Historical Photos from the Library of Congress

Hired man, young neighbor (Julia Fletcher), collie dog, and Frank H. Shurtleff's son gathering sap from sugar trees for making syrup. Sugaring is a social event and is enjoyed by all the young people and children in the neighborhood. The Shurtleff farm has about 400 acres and was purchased by grandfather in 1840. He raises sheep, cows, cuts lumber and has been making maple syrup for about thirty-five years. Sugaring brings in about one thousand dollars annually. Because of the deep snow this year he only tapped 1000 of his 2000 trees. He expects to make about 300 to 500 gallons this year. North Bridgewater, Vermont

On august 27, 2000 this further information about this dog was added by Laura whose url is below:

Hi all........My husband grew up in North Bridgewater on a farm next to the Shurtleffs (see sugaring picture with old fashioned farm collie). I have seen old family photos with this beautiful collie and have asked Irving and Ricky Shurtleff (currant owners of this gorgeous working Jersey farm, one of the few remaining) about it. Irving says he was a great dog in the old style, calm, eager to work but happy to lie on the front step betweentimes. They were never able to replace him after he died. Incidentally, this dog is nearly identical to my Duchess , who was half collie and half Aussie. This photo and another appeared in Vermont Life Magazine sometime in the fifties - not that long ago!