North Carolina

The Model Farm of the West

We had the pleasure a few weeks since of visiting the farm of Dr. Wm. T. HOLT, in Davidson County. Both the owner and farm have been known to us for some time by reputation, but, different from most descriptions of persons and things, they really excelled our most sanguine expectations. This farm is situated in that part of the county the JERSEY settlement, which is celebrated for being by nature the most productive soil in the State. This, like most of the farms near it, has been in cultivation, for a long time, and was, when Dr. Holt purchased, very much exhausted, many parts of it scarcely producing enough to pay the expenses of cultivation, which has been effected by thorough drainage, deep ploughing, and a correct application of such manures as each crop required for its nourishment.

But the appearance of the farm did not contribute so much to our enjoyment as the fine stock of various kinds, which we saw. The impression generally is that we have no fine stock in North Carolina - that they are all the "raw bone" breed - but this is a great mistake which may be easily corrected by traveling over the State. There are upon Dr. Holt's farm, more than one hundred had of thorough bred Devon cattle, as many or more of an improved stock of sheep, all of which look finely, as they have fine pastures to graze upon in the summer, and the best of hay to feed upon in the winter, though as regards sheltering, they have fared liked our native stock, - which goes clearly to prove that the Devon, are the kind of stock which will best suit our climate and generatl treatment of stock. We saw a Devon Bull in the herd, which, for symmetry of form and thorough blood, cannot be excelled in the Whole Union.

He is a descendant of the celebrated MILKIN, in the herd of Mr. BLOOMFIELD, in England. We think that we may promise the farmers quite a treat in the exhibition of some specimens of stock, from the farm of Dr. Holt, at the State Fair in October, and a greater treat still in conversing with the Doctor himself. He is what we call a really scientific, practical farmer, well informed upon every subject in connection with agricultural improvement. -- Farmer's Journal.

Extracted from People's Press, (Salem) N.C., Vol. III., No. 33. October 1, 1853


People's Press

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