Zadock Pratt’s Model Farm in 1862
The editor of the Catskill newspaper, the Recorder Democrat, in its issue of Aug. 14, 1862, provided its readers with a vivid description of one part of Zadock Pratt’s numerous enterprises.
“While on a flying (sic) visit to Prattsville in the last week in July, we were enabled through the politeness of Mr. C. Reed Newcomb (one of the best practical farmers in this country), to hurriedly inspect the celebrated Dairy Farm belonging to that enterprising, generous gentleman, Hon. Zadock Pratt. The area of the farm is 365 acres [one acre for each day of the year], all mountain land, excepting about 25 acres of flats, devoted to the growth of corn and carrots. The main pasture lot, 203 acres, covers the mountain summit, and the remainder is divided into meadow and field. Every portion of the vast premises bears unmistakable impress of that systematic supervision which has signally crowned the owner’s every effort with success; efforts, in this instance, seconded by the practical attention to details, on the part of his excellent farmer, Mr. Newcomb. The barn, shed, and hog-pen arrangements are extensive and constructed with reference to comfort and convenience, and the most noticeable fact is that no part of the Col.’s agricultural economy is of infinitesimal character – nothing is done by halves. A lively recollection of the profits of tanning does not fortunately, suggest the propriety of “skinning” his land, his stock, or his neighbors’; but he dispenses with lavish hand that which enriches all, and basks in the sunshine of that mental happiness acquired and enjoyed in doing good.
The milk and butter rooms are constructed upon scientific principles, and, under the immediate supervision of Mrs. Newcomb, are patters of scrupulous neatness. The innumerable platoons of bright, shining milk-pans filled with the richest lacteal fluid, were only equaled in housewifely eyes by the rows, in the cellar, of 100 plethoric firkins, one-half already filled with golden butter, sweet as the lips of pouting sixteen’.
The churns are worked by water from a large reservoir from which sources the yards are also liberally supplied. Seventy-five carefully selected cows roam the Col.’s broad, airy acres, averting 182 lbs. butter per cow, while in the pig-styes 60 huge porcine specimens lazily grunt a greeting to their inexhaustible fountain of buttermilk, and “take on” contentment and fat, accordingly. If other evidences of industry were needed, the Col. might point with pride to his 43 swarms of Bees, whose works are not more sweet, or effective, than are those of the genial King Bee who founded, and beautified, that pleasantest of hamlet hives, Prattsville, ‘Loveliest village of the plain!’
