The Farm and Livestock
The Nuns at the Châteauguay farm diligently apply technical and theoretical knowledge acquired from Provincial government agronomists and the Trappist Monks of Oka. Successive directors manage the farm with the goal of continually increasing production. Although very fertile, a major challenge is that sections of arable land are prone to annual spring flooding, rendering the plowing and seeding quite difficult.
Land clearing work, 1950. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Châteauguay Manor’s Fonds, L003
Notes on agricultural activities, in Memoires (1892-1919), 1915. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Châteauguay Manor’s Fonds, L004-H-04
Near the manor there is a stable, a cowshed, a pigsty, a henhouse and further away a hutch and a sheepfold. Over time facilities are modernized and expanded: in 1951, the buildings undergo major transformations to house the herd of dairy cows transferred from the Saint-Charles Farm when it ceases activities. Breeding continues until 1972.
The Grey Nuns farm, [19-]. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Châteauguay Manor’s Fonds, L004-Y15F
Farm’s outbuildings, undated. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Châteauguay Manor’s Fonds, L004-Y43E
Herd of cows at Châteauguay farm, undated. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Châteauguay Manor’s Fonds, L004-Y43K
Register of auction sales, 1964. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Châteauguay Manor’s Fonds, L004-H-09
Châteauguay farm, in Chez nous (Our Place) (extract)/Sister Flore Barrette, s.g.m., [195-196-]. Film 8 mm. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, F054A