Development
Dévelop-pement
Various modifications and improvements on the farm demonstrate its successfulness and the Nuns concern for good management practices: better lodging for the farmer and his family, the construction of an ice-house and a larger stable-barn provided with electricity, expansion of the henhouse in 1918, acquisition of 130 acres of neighboring land and outbuildings in 1919, and the acquisition of a chick-breeding colony in 1933.
Outbuildings (shop, granary, garages, honey house), 1937. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Métairie Saint-Joseph (Nicolet)’s Fonds, L054-N1E
Outbuildings of the métairie: 1-Hen house, 2-Stable, 3-Shop, 4-Granary, 5-Garage, 6-Honey house, 1958. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Métairie Saint-Joseph (Nicolet)’s Fonds, L054-I-Album 1-page 22B
Demolition of the old stable. On the roof: Misters Pierre Lampron and Roger Albert, 1962. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Métairie Saint-Joseph (Nicolet)’s Fonds, L054-I-Album 1-page 27B
Construction of the new stable, 1962. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Métairie Saint-Joseph (Nicolet)’s Fonds, L054-I-Album 1-page 27D
Steps are taken with the Provincial Government for the farm to be affiliated with the Holstein-Friesen Animal Breeders Society, which offers advantages such as lower cost registrations and better conditions for sale of animals. In January 1928, the farm participates in an agricultural competition and obtains a diploma for good farm management practices with a “very high distinction” as well as a silver medal for agricultural merit. Several years later, the dairy herd is classified “Extra A” by the Government for the quality of its milk, along with numerous other prizes won at regional agricultural exhibitions.
Membership certificate/The Holstein-Friesian Association of Canada, 1926. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Métairie Saint-Joseph (Nicolet)’s Fonds, L054-F-1
Budding judges at an expertise competition for young breeders (Trois Rivières): Henri Chapdelaine, a 15-year-old employee of the Métairie won the cup, 1935. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Métairie Saint-Joseph (Nicolet)’s Fonds, L054-I-Album 1-page 13
In 1966, the Nuns are no longer able to assume the heavy tasks of farming, and with farm employees becoming rarer, they sell off the livestock and all the farm equipment at a public auction.
Poster announcing the auction on the 10 May 1966 at the Métairie Saint-Joseph, 1966. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Métairie Saint-Joseph (Nicolet)’s Fonds, L054-F-6