94
HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
CHAPTER
IX.
AGRICULTURE -- WHEAT -- TRANSITION
FROM GRAIN TO STOCK -- SHEEP.
THE
tract of land west of the mountains, embracing the valleys of Lake Champlain and
Otter Creek, when first cleared up, was as celebrated for the production of wheat
as Western New York has since been. It was the principal staple among the productions
of the County. The following facts will give some idea of the value of this crop.
At the close of the last war with Great Britain, the people of the County were
almost hopelessly in debt. At the June term of the County Court in 1817, the number
of civil causes entered at that term, amounted to more than five hundred, and
nearly all for the collection of debts. This pressure of indebtedness was wholly
relieved by the crops of wheat raised in the County. The very cold, dry and unproductive
season of 1816, had rather increased than diminished the pressure. But the following
season of 1817, brought to the relief of the farmers more luxuriant crops, especially
of wheat, than any other within our recollection. The excessive drouth of 1816
had prepared the stiffest soils to be thoroughly pulverized by tilling. Large
fields were sown; the season, with its gentle and frequent showers and genial
sunshine, was most favorable, and the crops singularly abundant. The winter following,
the price of wheat in Troy, the principal market, was from two dollars to two
dollars and twenty-five cents a bushel; the sleighing was excellent, and was faithfully
and industriously improved by the farmers, and the large returns brought great
relief to them. The favorable crops which followed had, three years after, in
June, 1820, reduced the whole number of new causes entered, to ninety-eight.
But
the insects, rust and frost have, in late years, greatly dimin-
95
HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
ished the crop and discouraged the farmers. But it is thought
the farmers might without much trouble, raise sufficient for the bread of the
County, if they did not choose to direct their attention to more profitable husbandry.
Good crops of corn and potatoes, and large crops of beets, carrots and other roots
for stock are produced, and the latter are becoming common among the farmers.
Except on the hills and rising grounds, the soil is generally too stiff to be
advantageously cultivated for these crops. But most farmers have patches of land
suitable for raising them in sufficient quantities for their own use. Oats are
produced on almost any of the lands, which the farmers have courage to till sufficiently.
Rye, barley and buckwheat are also raised to some extent.
But
the soil of the County is best adapted to the production of grass and the raising
of stock. And no County perhaps, in this or any other State can exhibit a finer
or more abundant display of horses, cattle or sheep. It is the common opinion
of farmers, that grass, grown on the clay or marl lands of the County, is much
more nutricious, than that which is grown on lighter soils. The editor of the
Albany Cultivator, in the number for July, 1845, after visiting Addison
County, says: "Judging from appearances, it is our opinion, that we have never
seen any other land, which is capable of sustaining as much stock to the acre."
"Stock of all kinds will and do actually fatten on this hay. It is a fact
that oxen bought in the fall, in only store condition, if properly sheltered and
fed on this hay, become in the spring fit for slaughter, and are sent to Brighton
market without any other feeding." For this reason, and because of the failure
of the wheat crop, the farmers have, for the last twenty or thirty years, directed
their attention to the raising of stock, and especially of sheep. One evil has
resulted from this change in the agriculture of the County. The business of grazing
requires large farms to satisfy the ambition of the enterprising; and the large
profits have enabled the more wealthy to crowd out the smaller land owners and
send them to the west. The result has been, that, in several of the principal
agricultural towns, the number of the farmers, and of course of the population
has considerably diminished.
96
HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
Instead
of going into a detailed history of the transition from the former to the present
branch of agriculture; or the cause of the change, we take the liberty to quote
several passages from an excellent "address delivered at the annual fair of the
Addison County Agricultural Society, October 1st, 1844," by Hon. Silas H. Jenison,
late governor of the State, then a resident of Shoreham, but since deceased. He
was a practical farmer and well acquainted with the subject.
Referring
to the earliest history of agriculture in the County he says : "Among other products
of the soil, it was found as favorable to the production of wheat as any other
section of the country then open to the agriculturist. Wheat consequently early
became the staple product of the county." "Addison County became noted for the
quantity and quality of the wheat. The whole force of the farm was directed to
the increase of this crop." "During the third period of ten years, extending to
1820, the high price of wheat continued to influence the business of the farmer.
Many fields had been by successive cropping, exhausted of their native fertility.
Wheat, when sowed to the extent it had been raised for years before, became a
less profitable crop. Farmers were awaking to the importance of manuring their
old fields." And this conviction, Governor Jenison represents, was a reason that
the farmers gave more attention to the raising of cattle for the purpose of providing
manure for their wheat crops, and he adds:
"The
number and quality of our cattle was increased and improved. With many farmers,
the raising of cattle for market became the leading business. The cattle from
the County began to be prized in market, and Addison became as noted for the excellence
of its cattle, as for its wheat. The excellent grazing qualities of the soil were
known and appreciated. Indeed, I have heard it remarked, that the butchers of
Brighton could distinguish, by the appearance and feel, the fat cattle from this
part of Vermont, from those in market from other places; and that cattle from
this part of the State, of the same apparent flesh, had the preference with them,
opening better, having a greater quantity of tallow and beef of superior quality
and flavor."
97
HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
"A
circumstance, referable to this period, has had great influence on the subsequent
pursuits and prosperity of the farming interest of the County. Several individuals,
awakened to the wants and capabilities of the country, by privations and embarrassments
experienced during the interruption of our commerce with foreign countries before
and during the war with Great Britain, did, at great expense, and incurring the
penalty of all innovators -- being laughed at by their neighbors -- introduced into
the County the Merino sheep. Among the foremost in this beneficent work, were
Refine Weeks, Daniel Chipman, George Cleveland, and Horatio Seymour."
"During
the next period of ten years, bringing us to 1830, the agriculture of the County
appears to have been in a transition state." "While some of the farmers had, as
a main business of the farm, embarked in rearing cattle, and others in increasing
their sheep, many had not abandoned the idea, that wheat might still be a staple
product of the County for exportation. They still persisted in the business, notwithstanding
the increasing failures of the crop, caused by the exhaustion of the soil, ravages
of the Hessian fly, spring killing, blight or rust. But in 1827 or 1828, an enemy
to the wheat crops appeared, which baffled all the efforts of the farmer to evade.
The insect commonly, but improperly, called the weevil -- that name belonging to
an insect that preys on the wheat after it is fully ripened and harvested. The
insect alluded to is a small, orange-colored maggot, and commits its depredations
on the berry, while in the milky state, leaving the head and almost disappearing
from the grain, when ripe. By a late writer in the Cultivator, it is called
the wheat midge. As early as 1829, its ravages had increased so that, in some
towns, in the County, scarcely a field escaped."
"When
the wheat crop failed, those engaged in the business had to resort to some other
branch of farming. The tenacious quality of much of the soil of the County, forbid
the cultivation of hoed crops, and the raising of pork, as a substitute. I have
before remarked, that the Merino sheep had been spread through the County with
wonderful rapidity. Indeed, so rapidly was the char-
98
HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
acter of the flocks changed, that as early as 1824, in many towns, a considerable
flock of native sheep could not be found."
Of
the raising of horses, as a department of agriculture, Gov. Jenison has not
particularly treated. In what we have further to say, we propose to speak, separately
of sheep, horses and cattle. And first of
SHEEP
In
the address from which we have so largely quoted, Governor Jenison says, "The
increased prices obtained for wool, and the avidity with which it was sought in
market, after the passage of the tariff act of 1828, pointed to that business
as more lucrative than any other. A majority of the farmers eagerly engaged in
increasing their flocks of sheep. The result has been, that Addison County had
in 1840, in proportion either to territory or population, a greater number of
sheep, and produced more wool than any other county in the United States. To show
the truth of this remark, I refer to facts drawn from the statistical tables accompanying
the census returns of 1840, and from other sources. There are nine States which
had more than one sheep to each inhabitant, to-wit: Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maine,
Kentucky, Connecticut and Ohio, with a portion more than one; New Hampshire and
New York had about two and one-fourth, and Vermont had five and three-fourths
to each inhabitant. Should territory be regarded, Vermont will be found to have
185, New York 112, and New Hampshire 65 to the square mile."
"Addison
County, when compared with the other counties in the State, will be found to have
eleven and six-hundredths, Rutland eight and eighty-five hundredths, Grand Isle
seven and four hundredths, and Bennington six and nineteen hundredths to each
inhabitant. If territory be regarded, Addison has three hundred and seventy-three,
Grand Isle three hundred and thirty-four, Rutland two hundred and eighty-three,
Windsor two hundred and sixty-one, Orange two hundred and forty and Chittenden
two hundred and twenty-one to a square mile." "This array of figures is no idle
speculation. They represent facts, which show the immense
99
HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
stake the farmers of Addison County possess in this branch of husbandry."
If
we had the time and the resolution, we should like to draw a similar comparison
from the census of 1850. But we have neither. In order, however, to give as good
an idea as we are able, of what has been and is the amount of transactions in
this department, we have collected from a few of the principal farmers, who are
engaged in this business, some facts relating to their operations. The design
of them all has been to improve their flocks, as well by breeding as purchasing,
that they may be able to supply the market with the best wool and best sheep.
Rollin
J. Jones, Esq., of Cornwall, having decided in 1844, to engage in sheep husbandry,
proceeded to make careful selections from several of the best pure blood Spanish
Merino flocks in New England, in every instance paying for a first choice. In
his first purchase, he expended about two thousand dollars. From these have been
bred his present flock, and those he has sold of that breed. And his experience
in breeding this class of sheep, has more and more confirmed him as to their value.
Sales have been made of these in most of the New England, Middle and Western States.
In many places, where they have been introduced, they have obtained premiums at
State and County fairs over numerous competitors. In 1849, S. B, Rockwell, Esq.,
of the same place, now residing in Middlebury, became associated with him as a
partner.
Messrs.
Jones and Rockwell, since their connection, have been eminently successful. In
1852, owing to repeated applications for French Sheep, which had been introduced
into the country about six years before, they invested in the purchase of these
sheep $2,200; a part of which included a first choice from the flock of Merrill
Bingham. These sheep, they say, were the most perfect of the kind they had ever
seen. In 1853, they purchased of Soloman W. Jewett, of Weybridge, one entire shipment
of French Sheep, imported by him in April of that year. These purchases, with
some subsequently made, cost $18,000. For several years previous to the spring
of 1855, when this information was communicated, their annual sales varied from
eight to twelve thousand dollars. For
100
HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
the eighteen months next preceding, they amounted to $36,000. They have been
in the practice, as many of the principal dealers have been, of taking their
sheep for sale to the Western States, especially to Ohio. Their flock on hand,
at the date above mentioned, numbered six hundred, one half imported French
Merinos, and their descendants. They have a high opinion of the French as well
as Spanish Merinos, and think a cross between these breeds would be advantageous.
William
R. Sanford, Esq., of Orwell, and Messrs. William S. and Edwin Hammond of Middlebury,
have, for several years, been extensively engaged in breeding and dealing in sheep.
For our convenience we treat of the operations of these parties together, as they
have been, to some extent, connected, and much of our information relating to
both, has been obtained from Edwin Hammond, Esq. They both breed the pure Spanish
Merinos, descendants of the flock, which Col. Humphreys, who was at the time American
Minister to Spain, imported into Connecticut in 1802, or of the flocks, which
William Jarvis, Esq., then American Consul in Spain, imported in 1809, 1810 and
1811. These they greatly prefer to any more recently imported, or to any other
breed. The usual flock of Mr. Sanford numbers from 250 to 500. Messrs. Hammond's
flock, at this time, (1855) numbers 400, including lambs. The sales of both have
been uniformly made at home.
In
a communication from Mr. Sanford, published in the Albany Cultivator, for
September 1844, he says: "In 1829, I purchased of Messrs. Grant and Jenison of
Walpole, N. H., twenty old full blood Merino ewes, which were purchased by them,
when lambs, of Hon. Mr. Jarvis, and warranted full blood. Those I have kept distinct
and pure, and from them have reared a flock. The ewes yield an average of four
pounds and over to the fleece of clean, handsome wool. Messrs. Grant and Jenison,
bought these sheep from Mr. Jarvis before the Saxons sheep were introduced into
the country, and were of course pure; and since I have had them, I have taken
a good deal of pains and trouble to keep them so. I have purchased three superior
bucks from Mr. Jarvis, and by using them and my own rearing have kept them pure."
Since the above, Mr.
101
HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
Sanford has made several purchases, to a large amount, of descendants of Col.
Humphreys' flock. At the National Exhibition of cattle and horses, at Boston,
in October 1855, Mr. Sanford obtained the second premium on Spanish Merino bucks,
two years old and over; the first premium on bucks under two years old, and
on ewes the two first premiums; and at the Vermont State Fair at Rutland, in
September of that year, the first premium on Spanish Merino buck lambs and ewe
lambs.
In
1844, Messrs. Hammond, wishing to improve their flock and extend their operations,
examined the most important flocks in several New England States, and among others,
that belonging to Stephen Atwood, of Watertown, Conn., and selected and purchased
from his flock, thirty, and in the next four years several more. These Mr. Atwood
had from Col. Humphreys' flock, under such circumstances, that he had satisfactory
assurance that they were pure and free from Saxony and other breeds. From these
their present flock has been bred.
Mr.
Sanford and the Messrs. Hammond, having for several years increased and improved
their flocks by breeding, " in and in," were desirous of finding other sheep,
at least as good as theirs, to cross with them, and Mr. Sanford, in behalf of
both parties, went to Europe for the purpose of examining the best flocks in the
different countries, and of purchasing the best he could find. He examined the
most distinguished in Spain and France. In the former country he found none which
he was willing to import; in the latter he purchased twenty French Merinos. He
went then into Germany, and, with the advice and aid of the American Consul, at
Stuttgard, who had made himself thoroughly informed on the subject, and who accompanied
him for a fortnight, he examined the most celebrated flocks in the different States
of Germany, and extended his examination as far as Prussia, and there purchased
twenty Silesian sheep. These and the French sheep he imported. The French are
much larger than the Spanish Merinos, or their descendants, with fleeces in proportion.
But Mr. Hammond states, that the wool is not so even, varying in different parts
of the body. The Silesian sheep are smaller than the Spanish but the wool is fine.
They did not
102
HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
regard either of these as an improvement of their flocks and immediately sold
them.
Mr.
Edwin Hammond thinks the Spanish sheep have improved greatly since their importation
into this country, and especially in this County; and that there are better sheep
in the County of Addison than in any other part of the world. This opinion
is founded on his own personal examination of many of the best flocks in this
country, and the examination by Mr. Sanford and others of the most celebrated
flocks in Europe. He offered, he said, to Mr. Sanford, on his going to Europe,
one thousand dollars far a pair of imported sheep, as good as his, with
a view of crossing them with his present flock; but Sanford found none such during
his tour.
The
price of Mr. Hammond's sheep has increased every year. In 1853 their sales amounted
to $7,000; in 1854 they sold two ewes for $1200, and six others for $1200. Their
bucks that year were sold from $500 down to $10 -- the latter being culls. The whole
averaged $29, each. They have this year (1855,) sheared from two two year old
bucks, 22 and 23 pounds; in 1854, from one yearling ewe 12, and from one two year
old ewe 13 pounds. The wool was not washed on the sheep, but was clean.
Solomon
W. Jewett, Esq., of Weybridge, had for many years been an extensive dealer in
grade sheep. In 1848 he began to interest himself in pure blood sheep. He purchased
of the descendants of the Merinos imported by Col. Humphreys, Mr. Jarvis and others.
Among others he purchased the celebrated buck "Fortune," a descendant of Mr. Jarvis's
importation. Mr. Jewett raised from that buck about 200 lambs annually, which
he sold from ten to twenty-five dollars; and some as high as $50 each. He sold
several sheep sired by this buck, to Henry S. Randall, Esq., of Cortland Village,
N. Y., on which he received the first and second premiums at the State Fair at
Poughkeepsie in 1844, and with which, together with Mr. Jewett's buck, he published
a challenge for competition, to the whole country.
In
1845, Mr. Jewett imported from England ten Spanish Merinos from the flock of Lord
Weston, of Essex, who was the most noted breeder, and had the best flock of Spanish
sheep in England.
103
HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
Six hundred of these sheep, he states, having been presented, in 1803, to George
III. That king gave Lord Weston the privilege of selecting from the flock, when
first landed at Plymouth. These Mr. Jewett thinks were much inferior to the
best flocks in this country. From the above, and some other additions, he kept
for several years a flock of from 500 to 600 blooded sheep.
In
1851, Mr. Jewett went to Europe, for the purpose of examining and purchasing sheep,
and has been twice since for the same purpose. In France he purchased, at fifteen
or twenty shipments, seven hundred French Merinos, which he selected from the
three best flocks in that country, owned by Messrs. Gilbert, Cugnot and Guerin,
and a few from the government flock at Rambouillet. These sheep, including expenses
cost about $55,000. He has sold most of these at an average of about $100, each,
the sales amounting to from 15 to 20,000 dollars annually. He sold one pair, a
buck and ewe at $600. He also imported from Spain in 1854, ten sheep, through
Mr. Haddock, the American Minister to Portugal; but not being such as he wished
to keep, he butchered them.
As
to the relative value of the different breeds of sheep, Mr. Jewett's opinion is,
that, if the farmer's object is to raise mutton, as well as wool, the French Merinos
of the first quality are the best; but for wool only, the Spanish. He has had
an opportunity, not only for a personal examination of the best flocks in this
country and in Europe, but has examined the published accounts of the weight of
the fleeces of Spanish sheep in both countries, and his opinion is that they have
greatly improved in this country since their importation. Referring particularly
to the flock of the Messrs. Hammond of Middlebury, he expressed the opinion, that
the fleeces of their sheep exceed, by one third or more, the fleeces of the native
Spanish sheep. Indeed he expresses the decided opinion, that their flock is the
best flock in the world.
Alonzo
L. Gingham and Merrill Gingham, brothers of Cornwall, have been as long and as
extensively engaged in the sheep business as any other farmers in the County.
They have been not only large breeders but large purchasers; and have sold large
numbers for many years in the Western, Middle and Southern States. From
104
HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
Merrill Bingham personally, we have had no information. From Alonzo L. Bingham,
we learn that he has been engaged in the breeding, purchasing and selling sheep
for twenty years. He, for many years and until 1846, devoted his attention exclusively
to Spanish Merinos, purchased from different importers.
In
1846, he commenced breeding French Merinos, and has imported large numbers through
John A. Tainter, Esq., of Hartford, Conn. He now prefers the French sheep, and
gives his whole attention to them. When his attention was given to the Spanish,
he had a flock of twelve hundred, -- although not always so many -- and raised annually
from four to five hundred. Since he commenced with French sheep, his flock has
been less; but he has raised from them annually more than he has ewes, -- many of
them having twins. At the State fair in the fall of 1855, he received not less
than nine premiums on different classes of French sheep.
In
the Vermont Register of May 31st, 1854, we find an article containing a
statement of his sales from September 1st 1853, to May 1st, 1854, from which we
collect the following summary. The sheep were French Merinos, and the amount of
sales, during the above mentioned eight months, was $43,302,50. All but the amount
of $7,033, which were sold by an agent at the west, were sold by himself on his
farm in Cornwall, to persons living in each of the States of Virginia, Ohio, Michigan,
Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, Missouri, Connecticut and Vermont. He states
also, that his sales of sheep for the last year, have amounted to between thirty
and forty thousand dollars; and that the average price for which his French sheep
have been sold, is $175. Mr. Bingham thinks, that both the Spanish and French
sheep are greatly improved by being raised in this County. He says it is admitted,
all over the west, that the sheep of Addison County are superior to any others;
and that Mr. Tainter, who has been a large importer, says, that he found no such
Spanish sheep in Europe, as in this County, and that French sheep are also greatly
improved here.
----------
* We wish the reader to bear in mind, that the materials for these chapters
were obtained in 1855 and the chapters written at that time,
105
HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
As
a specimen of the weight of Mr. Bingham's fleeces, at his sheep-shearing in 1852,
(we have no later information) we give the following extract from an editorial
article in the Middlebury Register of May 26th of that year. "We select
the following particular instances from those sheared on the first day.
|
|
|
CARCASS.
|
FLEECE.
|
|
No.
|
16
|
107
|
pounds
|
21
|
pounds.
|
|
"
|
23
|
91¾
|
"
|
20
|
"
|
|
"
|
25
|
134½
|
"
|
23¼
|
"
|
|
"
|
26
|
89¼
|
"
|
19¼
|
"
|
|
"
|
33
|
111¼
|
"
|
18
|
"
|
There were
thirty-three sheared on that day, "nearly or quite all yearling ewes."
The
agriculturists named, are probably the most extensive dealers in the County.
But there are many others, who are largely engaged in breeding and in the improvement
of their flocks, in every part of the County; some of whom are more or less also
employed in the trafic. But we are not able to detail their operations. The raising
of wool takes precedence of all other branches of farming in almost every town.
We should be glad to avail ourselves of any means in our power to give a definite
statement of the number of sheep, and the annual amount of the crop of wool in
the County. We have spoken of the extensive traffic as an historical fact. But
it is the breeding and improvement of the flocks, which is the more appropriate
business of the agriculturist. The success which has attended this department
has induced the traffic, to which we have referred. The speculations and the extravagant
prices and profits, which have arisen from this source may to some extent die
away, when the country is more generally supplied with the best breeds; but while
the County sustains the reputation of raising the best sheep, there will be a
market for them for recruiting and improving the flocks in less favored regions
of the country.