Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1912 — LETTER FROM SAM SPARLING. [ARTICLE]

LETTER FROM SAM SPARLING.

Tells of the Beauties of the Blue Grass Region of Old Kentucky. Lexington, Ky., May 7. Editor Democrat— In fulfillment of a promise, I have jotted down a few items that may be of interest to the readers of The Democrat. I accepted an opportunity to stop over a day at Lexington, Ky., and was glad I did because I desired to see the leading city of the Blue Grass section. Lexington is full of historical and social interest, besides it is located in one of the most beautiful farming sections I ever saw. ,

A race meeting was in progress and offered an opportunity to observe a phase of activity that has made Lexington famous. But I am not strong on horse racing, so left early to visit two or three of the most noted, farms near the city. I made a short visit to Ashland, the home of Henry day. But I desire more particularly to record a few facts regarding one of the 'most noted dairy farms of any country. This farm is about five miles from the city, and it afforded a splendid opportunity to see this Blue Grass country at its best. One who has not seen this section can have little conception of its beauty. Here you find many country homes .more costly than any of the homes of Rensselaer.

Ehndorf is an estate of 11,000 acres upon which about 800 persons are employed. Its buildings cost several fortunes. The main building 'has stalls for 400 cows and these were occupied, with few exceptions, at the hour I visited it, while milking was in progress. The herd is composed in the main of Jerseys and Guernseys. Each milker is assigned 25 cows. AU persons connected with the dairy must take a shower bath each day and change his dbthing. The cow barn is literally more cleanly than 80 per cent of the homes of any city. Attendants with mops and brooms are constantly at work cleaning the stalls and gutters, while the cows are in the barn. Every bit of litter is carried away by running water.

This farm carries about 800 cows, besides many horses and sheep. The visitor is impressed with the substantial manner in which everything is built. The manager's home is a beautiful stone building, and .the owner’s home is a palace, situated on a hill, surrounded by hundreds of acres of blue grass. The people of Jasper county can have no idea of the meaning <of blue grass pasture unless they have seen this section. Very truly, S. E. SPARLING. See our standing seam Slate roofing in red and green for use on fine residences. Laid without cement. And the handsomest roof ever invented. HIRAM DAY;