14 WINTER SKETCHES. 



that establishments of this kind were more 

 profitable when the boarders were ladies. 

 Soon afterwards we left the building express- 

 ing our thanks for the courtesy extended to 

 us and taking a note of the sign over the en- 

 trance, '■'■ Decker's Milk Dairy." 



We passed on over the rich meadow lands of 

 a country so well adapted to milk farms by 

 its natural properties and its nearness by rail- 

 road to the city. There were many pretty 

 and even elegant and capacious residences, 

 evidently the homes of families who, combin- 

 ing the utile aim dulce, must have other means 

 of support besides the proceeds of these farms. 

 Like Mr. Decker, they make lavish expendi- 

 tures in economy, the result of which is, as many 

 of these gentlemen farmers are ready to admit, a 

 loss to them for what they charitably intend 

 for a benefit to their neighbors in the instruc- 

 tions given. Singularly^ however, the unedu- 

 cated farmer generally prefers his own old 

 way. Not caring for palatial barns, patent 

 fodder and ensilage, he shelters his cows 

 under rough sheds, feeds them on hay in 

 the winter and turns them out to pasture 

 in summer and makes a living from the pro- 



