thin fleece, long necked, free from wrinkles, and heads and legs not well covered. S. W. Jewett brought them here. These English sheep proved to be inferior and died out. In 1851 William R. Sanford made a tour in Europe for the purpose of investigating and purchasing; he went to Spain, France and Germany, and examined the flocks of Saxony, Silesia, France and Spain, and purchased in France and Silesia; he brought in some small, choice flocks; they soon passed away, however, because they could not compete. The Rich and Atwood flocks and their descendants have largely driven out other varieties.
Previous to 1816 the wool grown in this county was of a very inferior quality, grown on a common or native sheep and manufactured for the garment of the family, and home-made. In the year above named Merino sheep were introduced into Shoreham (Addison county) by Zebulon Frost and Hallet Thorn.[Note 1].
In an agricultural address delivered in 1844 by the Hon. Silas H. Jenison, late governor of the State, he says: "Several individuals, awakened to the wants and capabilities of the county by privations and embarrassments, experienced during the interruptions of our commerce with foreign countries before and during the war with Great Britian, did, with great expense and incurring the penalty of all innovations, being laughed at by their neighbors introduce into the county the Merino sheep." Among others besides those mentioned who engaged in this beneficent work were R. Weeks, Daniel Chipman and George Cleveland. About that time, or a few years subsequent, the writer remembers well the introduction of quite a flock into Bridport by John B. Catlin, and into Addison by General David Whitney. Others whose names are not now remembered introduced them into different towns. It is remembered that there was much talk about the new sheep, some approving and others holding it to be a useless innovation.
In 1823 the Andrew Cock's flock of about one hundred were brought to Shoreham by Jehial Beedle,[Note 2] Elijah Wright. and Hon. Charles Rich. This flock was divided, and by an arrangement between the parties Mr. Beedle became the owner of one-half, and Mr. Rich and Elijah Wright of the others; these latter were subsequently divided and one-half came into the hands of J T. Rich, son of Charles Rich; one-fourth went to Tyler Stickney, and one fourth were bought by Erastus Robinson -- which three flocks became principally the foundation of one of the great divisions of the two leading varieties at the present time.
It is safe to say there was not much improvement made on the original stock first introduced in 1816 for twenty
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[Note 1]. Goodhue's History of Shoreham. [Note 2] The modern spelling of this name is Bedell.
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years after their advent into the country, nor until the Saxony fever of 1826 and 1827 (the time of their introduction) had had its run and died away, after which the few flocks that had not been absorbed, either in the native crossing or with light-wool and tender Saxony (Escurial Merinos), once more began to claim the attention of far-seeing breeders, who found that if the beautiful little animal was to be saved from annihilation as a distinct race, and the pecuniary benefits that might accrue from their preservation were to be realized, they must set earnestly about breeding them pure and improving them as best they could.
Notwithstanding the amalgamation of the races at, and for many years after, their introduction and the near obliteration of them as a pure breed, they had, with surrounding circumstances, accomplished a wonderful revolution in the county. During the war with Great Britain in 1812 a very great demand sprang up for even the native wool. Manufactories being established at the same time, helped the demand. Hence the Merino, coming in this very favorable time, soon made good returns for investment, there being a large demand for rams to cross on to the native sheep. Many rams were raised besides the pure breed; half-bloods found a ready market at one price, and as fast as three-quarter blood ewes could be raised, three-fourths blood rams could be sold for about twice the value of half-blood, to use on the improved ewes, as very many farmers were not able to purchase what were then called full-bloods, which were sold from $40 to $1,500.
In the mean time flocks of sheep, well kept on the then almost virgin soil, increased rapidly, and the weight of fleece per capita increased as fast as the size of the flocks, which added to the farmer's wealth in a double ratio, and to the happiness and comfort of their families as well. While wool sold at from fifty to seventy-five cents per pound, wealth increased; farms were enlarged, and this soon became the greatest wool-growing county of the State, or of the United States.[Note 1].
Governor Jenison, before alluded to, showed (same address) by the census of 1840 that Addison county in that year, in proportion to territory and population, had "a greater number of sheep and produced more wool than any other county in the United States. Taking eleven towns (one-half of the number in the county) most favorable to the keeping of sheep, they will be found to have possessed more than one sheep to each acre of improved and unimproved land, or more than six hundred and forty to the square mile." It is remembered by the writer that almost every small farmer kept one hundred or more, and from that up to one and two thousand, as their means and facilities for keeping permitted. Those large flocks, by continual crossings of Merino blood, became, as far as fineness of fiber, felting properties and weight of fleece, essentially Merino. In general appearance, also, they had put on the
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[Note 1]. Goodhue's History of Shoreham.
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Merino type; and one riding along and passing many flocks, unless he had the practiced eye of one who had studied the habits and characteristics of the race, might easily mistake the high-bred grade for the pure-bred sheep. Thus, as before stated, no effort had been made to improve the imported Merino itself, they being considered perfect. The only quality sought was fine wool to supply the multiplicity of manufacturing interests springing into existence throughout the Northern States. With the introduction of this variety of sheep at this favorable time, and under the auspicious encouragement of large manufacturing interests, the solid foundation of an industry was laid, the finished superstructure of which is now enjoyed by the third and fourth generation.
Allusion has been made to the Saxon sheep; they are so interwoven with the sheep husbandry of the county, that a brief notice of their introduction and the results will prove of interest. The first importation, and a prominent one, as showing a good representative flock, was, according to Consul Jarvis, imported into Boston by Messrs. Searl Brothers in 1824; this was followed by numerous other importations. With the Searl importations came Saxony shepherds, and, most of all, the dangerous diseases foot-rot and scab; diseases very fatal to sheep and wool interests, because highly infectious.
About 1825 General Sumner, of Boston brought into Bridport six or seven hundred splendid Merino sheep, and, on the arrival of the Searl importation of Saxony, bought for crossing on his flock quite a number of rams of this blood, brought them to his flock, and with them introduced the foot-rot. He had Saxony rams for sale and held them for about twice the price of Merinos.
The improvement of the average sheep from the introduction of the Merinos in 1816, as far as weight of fleece is concerned, with a commendable advance in quality, was, upon the introduction of Saxony in 1826, very satisfactory. The average fleece was raised from about two and a half pounds to four per head, and the best flock to five pounds brook-washed wool. The rage for fine wool and the almost universal crossing of the very fine and short broadcloth wool, which was encouraged by the highly discriminating tariff of 1828, in favor of fine over medium wool, reduced the gain as above given back again (in 1840) to the low average of two pounds and five ounces each sheep, without any corresponding advance in the price of wool, as was confidently expected."
A decided reaction in the fine-wool mania had set in as early as 1834, and breeders began to look about for the pure-bred Merinos again; but most of the splendid flocks had been entirely lost by absorption. Only here and there a flock throughout the whole country could be found that could be traced with any degree of certainty to importations of the Spanish Merino. The flocks left, and with which we are most concerned in this history, originated from the flocks of Stephen Atwood, of Watertown, Litchfield county, Conn., the Andrew Cock flock of Long Island, N. Y., known as the Rich and Beedle sheep, and the Jarvis, imported by himself.
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[Note ]. Census Returns.
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The French division is mostly represented by those introduced by Alonzo Bingham, of Cornwall, from the importations of John A. Tainter, of Hartford, Conn., and the importations of S. W. Jewett, then of Weybridge. Some parcels from other flocks have from time to time been introduced into the county, none of which, however, forms the basis of the flocks of this time, unless possibly we except the flocks of the Cutting Brothers, now deceased.
In describing the Merino sheep as they were when they came into this county, it must be said (if we record the truth as we understand it) that the illustrations of the breed as shown in many of the books devoted to sheep hubandry, are poor caricatures of the beautiful Merinos, as we remember them fifty years ago. Perhaps memory is at fault, or the artists of those days were unskillful, or those of the present time given to overdrawing; but any of those probabilities fail to explain an honest difference between the illustrations and the real appearance of the animals which were the foundation of our present flocks. The improvement has, indeed, been wonderful and the benefits far-reaching. Yet, the early Merinos were a beautiful type of excellence; small, but compact, with short legs, broad back, short neck, and head broad between the eyes, moderately large-boned limbs and symmetrical in configuration, with moderate folds, or corrugations, mostly confined to the neck, and pendulous flank covered with a coat of fine glossy wool, which was brown on the outside and opening clear white in some and in others a rich cream-yellow tinge. The average fleece, when shown in good condition, washed on the sheep's back, would, for the flocks of all ages, be from four to four and a half pounds; rams from six to eight pounds. They were sheep of remarkably good constitution, easily kept and hardy; mostly fed in winter in yards beside the barn or at stacks, sheep sheltering barns at that time being unknown. Such was the appearance and condition of such flocks as Whitney's, Catlin's, Seymour's and others from 1828 to 1832, and the Cock flock when seen at Bedell's and Rich's in about 1830 to 1833. The Jarvis sheep were not quite as good sheep in 1842 to 1844, but they had good coats; the Jarvis, especially, being ungainly in shape, taller, longer in the leg, but with a beautiful coat of fine, long, spiral, or crimped wool. Such was the appearance and qualities of this flock at that time; all of which became extinct or absorbed in other varieties, except the Cock, Atwood and Jarvis flocks, which are the parental ancestors of nearly all of the improved American varieties of to-day. The Atwood sheep were darker coated than the Jarvis or Rich sheep. Tlle first cross on grade sheep gave the progeny a much stronger appearance of Merino blood.
We purpose now to record the progress and improvement, as far as we can, that has been made from the beginning, described in the foregoing pages. It is to be observed that up to 1840, or there abouts, almost the entire object of the improvement and enlargement of the flocks in this county had been for the purpose of raising wool for the manufacturing markets; which, on an average of yearly prices from 1812 to 1833 had been very profitable;
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but the fall in the price of wool in 1839 and 1840, combined with the reduced weight of fleece resulting from the crossing on to nearly all the flocks the light, finewool Saxony, thus cutting into the wool income both ways, caused a serious interruption of this great industry and in the financial interests of farmers, from which, from the purely wool-raising stand-point, they have never recovered. [Note 1].
Hence it was that in order to obtain fair returns from the manifold flocks abounding everywhere through the county, it was necessary to raise the standard of weight of fleece per sheep, while not materially injuring the quality as now demanded by the manufacturers. The Saxony fever had subsided, and farseeing men began to inquire and earnestly search for the original Merino that had so filled the coffers of a large community. From the small number of the pure Merino sheep left, to rejuvenate and save from utter ruin the whole sheep interest became the purpose, and it was quickly discovered that an objective point in raising Merinos might be made, much farther reaching in its practical results than merely raising more pounds of wool from a given number of sheep; for though wool-growing must always be the ultimate end of the whole business, still, in the new and impetuous forward movement in this county, the prime object was rapidly changed from wool-raising to that of raising thorough-bred sheep for the more remote markets, where sheep can be kept and wool raised cheaper than here; hence the large flocks kept exclusively for wool-growing have continually diminished, and with many the entire business has been abandoned. Small flocks are, however, still numerous, and almost the entire number of men engaged in sheep raising do so to sell pure-bred sheep for the continually growing markets of the whole country. This practice, started by a comparatively few men, has caused a sharp competition throughout the county and in many other places; but to Addison county belongs the credit of the birth and cradling of this trade in this manner. It is confidently believed the competition and rivalry was, and is now, one of the powerful incentives to the vast improvement of the sheep itself; each breeder striving to produce the best, in order to secure the highest prices and establish the best reputation for his flock, and for himself as an intelligent breeder. These motives have led along and up the rugged pathway to the present success of both shepherds and flocks. Another stimulating cause in the improvement of the Merino sheep has been and still is the agricultural societies, both State and county, culminating in the great international expositions of the different parts of the world, affording healthful competition and stimulus towards bringing the various flocks together, whose breeders there compare notes. Our breeders have exhibited great energy in representing their flocks at the world's expositions, where they have appeared with credit to the nation, and especially to the county where they dwell.
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[Note 1] Goodhue'sHistory of Shoreham
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Another decided help for the last ten years in perfecting and developing sheep husbandry in the county, comes from the Sheep-Breeders' and Sheep-Shearers' Associations, with their registers of flocks and individual sheep. Two of the breeders' associations have been organized in this county. These associations include members from all parts of the country where Merino sheep are raised, as well as from Addison county, although the headquarters and meetings of the associations are located here. The objects of these organizations are to furnish and record a correct history of the Merino sheep, their origin, importations, breeding and development in this country, illustrated with likenesses of the original Merinos, in contrast with the improved sheep at the present time; the historical parts of the two volumes thus far published are enriched with portraits and biographies of eminent men and noted breeders of these sheep. And lastly, to furnish a carefully prepared register wherein none can obtain a record but those that come in through the hands of a searching pedigree committee, with conclusive evidence to them of purity of blood, the ewes of which have never borne lambs from coarse grade or mutton sheep, the Sheep-Shearers' Association holds annual public shearings where the sheep and fleeces are weighed by a competent committee, memoranda kept of sheep and fleece, the number of days' growth of wool and age of sheep, after which a report is made and published of the whole shearing, with such remarks as are deemed important. The "Vermont Merino Sheep-Breeders' Association" is the oldest and largest of these bodies and contains members from every State where the improved sheep has gone. Very numerous are the flocks registered; its secretary, Albert Chapman, of Middlebury, Vt., has been untiring in his zeal for the general good of the members, and improvement of the registered sheep.
The "Vermont Atwood Merino Sheep Club" is the other association alluded to, with headquarters in this county. It was organized at a comparatively recent date, but the membership, according to Secretary Hammond's report at the annual meeting of January, 1866, is now one hundred and fifty-one. The club is efficiently managed and is accomplishing a great amount of good. It embraces many of the leading breeders of this locality, and in the hands of such officers as Hon. W. C. Smith, George Hammond, F. D. Barton, Hon. R. J. Jones, H. Thorp, S. G. Holyoke and C. M. Winslow, and other eminent breeders of this variety of sheep, cannot fail of rapid growth and strength.
The foregoing explanation of the change of object and the incentives and inducements leading up to the improved Merino, brings up the unanswered question --Of what does this improvement consist and how marked the change? We answer that in the first place the weight of carcass has been increased from twenty to twenty-five per cent. This statement is made without any record of facts derived from actual weights of the early Merinos; such practical tests
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were not common in those days. But the conclusion is forced upon us after careful thought and the remembrance of weight of a few individual sheep, and the general recollection of them in early days, coupled with what we see and know of the flocks of the present time, with recorded weights at the Sheep Shearing Association's weighings. In volume two of the Merino Sheep-Breeders' Register , beginning on page seventy-eight, are the following weights: Thirty-six rams, three years old and over (footed and averaged from the weights given), 126 1/2 pounds; nineteen yearling rams, ninety-seven pounds; twenty-one two-year-old ewes, seventy-seven pounds. From the best information we have, the average rams of the early times would not reach more than from ninety to one hundred pounds, and ewes from sixty to sixty-five pounds. While the weight of sheep shows about twenty-five percent. increase, the advance in wool has been at least one hundred per cent. From the same tables we learn that from the thirty-six rams above alluded to was shorn an average of thirty-one pounds one ounce of unwashed wool, or about twenty per cent. to carcass. The two-year-old rams cut on the average twenty-eight pounds and fourteen ounces, or twenty-five per cent. to carcass. The yearling rams' fleeces weighed twenty and one-half pounds; average per cent. to carcass, twenty-five per cent. Ewes in the same table averaged nineteen pounds and eleven ounces, twenty-six per cent. to carcass. From all the sources of information, from the beginning down to the present time, it is learned that the wool has not only been doubled in quantity, per capita, but a much larger per cent. has been added in proportion to weight of carcasses. These added together make an enormous gain (everything else being equal) in the intrinsic value of the sheep for wool purposes alone. It has been thought by some that the very great increase of wool per sheep has been obtained at the expense of quality and cleanliness; but by the most thorough practical tests of measurement made (2d vol. M. S. B. C., pp. 99-100) by Dr. H. A. Cutting, secretary of the Board of Agriculture, of the fibers of a large number of samples of the Atwood variety, and the other standard varieties, it is shown that there has been a decided improvement in fineness of fiber and evenness of fleece, crimp and felting qualities. By the further tests of scouring fleeces fit for the cards, it is shown that there has been a decided gain over former tests in the direction of length of staple. As a rule the compactness and solidity of growth of the whole coating far excels that of the earlier sheep. Dr. Cutting found in a fair sample of the improved sheep 222,500 fibers to the square inch, indicating extreme fineness; and when we remember that large bare spots on the inside of the forearm and inner thigh have ceased to appear, and that long, compact wool covers the belly, and nearly covers every square inch of the external surface, including legs and head, down to within two inches of the end of the nose, we can easily account for the one hundred per cent. gain of wool since the sheep came into the county.
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When the lover of fine wool and fine sheep opens one of those fine and weighty fleeces on the sheep's back, and beholds the beautiful luster of either the golden or the silver-tinted fleece, and admires the native perfection of its growing locks, he can better appreciate and more fully realize the import of the figure of three thousand years ago, when the prophet exclaimed to the ancient Hebrew: "Though thy sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
To the improvement in weight of sheep and the advanced condition and enhanced value of fleece must be added the improved constitutional development and beauty of configuration, which, taken all together, make the choicest domestic animal we possess. The first flocks of Merino sheep, as before stated, were rather small and light, but as a whole were good looking, well-rounded, compact in form, lofty carriage, and of apparent good constitution. But the general make-up of the standard flocks of to-day, as a whole, far excels the early prototypes, in that they are of good size, larger, broader and deeper chested, wider in the loin, with heavy and well-proportioned quarters, standing erect on four large, strong and muscular legs set wide apart, and countenance and facial expression almost beaming with intelligence, as it looks up to its owner or shepherd for food and protection; and in graceful movement exhibiting beautiful curved lines, artistic folds, corrugations, or rich mouldings, making the entire configuration of such rare beauty that the brush of the painter, the chisel of the sculptor, or the skill of the engraver is not likely to overdraw it.
The skillful breeder seems to have weeded out every defect, and bred on every lacking point of beauty and excellence that would add to the value of the animal, whether in wealth or weight of wool, or fanciful style of appearance. Indeed, fancy and utility have gone hand in hand, until now the absence of any one point in style or excellence, or fashionable merit, very much reduces value. A black spot on the nose or lips as large as a half-dime ruins the sale to the breeder who sells thorough-bred sheep, though the animal might be perfect in every other respect; the butternut colored ear, face or legs, common to the early Merinos, have disappeared, and now no ear or face is standard without half of the ears next to the head are densely covered with wool, and where the wool breaks off an elevated ring or fold encircles it, and the remainder, or tip, must be thick, with a soft, downy, fur-like coat, as fine to the touch as a piece of silk velvet; and so of the face -- the small space not covered with wool must have beautiful curved folds nearly to the end of the nose, with the same glossy, silver-shining coat as the ears. Black stripes in the hoof or horn would send the possessor to the market for mutton; hoof and horn to excel must be of a light creamy hue. The large, broad and sharp-angled horn on rams of the ancestral pattern has been exchanged for a moderate sized one, gradually sloping back toward the head till a crescent is formed, then bending outward to the tip, the whole forming a beautiful systematic curved line which adds very much to the attractive appearance of the
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the sheep. No ewe, to be standard, must have any horns. We have never seen published in the various descriptions of modern Merinos any account of these last-named graces (allowing the expression), but it is well known that their presence or absence enters largely into the profit and loss of the breeder. If a sample sheep of fifty years ago could stand side by side with one of the first class of this day, one would discover a vast and radical change, and the wonder might be how so radical a transformation could have been accomplished. [Note 1].
Indeed, the Ethiopian can never change his skin nor the leopard his spots, or man and beast their natures; but variety in the same genus or species, paradoxical as it may appear, is as endless as the sands of the sea shore or leaves of the forest. No two of the human family have facial expressions alike; nor are the configurations, make-up and clothing of any two beasts alike; and it is through this endless variety in the genus or species, together with hereditary descent through nature's unchanging laws, that the intelligent breeder finds the key to success, though he may never have " o'er books consumed the midnight oil."
Holding to the corner-stone that like begets like, out of infinite variety the breeder selects for coupling to secure important ends those that have the greatest number of good points, or to secure a given desired quality those that have the coveted improvement in the largest degree; knowing that if hereditary taint or poor qualities crop out in the tenth generation or more, so good and beneficial excellence are sure to follow in the train of this great natural law.
To secure the results attained, long, careful and patient thought and continued perseverance in experiments and practical application have employed the intellectual powers of the men engaged in breeding;[Note 2] they have sometimes gone deep within the circle of consanguinity and at others diverged far from the line of kindred (if only blood was there) to secure the goal. Other and minor means have contributed to the perfections of this husbandry. How far isothermal lines or more immediate climatic inflence, or the rich natural herbage everywhere abounding in Addison county, or the added variety of food -- such as shorts, grain, oatmeal, etc., that have been used to some extent more than formerly -- have served to fix the peculiar and valuable type of sheep that constitutes entire flocks of this county, and which type is so much sought for abroad, it is impossible to tell; but, without doubt, to a considerable extent. Also the commodious, well-ventilated and expensive sheep barns, furnishing comfortable shelter
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[Note 1] The learned scientist, Prof. Agassiz, has said " that in the most searching microscopic examination of the ovules of oviperous animals there could not be discovered the least difference in the elements of each, but in life development each came true to its genus, even to the color of the feather of the duck; and by analogy the same was true of the higher class of animals, men included. [Note 2] The late Edwin Hammond was heard to say he had studied for many days how to cross this ewe or that, to accomplish certain desired points.
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from the wintry storms of this latitude, as well as from the scorching sun during the extreme heated term, and the chilling autumnal rains, have had their beneficent effect over the methods in vogue in the past. Some of these modern barns are not only models of convenience and comfort for sheep, but are likewise of striking elegance and beauty, adding much to the value of the home. They are in marked contrast with the unpretentious dwelling of the average farmer of three generations ago.
All of these favorable surrounding circumstances, together with the enthusiastic skill of the admirers and breeders of this valuable race, have been instrumental in producing the grand results we have noted. The men engaged in this industry are numerous. The skill and assiduity with which they have pursued the business and the wealth brought into the county thereby have enabled other laudable enterprises to spring up and advance; and the industry having furnished more means for education and the diffusion of general intelligence throughout the county than any other, it is believed these men are entitled to be called public benefactors.
We have not space to record nearly all the names of the men who helped to begin this industry, but enough may be noted (without drawing invidious comparisons) to give a fair and impartial history of its inception and continuance. Among those who began the improvements of the pure Spanish Merino sheep before 1830 was W. R. Sanford, and between 1830 and 1840 were Messrs. Merrill Bingham, Charles and J. T. Rich, brothers, and Virtulan Rich, son of J. T., Hon. Charles Rich, Tyler Stickney, Erastus Robinson, L. C. Remelee, Prosper Ellithorp, and D. and G. Cutting, brothers. In their hands the business was eminently successful and they were soon able to furnish stock rams for the improvement of other flocks, and after a little while ewes to start new flocks of pure Merinos. Mr. Bingham started from a Mr. Buck's flock, of Lanesborough, Mass. The Cutting Brothers' first sheep were from Rhode Island, bought of Messrs. Munger, Murray and Bundy. Perhaps some Merino sheep came into the county from other places that have not been remembered, or not recorded. We make this note here for the reason that all the pure-bred sheep here or brought here about that time or later (except the Cock (Rich stock), Jarvis and Atwood (the latter introduced in 1840)), became absorbed in the three branches, Cock, Jarvis and Atwood, which varieties formed the foundation of all the improved sheep in the county; these three working into and becoming consolidated into two great trunk lines or varieties, viz.: The pure Atwood and the mixed variety with the Cock (Rich), Jarvis and Atwood crossed together. Perhaps the Cutting flock, as first constituted, came nearer forming a base for theirs, but this noted stock has been very much shaded towards the two fundamental flocks. It may be safely recorded that at this time those two varieties stand prominently as the foundation of the race that is now bred in Addison county. On the decease of Hon. Charles Rich, his flock went into the hands of his sons, John T. and Charles, jr.
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J. T. Rich, sr., bred his half of the flocks with painstaking care and only during his lifetime " made a small dip "of Jarvis blood.[NOTE1]. He refused to sell many ewes and made his improvement by crossing with his own flock. His early death left in his two sons' hands (J. T., jr., and V. Rich) an exceptionally pure flock, and on the death of J. T., jr., the flock rested in the hands of Virtulan Rich, and is still one of the best flocks of the county.
Tyler Stickney, the veteran breeder of a part of the Rich flock, bred and improved them for fifty years with perseverance and skill, and after his death left them with sons who inherited their father's qualities in this respect. Erastus Robinson, who started in 1836 with the purchase from Charles Rich, jr., of a one-fourth of the famous flock, bred them with boldness and skill, crossing on the Atwood variety, and at the time of his death, in 1854, left one of the best flocks in the county.
The Cutting Brothers, long since dead, left to those that came after them a rich inheritance, in not only the fame of their flocks, but a merited solid worth, which was appreciated by the many who have bought from their highly improved stock.
The living men of this group who helped to lay the foundation of the great industry, whose locks are now whitened by the frost of many winters, have at least contributed a fair share to the perfecting and enlargement of a laudable enterprise; some of them have retired from the business and left their experience with younger men, while others pursue with added years the care of the flocks they have loved so well; we leave their commendation to be penned by later hands.
Contemporaneous breeders of a little later date, who have become eminently successful, are such men as Edwin Hammond, R. P. Hall, R. J. Jones, A. Bingham, V. Wright, N. A. Saxton, L. B. Gregory, and others. We name these as representative men constituting a large class of breeders as early as about 1844.
It is worthy of note in this connection that to Alonzo Bingham, above named, belongs the credit of introducing and raising the standard of excellence never before acquired in the French sheep (Rambouillet), John A. Tainter's (Hartford, Conn.) importation. In his hands they soon became a noted flock. Soon afterward Solomon Jewett, then of Weybridge (an early breeder), imported a large number of the French variety, and after being bred by himself and others with indifferent success for a few years the whole French variety became unpopular, and all, including the early fine flock of Mr. Bingham, disappeared from the county. We are not aware of any of that variety being bred here now, other than a small number owned and bred by E. G. Farnham, of Shoreham, and H. E. Taylor, of Cornwall.
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[NOTE 1]. Goodhue's History of Shoreham.
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A majority of the foregoing named men who were illustrious in the sheep interest are now dead; the others are still successfully engaged in the business. Pre-eminently at the head of all sheep breeders, by common consent, stood, while he lived, Mr. Edwin Hammond. He and Reuben P. Hall started the Atwood variety, as a flock, first in the county, in substantially the following manner: In 1841 Charles B. Cook, esq., of Charlotte, Vt., bought and brought to his home quite a number of sheep of Mr. Atwood, of Watertown, Litchfield, Conn., thus introducing them into the State.[NOTE 1]. Several Addison county breeders, hearing of them, visited Mr. Cook, saw the sheep and noted their good qualities. Among them was Mr. Hammond, who saw an opportunity which resulted in his and Mr. Hall's large purchase in 1884, and other purchases from time to time. From this introduction has grown the present success of the Atwood variety.
For further description of eminent and successful breeders it is believed it will be sufficient for this history to add a succinct and happily worded paragraph from Child's Gazetteer of Addison county, substantially as follows: "It is remarkable that since 1850 to the beginning of the last decade, and in a single county, so many skilled breeders and so many flocks of such excellence could be found as those of Hammond, Sanford, R. J. Jones, Wright, Saxton, Jewett, Ellithorp, Robinson, Rich, Stickney, Gregory, A. L. and M. Bingham, and Stowell, with others that might be named. It is mainly owing to these men and others that Addison county gains the reputation, which it still retains, of being the center of the Merino sheep interest of the world."
It would be superfluous, and space will not permit the mention of the flocks, or the names of anything like a moiety of the three hundred and forty-seven breeders of improved Merino sheep that are now engaged in the industry in this county; but it becomes necessary as a matter of history, and to show improvements made, to name a few of the men who are prominent breeders, and their excellent flocks, that the present industry may be comprehended, as compared with its beginning; we add the remark that there are many other flocks of at least equal merit, and which show as much thoughtful care in breeding as those named.
As standard flocks that tell their own story of breeding may be mentioned the following: Those of V. Rich, E. N. Bissell, J. P. Stickney, H. C. Burwell, C. P. Crane, J. J. Crane, C. D. Lane, J. L. Buttolph, Cherbino & Williamson Company, G. D. Bush. The above represent mixed blood, or Cock stock, with crosses of Jarvis and Atwood blood intermingled therewith. The following are standard breeders whose flocks represent the Atwood variety alone: R. J. Jones, George Hammond. F. D. Barton, A. A. Farnsworth, L. P. Clark (deceased), W. R. Sanford & Son.
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[Note 1]. Mr. Cook guarded the blood of his flock with great care until the fall of 1881, when he sold his entire flock of ewes to R. J. Jones, of West Cornwall.
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In the flocks named, and the many others, will be found all the improvements that constitute the beauty and real intrinsic merit of the modern sheep in the two great branches of improved American or Addison county Merinos, over their ancestral parentage. It is pertinent to the history of this industry to say, before summing up its beneficial results, that it has had, and will probably continue to have, periods of spasmodic inflation and contraction; and wider still will be the margin between the two extremes when, as on all stock animals kept for breeding purposes, there must inevitably be more of a fictitious or nominal value than an intrinsic one, which not only makes them more sensitive to the great law of supply and demand, but to every incidental circumstance that goes to the enhancing or shrinkage of values. But when the world consumes annually 1,121,519,000 pounds of wool (as per census of 1870), and the United States import, manufacture and consume 51,044,444 pounds more than is raised in this country (as per census report of 1880), and when we consider that the vast majority of the sheep of the world need improving in quantity and quality of wool; to keep pace with increased consumption, the plain inference is that all the improved sheep we can raise for very many years to come will be wanted at an average of remunerating and satisfactory prices. The poor years for prices are good ones in which to cull and improve flocks.
In trying to sum up the beneficial results of sheep husbandry, or of the great industry connected therewith, statistics are very meager. If we could have the number of annual sales, with the prices obtained, for the last twenty-five years, we could, after estimating the cost of keeping and other expenses, and deducting the sum total from sales of sheep and wool, state with a degree of certainty the value derived from this source; but in the absence of proper data it is more a matter of opinion formed from the surrounding circumstances; but the conclusion forced on the mind by the bettered condition of those engaged in the business as a whole, the improvement on the farms, the better buildings, both house and out-buildings, and the general thrift everywhere noticeable; the added facilities for education and general intelligence is, that all these are circumstances going to show that a fair share of the substance of an enterprising and wealthy farming community is due to this industry.
In the Vermont M. S. B. A Register, second vol., page 106, is the following record: "At page 70, vol. one, we stated that during 1877 twenty-nine and one-half car loads of improved Merino sheep were shipped from one station (Middlebury) to points west and southwest. The demand for these sheep has yearly increased since the association was organized. In 1880 over twice the number of car loads were shipped from the same station than were shipped in 1877, and in 1881 seventy-one car loads, containing six thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven sheep, were shipped from the same station. The shipments do not include quite a large number shipped in small lots and by express."
page 218 HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY
The Merino sheep interest of this county has assumed such proportions that a fuller account of this trade seems to be required.
Previous to 1843 the sales of Merinos were made at the farms where they were bred, and chiefly to breeders in our own State. As there were no railroads in Vermont at that time, men came in wagons and bought rams for about ten dollars a head, fifty dollars being an exceptionally high price. It was ascertained that many breeders were deterred from buying on account of the lack of convenient transportation. The Saxony fever had spent its force and there was a general demand for what was then called "Old-fashioned Merinos" or "Regular Merinos." The names of the Spanish flocks, as Paular, Escurial, etc., had not then come into use.
The business of exporting Merinos for sale, which has since grown to such magnitude, was commenced by R. J. Jarvis and S. S. Rockwell, of Cornwall. About the year 1843 they took a small flock, which were disposed of in the north part of this county and in Chittenden and Franklin counties. Flocks were taken to Rutland and Windsor counties, Vt., and to Essex, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties, N. Y. The prices obtained were about ten to fifteen dollars per head. Others engaged in the enterprise, but for several years the business was chiefly in the hands of Cornwall men. S. B. Rockwell, H.A. Pinney, C. W. Foot, M. S. Keeler and others were exporting Merinos previous to 1850.
The business soon extended to Central and Western New York, where better prices were obtained. The flocks were generally driven from this county to Whitehall, or taken there by steamer from Frost's Ferry and Larrabee's Point. From Whitehall they were shipped, at first by canal, to their destination. The railroad was prohibited by law from carrying freight during the season of navigation.
Notwithstanding the inconveniences of transportation, Addison county Merinos were taken to Michigan and Ohio as early as 1846. Many flocks were taken by steamer from Buffalo to those States before a railroad had been constructed on either side of Lake Erie. New men became engaged in the business and large numbers of sheep were taken to other Western States. Ohio has undoubtedly invested more money in Vermont Merinos than any other State. An intelligent gentleman of that State estimates that the sheep-breeders of Ohio have paid two million dollars for Vermont Merinos.
Previous to 1860 the trade was almost wholly confined to States east of the Mississippi River. In January of that year A. L. Bingham, of Cornwall, shipped a considerable number to California by way of the Isthmus and put them on the Brannan ranch at Nicolas.
During the same month the firm of Jones & Rockwell, which had been foremost in distributing Merinos in the States, shipped about an equal number to California. This firm made eight other shipments during the next three
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years and disposed of them all along from San Luis Obispo to the Umpuya and Willamette Valleys, in Oregon. The prices ranged from two to five hundred dollars in gold.
Previous to the time of the Civil War the home trade had made large gains. The increased facilities for travel and transportation, the desire of western breeders to see the original flocks from which the sheep purchased at their own doors had been taken, constantly brought new customers to our county. During the War of the Rebellion a large number of new men engaged in breeding and exporting Merinos. The trade became immense, and prices were even higher than during the War of 1812. E. C. Eells sold a single ram in Ohio for six thousand dollars. Mr. Hammond sold one ewe for three thousand dollars. A good lot of ewes would readily sell for one hundred dollars per head and upwards, reaching in some instances five hundred. During the time of low prices succeeding the war many breeders abandoned the business, but since the revival of the sheep trade many thousands have been sent to Kansas, Colorado and Texas. F. D. Boston, of Waltham, sold forty ram lambs for ten thousand dollars to parties in Australia, and E. N. Bissell, of Shoreham, took a small number of sheep to that country. An enterprising gentleman, Everard C. Eells, of Cornwall, took a number of Addison county Merinos to the Argentine Republic, South America, in the summer of 1885, where they were sold at remunerative prices. Judging by the fulfillment of the prediction made in 1845 by an Addison county breeder that the time might yet come when our sheep would be wanted in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, may we not expect that in the near future our Merinos will be taken back to the land of their origin and find ready sale in nearly every country of Europe?
Mention should be made of the coarse-wool or mutton breeds of sheep. But few of these that are known to be of pure blood have been brought to this county. No breeding flocks of any considerable size have been established here. At an early day wealthy gentlemen brought in a few, which they kept chiefly to supply their own tables with mutton. Some of these were from the importation of Corning & Satham, of Albany, and from the flocks of E. P. Prentice and Mr. McIntyre. In 1845 Paris Fletcher, of Bridport, had a small number of Leicesters, which descended from the flock of Mr. Norton, of Greenwich, N. Y. The Leicester breed gradually gave way to the more hardy Cotswold and South Down sheep. Even these are valued chiefly for forming crosses with grade Merinos. Other coarse-wooled sheep of less pretension to purity of blood have been obtained in Canada. For a number of years succeeding 1840 large numbers of grade Merino wethers, three or four years old, were fattened for market. This business afforded a small margin of profit. At the present time those engaged in fattening sheep prefer lambs, which they usually buy in October. Lambs that weigh seventy pounds in October have attained the weight of ninety to one hundred pounds by the next April.
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An increase of twenty-five pounds in weight and two cents a pound in price is considered by those engaged in the business as more profitable than feeding cattle. Grade Merinos are found to be as profitable to feed as those having more of the blood of the English mutton breeds. Among those who are engaged in breeding or feeding sheep for market may be named E. D. Wilcox, of Bridport, A. T. Smith, of Vergennes, Henry and C. D. Lane, of Cornwall.
Mr. Wilcox is an extensive dealer in sheep and cattle, and breeds about 200 lambs a year for market. While the profits of mutton sheep are comparatively small, the market is not so fluctuating as that for the pure-bred Merino for which this county is so celebrated.
The large shipments from year to year tend to show that the statement of Mr. Hammond, made twenty-five years ago or more, is now being fulfilled: That "if we improved our opportunity and advantages, Addison county must be the great depot from which the stock must be drawn to rejuvenate and replenish the flocks of the world."
The question has been asked again and again, and still returns, whether the special feature of this enterprise is long to continue. It is believed it will. The reasons for this belief are numerous and need not be entered into here; but it is reasonably certain, in the rapidly growing country, and the constant widening field of demand for the best and purest products of the sheep breeders of Addison county, they need not fear the approach of stagnant markets.
HORSES.
The breeding and raising of horses in Addison county runs parallel and contemporaneous with the sheep and cattle industry; all of which were rapidly developed when the products were in a great measure changed from wheat growing (from 1825 to 1830) to that of stock raising, a change caused mostly by the failure of wheat by the destructive little insect, the weevil.
The peculiar adaptation of our climate, soil, and easy production of hay of the best quality, with rich and succulent pasture feed, rendered this county a fit starting point for the intelligent farmer to begin the raising of stock; and the persevering industry of the people in pursuing the enterprise has rendered the county famous for its beautiful horses; animals embodying every good quality, especially quick and graceful movement, with docility and kind temperament, coupled with quiet endurance as workers and roadsters, and of almost human intelligence. These qualities make them sought after over the whole country, and profitable returns are received, making them one of the three great interests to the farmer of this agricultural community, viz., sheep, horses and cattle. The original horse stock was constituted of such as were common in the States from which the immigrants came.
The early improvement began in 1810 by the introduction and keeping in Middlebury by E. P. Jones, esq., for three or four years, a beautiful full-blood
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Arabian horse called the "Young Dey of Algiers"; his descendants formed an excellent breed. Among the more notable in the early history of the county since that time was "Old Messenger," an imported English horse, from which, and his descendants, the stock has been from time to time improved.[Note 1].
General Timothy F. Chipman became the owner of him at an advanced age, and kept him for eight or ten years. He was said to be of the hunting breed, of a red and roan color, fifteen and a half hands high; in every point well proportioned, and in form and movement was regarded as a perfect model of his race. In activity and gracefulness he was never excelled by any horse ever kept in the State. With General Chipman mounted on him he would leap almost any fence or ditch, enjoying such feats as a pastime. He left much of his blood here, traces of which the writer has frequently seen within the last twenty-five years. To him, as a sire, we attribute that superiority in the race for which the town of Bridport was noted at an early day. He was as celebrated at the time for his qualities as the Black Hawk Morgans are now.
Bishop's Hambletonian was introduced about seventy years since, and was kept several years. His progeny were of a dark bay color; well formed, rather tall in proportion to the weight of the body; were good travelers and high spirited; among the best horses for the road, and were favorites in the market in their day. Much valuable stock in the county originated from him. "Post Boy," introduced by Colonel Joel Doolittle, was kept in Shoreham and Bridport for several years. He was the sire of a race compact in form, of hardy constitution, which were regarded as a valuable stock for all purposes, and by some they are thought to be excelled by no other.
The "Sir Charles" was introduced about the year 1825 by Abraham Frost, and was kept in Shoreham and Bridport by David Hill, esq. "Tippo Saib" was brought to Shoreham soon after from Long Island by Abraham Frost. The progeny of both of these horses were generally dark bays, well formed, stout, capable of performing much service, good for carriage and the road, and were highly esteemed for their many valuable properties; their sires were of pure English blood.
About 1825 Allen Smith, of Addison Town Line, introduced into Bridport and Addison his celebrated horse "Liberty," who, for beauty of shape, grace of movement, and endurance, has never been excelled, especially as a saddlehorse. Mr. Smith (as many old inhabitants well remember) rode him at one time from Troy, N. Y., to his home in Addison Town Line, a distance of one hundred miles, in one day, between sunrise and sundown, or in twelve hours' time. It is to be regretted that no definite pedigree of this horse can be found, but circumstances, together with marked traits and family resemblance, tend to show that but a few removes backward would trace him to the noted saddle
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[Note 1]. From Goodhue's History of Shoreham we learn that a horse named "Brutus," of pure English blood, was brought to this country by a British officer in the time of the War of the Revolution.
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horse "Brutus," owned by General T. F. Chipman, before described. Allen Smith also introduced and kept for considerable time a pure English bred horse called "Pone"; both of these early celebrated horses left much valuable stock which, with the others before described, laid the foundation for the reputation and valuable qualities of the horses of Addison county.
There were some other horses of more or less good qualities, but not of equal note as the foregoing, scattered through the county, which, mingled together, comprised the stamp and style of horses at the time of the introduction of the Morgan horses with their branches, which are the overshadowing and widely prevailing stock of the present time. They originated from the horse generally known by the name of "Justin Morgan." There is no difficulty in tracing this horse in pedigree through "True Button" to "Traveller," an imported horse owned by General Delancy, on the sire side. The dam of Justin Morgan, with equal probability, goes back to the Arabian horse "Godolphin," in England. The noted studs sired by Justin Morgan were "Woodbury," "Sherman," "Bulrush," and "Revenge."
From these four, and principally from "Woodbury" and "Sherman," sprang all of the Vermont Morgans, and hence those of Addison county. It might be interesting to some to trace the pedigree of all the branches of this race of noble animals, but in doing so it would soon be discovered there would be wide discrepancy in their pedigree as traced by different and sometimes partisan persons, over which there has been considerable pen and ink controversy. We think the people as a rule will be more interested in the record of the qualities of the different branches of this famous stock as introduced into this county, and their improvement since and results obtained therefrom. In their early introduction, or soon after, Mr. Weissinger, one of the editors of the Louisville (Kentucky) Journal, who made a tour through Vermont and other Eastern States and took pains to examine the best horses of the general Morgan breed, as quoted by the Cultivator, says: "There is no doubt whatever of this, that the breed of the Morgan horse was and now is, in the instances where found, far the best breed of horses for general service that was ever in the United States, probably the best in the world. And it is remarkable that this breed was, and is now, known by many striking peculiarities, common to nearly every individual." From the "Woodbury" branch of this stock many years ago the sales were seldom made for less than two hundred dollars, and from that to fifteen hundred.
The "Black Hawk" and his descendants are more generally found in this county. He was bought of Benjamin Thurstin, of Lowell, Mass., by David Hill, esq., of Bridport, and introduced here in the year 1844. Mr. Weissinger, before quoted from, says of him: " I think he deserves all the praise that has been bestowed on him. He is the finest stallion I ever saw. His legs are broad and flat; shoulders well set back; loin and backbone very strong;
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length of hip beyond anything I ever saw; as quick as a bullet from the rifle, in breaking; head and neck faultless; in motion mouth open, crest sublime, legs carried finely under him, square and even, and fore legs bending beautifully. "
The introduction of these horses has proved highly beneficial to the county. Many have been raised by the farmers and found a ready sale at from $150 to $2,500 each, and that before the services of the stock horse became so high. Several years before the death of "Black Hawk," so popular and valuable did his stock become, his services were extensively sought for at $100 the season; and still later several of his get, viz., "Ethan Allen," "Sherman," bred by B. J. Myrick; "Ethan Allen, jr.," "Delong Horse," "Dan Lambert," and "Hero," stood at from $80 to $100 the season, and fast bloods of these horses have sold at fabulous prices.
In relation to sales and prices it is pertinent to say there has not been so much fluctuation in the prices of good horses as in those of other kinds of stock, or property of other industries. When railroads began to be built, two rival lines running through Addison county, it was by many predicted that the sale of horses would be ruined and the interest in raising them would consequently die out; but the reverse has been true; the demand has been largely increased. The facility of taking them readily and easily to the great seaboard marts, and the fact that the use of oxen for team work has become obsolete, with the increased desire of inhabitants to rush along at railroad speed, and other circumstances, have combined to keep up a steady and increased demand for horses, with consequently increased prices for the average good horses.
As trotting horses enter largely into the profits of horse-breeding, history must needs record enough to give a fair idea of this branch of the business. The American Cultivator of January 23, 1866, states the number of horses that had made better time than 2.19 3/4. We have not space to record the names of all, but of the number the Vermont Black Hawk family is represented by nine performers. The Vermont "Black Hawk" strain is also found in the dams of some of the representatives of each of the other families above named. The writer in the Cultivator, in summing up his article, pays the following compliment to Vermont "Black Hawk": "Among trotters in the vicinity of New York city that have gained notoriety for their excellent qualities as gentlemen's roadsters are two very handsome daughters of 'Daniel Lambert,' that can trot in 2.35 to pole; a pair by Delong's 'Ethan Allen' that can show a good rate of speed, and the old veteran 'Captain Emmons,' 2.19 1/4, by 'Continental,' grandson of 'Ethan Allen.' For beauty and style, combined with a good degree of speed, the descendants of Vermont 'Black Hawk,' especially the Ethan branch of the family, have no superiors."
The people of Addison county are slow to fall in with every new notion
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recommended as an improvement, either in farming machinery or new and highly extolled stock; still they are quick to detect real merit in modes and methods that will make an acre of land bring to its owner the greatest amount of profits, and to discern any growing demand for new kinds of stock caused by the ever-changing surrounding circumstances; and some one of characteristic, far-seeing energy and pluck will, in spite of prejudice, boldly enter the arena of competition and pluck the coveted prize.
By the introduction of mowers, reapers, self-binders, sulky plows and spring-tooth harrows, and a great variety of other implements, combined with the age of the cropped soil, and the necessity of going deeper and bringing to the surface more of the tenacious but fertile sub-soil, has caused a growing demand for heavy team work, a class of heavier draft horses; such horses are also being more and more called for in the cities for heavy work, causing a large demand for such animals. So there seemed a call for some enterprising man in our county to supply the required team horse. By the energy and foresight of F. A. Woodbridge, of Vergennes, this necessity has been met by the importation in March, 1884, at great expense, several mares and stallions of the world-famed Percheron horses. These are all thorough-bred animals. The stallion "Romulus" is No. 1976, Percheron Stud Book of France, No. 3191 Percheron Stud Book of America; is a beautiful dapple gray, stands seventeen hands high, and weighs 1700 pounds. "Favori," No. 1974 Percheron Stud Book of France, No. 3971 Percheron Stud Book of America, is also dapple gray, sixteen and one-half hands high, and weighs 1650 pounds. In making the necessary inquiry about these horses we have, in the absence of F. A. Woodbridge, obtained the above information, with many other valuable points and incidents, from the Hon. F. E. Woodbridge, father of the owner, and from him received a circular which says: " The success which has followed the importation of my Percheron stallions has been far beyond my expectations." To show the estimation this valuable race of horses is held in at large we quote from Forest K. Moreland, a great admirer of the Percheron horse, and an enthusiastic writer, who says, in an article to the Breeder's Gazette, of Chicago, about these horses: " Since 1851 the Percheron horse has crossed the Alleghenies, the Ohio, the Wabash, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Rockies, and everywhere thrives, grows in favor, and maintains his imperishable individuality; and now in closing we remark that this great horse, which has grandly survived the dark ages; this great horse, which by the Norman French chivalry was ridden to glory on every European battlefield of medieval times; this great horse, before whose thundering charge in the first crusade the Moslem cavalry was driven like chaff before a hurricane; this great horse, on whose back the warriors of Normandy conquered England, controlled France, and long held the whole of Europe in awe; this great horse, whose composition is the epitome of the three most puissant races of his genus, and whose proud name has for
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ages been recognized by all the standard literati and by all English-speaking nations and provinces, as an historic commemoration of the all-conquering nationality that perfected his form, and bred for nearly one hundred years on both sides of the British Channel; this great horse, whose industrial laurels, won during our era, in every part of the world, are as faceless as the destrier laurels he won in a former period-his unequaled merits, illustrious achievements and universal fame are now the heritage of all the people of France." We not only congratulate Mr. Woodbridge on the success of his enterprise, but the farmers of Addison county on the addition of this noble race of horses to the valuable bred-up stock already famous.
Among the noted breeders and stock farms of Addison county, devoted more or less to the breeding of fine horses, are the following: Joseph Battell, esq., of Middlebury, on his extensive farms not only breeds first-class horses, but is authority on pedigree and history in all of the details of all the breeds known; (he has "Daniel Lambert" and others with considerable Lambert blood); Nelson W. Partch, New Haven, breeder of Hambletonian and Clay stock; Andrew J. Squier, New Haven, breeder of Clay horses; W. H. Delong, West Cornwall, breeder of Ethan Allen horses. H. T. Cutts, Orwell, breeder of fine Lamberts; F. A. Woodbridge, Vergennes, breeder of Percheron horses: R. W. Sholes, Orwell, breeder of Lambert horses; H. T. Gaines, Panton, breeder of Bruno and Brutus horses; F. J. Arthar, Shoreham, breeder of Ethan Allen horses; G. W. Whitford, Addison, breeder of Lambert, called Rusher.
There are many more, perhaps, of equal merit as breeders in the county, but enough is recorded to show the drift of the breeding at this time, and that there are not wanting men of genius in the industry to insure honor and profit to themselves and credit and benefit to the whole people through the amount of wealth brought in, and consequently the means for social, moral, mental, educational and religious improvement.
CATTLE.
If Addison county excels in the beauty and excellence of her Merino sheep, and has a wide fame for horses, so are her cattle second to none, and though in detail in breeding and raising to full-grown merits there may have been considerable difference, still these three great industries of this agricultural county, viz., sheep, horses and cattle, are triplets born of the same generous soil, under the same sunshine and climate, and nursed and fondled by the same parent, of the same enterprising community.
As noted as this county is for its fine cattle, and representing as it does every well-known foreign breed that has been introduced for improvement upon the native stock, or for keeping pure for raising stock to sell for others' improvement, it is a matter of regret that the records of the early
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introduction are so meager as to make it very difficult to trace with much accuracy the breeds introduced at or near the time of the transition state of the county from wheat to cattle, in 1829-30.
Notwithstanding the paucity of records, it is known that many bulls of the large and beef-producing qualities were crossed on the native stock. The resulting cattle, fed on the excellent hay and rich food the pastures produced, soon became noted in the market for their fine mottle and rich, juicy, toothsome beef. The butchers and dealers in Brighton market soon learned by touch and handle to distinguish the Addison county steers from others, and gave them the sobriquet "lake steers," and " lake oxen," " lake cattle," etc., which names are continued to the present time as a mark of superior excellence.
In relation to the absence of records, as early as 1844, Governor Jenison in an address at the county fair in Middlebury, said: "I venture the assertion, wherever a favorite animal is found, could the pedigree be traced, in most instances you would not go many removes backward before you would run against some of the imported improved breeds of stock."
At an early day Thomas Byrd, of Vergennes, and soon afterward General Amos W. Barnum, of the same place, introduced into that neighborhood a considerable number of English cattle; they have been called ever since their introdution "Barnum's breed," from which the large and handsome cattle of Ferrisburgh spring more than from any other breed. They were large, broadbacked, heavy quartered cattle, mostly red in color, and the cows very good milkers, probably a variety of Durhams, perhaps crossed with Teeswater.
Not long after the introduction of Barnum's cattle Job N. Hunt, Joseph Smith, Hon. John S. Larrabee and Aziel Chipman introduced bulls into Shoreham, and John Rockwell into Cornwall; a little later bulls of that breed were in nearly all of the towns of the county, and by 1850 cows purchased from imported herds were here; Devons, Herefords, Ayrshires became almost as common as the Durhams. Wightman Chapman, then of Weybridge, kept on his farm an excellent Ayrshire bull several years between 1830 and 1840.
Scarcely any of the blooded cattle that came into the county were kept pure in their variety, but were indiscriminately mixed and crossed in every direction till almost the entire stock became one homogeneous mass, with a dash of every favorite foreign blood flowing in their veins, the Durham cropping out, perhaps, most, Devons next, and Herefords least. Since 1860, however, owing to the radical change in the objects of keeping cattle (which we will notice more fully further on), the different herds have been bred distinct and many of them are registered stock. Up to 1850 or thereabouts there were very many more cattle kept and sold yearly in this county than at the present time. Every considerable farmer added to his income from his annual clip of wool for sale, and his three-years-old steers; some of the larger farmers raised but
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few, but on their yearly sales of three-year-olds would take about one-half of the money and buy two-year-olds of the small farmers or outside of the county, where feed was not so plenty and kept only to supply the yearly demand for the two-year-olds. Parcels of steers might then be seen all over the county in herds of from ten to one hundred head, and those were the steers so much sought for in market (all grass fed) as "lake cattle," Vermont furnishing more than one-half of the cattle in market, and Addison county, or "lake cattle," more than any other county according to amount of improved land. Western beef was not then exported. Early in the cattle history there were two packing houses in the county, one at the center of Shoreham, conducted by Wright, Rich & Company, the other at first by Burchard, Terrill & Company, perhaps a short time by others, and next by John and Joseph Simonds, and after Joseph's death by John Simonds for about twenty-five years, closing in 1860. A Mr. Thomson, of Portland, Me., packed a few years in the same establishment, when it was found the beef-packing business could not compete here with the great houses of Chicago and elsewhere West, where cattle were abundant, and the business was abandoned. The first-named company did not pack beef for many years, nor more than one to two thousand each year, while Mr. Simonds packed from four to five thousand head, usually the latter number, and continued the business for about twenty-five years.
The cattle killed and packed in these establishments every fall were not nearly all drawn from this county, but from all through the western part of the State, and many from St. Lawrence county, N. Y. But these houses had for that long period very much to do with the cattle interest of the county.
The price of beef, and consequently of cattle, from 1825 to 1860 was never more than one-half as much per pound, dressed weight, as the average since that time. But the demand for the packers, with Brighton market dealers, made the trade always brisk, and one having beef cattle for sale could dispose of them at the ruling price almost any time. The packing trade took the coarser and cheaper grade, while the best formed and fattest went to the seaboard markets. Still Mr. Simonds's agents, in order to secure the number he required, had to purchase many mixed lots that were by them sorted, and the choice market cattle were re-sold to Boston dealers, or sent to market by himself. The cause of this method of business was, that barrel beef did not require as choice stock as the fresh-beef markets, nor would the price of beef in the barrel warrant as much per pound as the fresh-meat market; all of which trade sometimes produced sharp competition.
Mr. Simonds was a strictly honorable and intelligent business man; was always considered by the people of the county a public benefactor; and in the twenty-five years he packed beef he slaughtered over 100,000 cattle at a cost of two millions of dollars, and acquired a fortune (including what he gave his children while in the business) of $300,000, his estate settling at the time of his death (about 1870) for $262,000,
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nearly all growing out of his cattle trade centered in this county.
As before stated, prices of cattle were much less on the average before 1860 than since, and in years of drought or money stringency were subject to great depression in price. Mr. E. D. Willcox informs us that in 1845 his father, Deacon Abner Willcox, furnished four hundred beef cattle to Mr. Simonds for packing at $3.00, $2.00. and $1.50 per hundred, and the next year (1846), 800 fat sheep were sold from his estate for 75 cents per head; this agrees with our recollection when many cattle were sold for $3 for what was inspected extra mess; $3 for navy mess; $2 for NO.1, and $1 for prime or No. 2; and when those numbers were raised $1 per hundred each the farmers thought prices were paying and satisfactory. Of those numbers the first were fat steers and oxen; second, fat-cows and heifers; third, slim and poorly fatted cattle, and prime or No. 2 were made up of thinnish bulls and cows culled and not long from the dairy. Labor was much less and keeping very much cheaper in those days than now, and when three-year-old "lake" steers sold for from $25 to $30 each; two-year-olds from $12 to $15 each, and good fat oxen for $5 per hundred, dressed weight, the farmers were doing well and satisfied with the profit of the cattle industry.
In the early history of the county very little butter and cheese was made more than was used for family consumption; but after 1825 there began, with the increase of cattle, to be some surplus, which was taken to the stores and exchanged for goods, the merchants emptying the pail of butter into a half hogshead of brine kept in the store cellar for that purpose, until enough of different lots was received to fill a hundred pound firkin or more, when it was packed and set away and kept until the merchant went to market (usually Troy) for goods; cheese was also bought in the fall, and butter and cheese went with him to help purchase his six months' stock of goods. There are many living now who can remember good butter bought in exchange for goods at from 8 to 10 cents per pound, and cheese sold in the same way for from 4 to 5 cents per pound. In the decade beginning with 1840, there being better facilities for marketing, there was considerable advance in prices of both butter and cheese, and, payments for the larger lots being made in cash, dairies as a part of the cattle interest began to slowly spring up; good lots of firkin butter brought from 12 to 15 cents per pound, and cheese from 8 to 10 cents. These interests, being fostered by many and enlarged with varying success, but as a rule with increased prosperity, led to careful selection and breeding of the improved stock with a view to greater milking qualities for dairy purposes; more attention was given to the Ayrshire breed, they being claimed as excellent milkers; the Devons were also pushed forward, being backed by their friends as having rich butter qualities, though it was sometimes admitted they did not give as much milk as others; but it was claimed that this was more
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up by better quality, and also that they were superior for oxen and were easily fattened, and produced superior beef. About this time Sanford's importation of Devons came in, and others.
These rivalries and the consequent attention to better breeding had a tendency to increase the dairy interest and slowly decrease the number of cattle kept for beef purposes alone, which state of the cattle trade went along down to 1860, at which time the whole cattle industry was fully ripe for a radical change, in the means sought to obtain the end desired -- that of getting the greatest returns for the capital invested. After 1860, and the commencement of the War of the Rebellion, the price of beef and dairy products advanced very rapidly; the unprecedented circulation of currency representing the value of great quantities of property changing hands everywhere; the demand for provisions for feeding so many non-producing men, with the depreciation of the currency caused thereby, advanced the prices of all the necessaries of life to a fabulous degree; and butter and beef being staple articles of food, felt the feverish and heated pulsation to a remarkable extent. Beef cattle of the first class ran up to $12 per hundred live weight, and butter touched half a dollar a pound; cheese corresponded with a market value of fifteen cents per pound. This state of values pertaining to cattle interests made lively times; middle-men increased in numbers, which made competition brisk, all having a tendency to force up prices. In the rush of these stirring times, to make an acre of land produce the best returns, the dairy interest came out ahead; and a great change in the kind of stock kept; the establishment of weekly markets in the large towns, and, after a little, in all the towns, furnished ready facilities for turning in cash every week the quantity of butter made. The starting of several cheese factories in the county (two in Orwell, one in Shoreham, one in New Haven, and perhaps others), combined with the butter markets alluded to, very soon made the county chiefly a dairy county, instead of mainly a beef-producing county as before.
As a result we no longer see the large lots of fine steers as before, but everywhere cows; not because fat cattle pay less, but that cows pay more. We are credibly informed by a long resident there, that Ferrisburgh, which used to be the banner town for beef, has not a single lot except, perhaps, a few pairs of nice oxen; and what is true of this town is, with a few exceptions, true of the whole county. There are a few large farmers and dealers that keep and turn annually large numbers of fat cattle, many of them of the very best quality; some of these deserve notice. Two pairs of six-year-old oxen were purchased of J. Q. and George Adams, of Ferrisburgh (by E. D. Wheeler, a large dealer), one pair of which weighed 4,060 pounds, the other 3,950, live weight, understood to cost five cents per pound. Hon. A. T. Smith, of Vergennes, a large farmer, has fifteen hundred acres, the largest part lying in New Haven; keeps two hundred cattle (besides sheep and horses), one hundred of which are
page 230 HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
steers; the others mostly cows; he sold in 1884 one hundred and fifty three-year-old steers that averaged a little over 1,200 pounds live weight each. E. Allen, of Ferrisburgh, has lately sold a pair of oxen that weighed 3,645 pounds. F. P. Booth, of Ferrisburgh; E. S. Wright, of Weybridge; Hon. C. W. Read, and Byron Smith, of Addison, and others, are dealers, and keep fine beef stock.
Aikins Dukett, of Bridport, with a farm of 1,400 acres, sells about one hundred beef cattle annually, besides sheep and horses. E. D. Wilcox, of Bridport, one of the largest and most successful feeders and dealers of fat sheep and cattle, has a farm of 1,000 acres; uses 800 for grazing purposes, fattens about three hundred cattle annually; the best lot he has fattened on hay and grass alone, were a lot of forty-five three-year-old steers, sold in market September 1, 1867, which averaged, dressed weight, 850 pounds, for which he received $90 each. J. N. Payne, Bridport (raises fine Ethan Allen and Lambert horses and first-class Merino sheep), keeps from one hundred to one hundred and thirty choice cattle; has usually twenty cows; raises his calves of high-bred Durham stock, and sells every spring twenty three-year-old steers before turning to pasture; has sold thus early for several years for $50 each. A pair of oxen sold by Buell Brothers, of Orwell, in fall of 1875, tipped the beam at 4,850 pounds. Michael D. Leonard and his sons, of Shoreham, with a farm of 1,500 acres, turn yearly two hundred or over of fat cattle.
Others might be named who still keep and fatten beef cattle as a specialty; but enough has been mentioned to show this feature of the cattle interest at the present time, and we turn now to the more important part of the industry, viz., dairying and breeding different stock. The butter interest has increased until the annual product is 2,000,000 pounds in round numbers, and 600,000 pounds of cheese, manufactured in four or more cheese factories, and at this time two butter creameries in New Haven; the balance in the many single farm dairies.
The preponderance of dairy interests has brought to the front the breeders of pure stock of the different varieties, some of which we will name in order to show the interest in that line; most of these farmers keep dairies in connection with raising stock. Many of these cattle are registered. As breeders of Jerseys we name J. T. Lamos, Bridport; J. G. Wellington, M. A. Williamson, T. J. Faar, Jos. Battell, Middlebury; E. J. Matthews, Cornwall; W. B. Wright, H. T. Cutts, Orwell; L. R. Hopkins, Whiting; and E. B. Douglas, Shoreham. Of Durhams, F. and L. Moore, E. Tottingham, Shoreham; T. S. Goff, Hiram Merrill, J. S. Wilmarth, Addison; Loyal Wright, O. S. Stow, Weybridge; M. Satterly, Vergennes; C. E. Abell, J. T. Branch, Orwell. Of Ayrshires, Charles Merrill, Addison; T. Hooker, Cornwall; H. Hammond, Middlebury; J. B. Conkey and E. L. Warren, Orwell. Of Devons, C. P. Morrison & Son, Addison; F. T. Atwood, J. C. Kelsey, M. S. Sheldon, Salisbury; A. J. Stow, Weybridge. Of Alderneys, J. W. Boyce, Middlebury.
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The first Holstein importations of any considerable amount were made about eighteen years ago, since which time they have rapidly gained in favor in Vermont, combining, as it is claimed, excellent milking qualities and great weight of good beef. These cattle are the least numerous as yet in the county. Excellent stock of this variety is represented by C. L. Kimball, of Ferrisburgh; he is a young, enterprising farmer, and has several head of registered animals of that breed. George F. O. Kimball, of Vergennes, owns a thorough-blood Holstein bull, purchased by H. W. Keys, of Newbury, Vt., and sired by the celebrated Holstein bull "Benjo," weight 2,500 pounds.
The celebrated and fertile "Cream Hill" (Shoreham) stock farm of 300 acres, belonging to B. F. Bates's estate, now owned principally by his successor and son-in-law, H. B. Hammond, 9 East Fortieth street, N. Y. city, and farmed by D. F. Macauley, manager, has one hundred and ninety head of cattle, forty of which are pure Holsteins. The oldest, or imported stock, is registered in the H. H. Book in Holland and all in the H. H. Book of America. The exceedingly watchful care of this stock, under Mr. Macauley, is performed by an imported herder who well understands their management in Holland. They are kept on the rich pastures of the farm in summers, and go into their stables about the middle of November, and remain without going out until spring; are bedded with clean saw-dust and groomed every day; clean food-boxes are before the cattle, where hay, shorts and meal are fed, and outside of these there is a trough covered with lids where clean water runs from which they drink. The cattle's tails are held from the floor and all filth by a cord suspended from the ceiling above and fastened around the bush of the tail. The forty head of the Holsteins are composed of twenty cows; one bull, "Indian Chief," coming five years old, which weighed in the fall 2,250 pounds; several cows weighing from 1,500 to 1,700; one two-year old bull, and four bull calves. The others to make forty head are young heifers. The manager informs us that there will be no cows or heifers sold until the herd reaches one hundred cows, and the ultimate design of the owner is to make a model butter dairy farm. To this end there is kept a strict record of the daily weight of each cow's milk, and records from time to time of the butter made from each cow. In seven days of this last record we noticed on his book several best cows from whom fifteen to nineteen pounds of butter were made in seven days. No bull is used except those whose ancestors are proved to be extra milkers by practical tests.
This farm was managed in the lifetime of Mr. Bates by A. C. Harris; the stock and management of the farm was in the line of Merino sheep and Lambert and other Black Hawk horses, and the large number of barns were fitted for that specialty; but since the present management, the objective point being changed, a barn to accommodate the Holstein dairy is to be built, 42 X 160 with 24 feet front, which, with the others now adapted to the object now in view, it is thought will accommodate the number of cattle the capacity of the farm will
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require. The Cooley system of butter-making has been adopted, and the butter made has found a ready market the past season in New York houses at from twenty-five to thirty cents per pound. We have recorded the plans of this farm at length on account of the boldness of the enterprise and the unstinted way in which capital has been applied to insure success in the undertaking, and the interest with which the people of the county will watch the development of the costly outfit.
We would like to record the names of other solid dairymen scattered all over the county, and the many competitive modes of making the most, and best, butter and cheese, and thereby the largest annuity from a given number of acres of ground, but space will not permit. Only one more dairy with somewhat new appliances and appurtenances can be mentioned.
Mr. Harry Everest, of Waltham, keeps a dairy of sixty Jersey cows, mostly thorough-bred, and uses a steam separator by which the cream soon after being drawn from the cows is separated from the milk and churned after ripening, making butter that has sold readily, we are informed, the past season for thirty cents per pound. He also sells to the Burlington houses sweet cream at good prices.
Notwithstanding the value of the cattle industry in all its branches, the wealth and great blessings that have been enjoyed through a bountiful Providence, growing out of this manifold enterprise, it is common to hear young farmers complain of the unsatisfactory results, at the present time, of raising and fattening cattle; or of the meager returns of the dairy product. They often exclaim that the whole business is unprofitable; that twenty cents per pound for butter, ten cents for cheese, and for first-class market fattened cattle, steers and oxen, five cents per pound live weight is ruinously low; and that the shrinkage of values is so great that in this county they cannot compete with the great West for fat cattle, nor with the extensive creameries and factories of Iowa and other rich producing places for butter and cheese, but in consequence must give up and turn their attention to more profitable business. To such we say, we have studied the history of Addison county with very little profit since its formation in 1785, if we have not discovered that in no single decade, or in half that time, down to 1860, has beef, butter and cheese brought so much by one-third as it has for the past two years of 1884 and 885. The trouble is, we only look at the business in contrast with an anomalous and abnormal appreciation of prices caused by the vast inflation and circulation of a depreciated currency incident to the greatest internecine war that ever ravaged a country. The wonder is, perhaps, that in the crash of arms, intensified by modern improvements of implements of destruction, these industries and the nation's fostering care had not gone out in darkness forever; thankful should we be that through the recuperating energy of fifty millions of people in time of peace these great industries "still live," and are brought to their normal condition and true basis of supply and demand.