During his time in Laurel Horace Capron first developed an
intense interest in agriculture and farming. Capron owned a
1200 acre farm in Laurel—including land in the Howard
District--in addition to the property devoted to
manufacturing.
He
bred prize-winning cattle. (He was particularly fond of the
Devon & Durham breeds) and was a founder of the
Prince
George’s Agricultural Society. Publications like American
Farmer spotlighted his achievements. He spent large sums on
farming—more than $9,000 for fertilizer alone from 1841-47.
“Col.
Capron of Prince George’s County, exhibits Devon Bull
Eclipse, which took the first prize last year.."
American Farmer, quoted in HC Autobiography p. 71
"These
and the younger portion of Col. Capron's stocks was probably
the largest and most valuable herd ever exhibited by one
breeder in the United States..”
American
Farmer, quoted in HC Autobiography p. 71.
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Devon Cattle by Charles Vancouver.
1808. Photos courtesy Westcountry
Studies Library, Devon, UK |
