GENERAL NOTES

? to 1956 Many visits to Windsor by scientists from or associated with the University College of the WI

1949 to 1953? Research done by Mrs. Lane (Rothschild) for her book Fleas, Flukes, and Cuckoos. Many water and specimen samples collected by WFDH (accompanied by much swearing and slipping into ponds ) from the river and ponds

1945-47? Stone tank at the rear of the bungalow was constructed ( I still have scars on a squashed little finger as proof of my "help" to the stonemasons)

1950? Two elevated concrete water tanks constructed. A pipeline connected both tanks, I think, and gravity provided the pressure to both houses. A single-cylinder diesel pump in a pumphouse pumped water from the river south of the tank and sawmill.

1950? Electrical power was introduced ­ two single-cylinder diesel generators, a Petter and an Armstrong Siddley ­ to both houses. The kerosene lamps were then used for emergencies only.

The sawmill was built long before 1942. The large single-cylinder Ruston diesel,with a 6ft. diameter (approx.) flywheel, didn't need water lubrication. The water tanks were installed to provide water to the two houses. Mrs. Lane (Rothschild) needed all the mod cons that were lacking.

?

1950? A single-line telephone was put in to both houses.

1949/50? Three wooden cattle grids (Texas gates) were built :-

a) On the main road at the boundary with Pantrepant

b) At the entrance to the bungalow

c) At the junction of the Falmouth and Sherwood roads in front of the Great House

where there was a bend in the river.

d) I don't remember one at the boundary on the Sherwood road.

Milking Cows were milked daily at the pen just south of the bungalow , and 2 to 4 milkcans were collected by a truck travelling in the direction from Sherwood to Pantrepant. The cow penners started work early because the truck pickup was before 8 AM. They made the best coffee with the fresh milk that I have ever tasted.

Meat Cattle were killed and butchered by the visiting butcher, generally on a Friday, at the pen to the north of the bungalow. We would then pick up our meat order from the butcher in the Falmouth Market on Saturday.

	Lumber Before 1949, obtaining the logs to cut into boards, etc., at the sawmill was slow because they were dragged out of the forest by mule or horse, until a rubber-wheeled Fordson tractor (photo) was bought. After 1949, two International tracked-tractors were bought, to increase log production and to make more roads in the bush and deepen and enlarge the ponds with the one bulldozer blade.
	Ruins The ruins at the back of the Great House were originally of a hospital to rehabilitate the soldiers guarding the slaves.
Indigo and jute were grown on the property at some time, so maybe the slaves were used for this purpose.	The ruins on the common to the NE of the Great House may have been where the slaves were housed See 1795 map (MS note:Mr Peart, present owner of these lands, bulldozed the area and used the stone for his house in Clarks Town).
	Windsor Caves Between the two World Wars, tours were organized after the construction of railings along the track to the entrance. Post cards were produced with views ofWFDH and workers on the track. At some time , I presume before or during the First World War, bat guano was mined for its explosive properties. However, some of the essential chemical grades were a little weak, so that did not last long.

Agricultural Experiments by WFDH

• Tobacco A small area was planted approx. 1952-54, but did not succeed because the pH of the soil was not suitable. Rather strange, when many of our workers dried tobacco leaves on the sides of their houses.
• Sugar cane A small area was cultivated. I don't remember the result.
• Bananas Many different types were tried. I cannot remember which were the best. Many truckloads went to the banana boats anchored in Falmouth harbour.
• Citrus fruits Plant propagation in grapefruit and oranges was tried. These trees were in a small common towards Sherwood on the west side of the road.
• Sheep A flock was established, but gradually died off because of liver infection from the flukes in the river snails. Refer to the book by Miriam Rothschild.
• Trees A line of mahoe ? trees was planted at the rear of the bungalow, along a fence protecting a large vegetable garden.
• Common An Allen scythe ( single-cylinder engine) was bought to keep the weed and "macca" ? growth down and to stimulate grass growth for the dairy cows, on the common in front of the bungalow. Bought approx. 1950-51. ( I earned a lot of pocket money cutting weeds with this two-wheeled machine).

Prepared by C.W. ( Bill ) Donald-Hill 11 April, 2000

Calgary, Alberta, Canada