Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1844-08-22

We take the following account of n day passed
with Mr.. Van Buren at Lindcnwald, from the
- Cul,iyator " an excellent agricultural paper
published at Albany:
A DAY II THE CouxrRy-yIsrr TO LrSpESwALD.
We lately passed a beautiful summers day IN the
vicinity Of Undertook. Among other places of
in;ere /. we visited L.ndcnwald. the seat Of Ex-
President Van Buren,.
Lindenwald. formerly the residence Of Judge Van
Ness. i plea sanity retired, and commands a very
agreeable andScan 20 view. the most prominent features
If VII ch are the Cai~kill IN sun:aIns. whose elevated
summit, are often yelled by the shadowy cloud.
We found Mr.. Van Buren, al home. AMI accompanied
HIM in a walk over the farm. When he entered on
the occupancy Of this place. ON his retirement from
the Presidency. three years since. II was much out OF
order the land, having been rented for ~ years, and
been under cultivation for the period q 100 years.
Several Il the buildings had become poor. the fences
were old and were ruttng down, and bushes and
grass a Wild growth had taken possession Of much
of the farm. During the short time II has been under
Mr.. Van Buren'S management, the place has been
greatly improved, and \ course il now fairly begun
by which n handsome income may bc derived from II.
The garden and plea>ure-ground> have been enlarged
and newly LAID oui-lot houses have been erected
and a large number Of fruit and trees,
shmhbery. &c. have been planted. The greenhouse
contains "A selection e exotic fruits and plants, among
which were some fine grapes Just rlpcnlng. In the
ga rden we noticed fine samples Of all the fruits OF
iHf N'tNpls NlN Nffl' VI A' UnUNA 'i'iN w thft
ever seen. so early IN the year in tins latitude.
Among the objects which give beauty and interest
10 the grounds. are two %artlfc.al ponds IN the garden.
They were easily made by constructing dams across
a little brook originating from springs on the premises.
Soon after they were made. (thrcc years ago. scmc
fish were put into them. and they are now so well
stocked with trout. pickercl and perch. that Mr.. V.B.
assures us they VIII afford an abundant supply for has
table. This i n matter well worthy of considcra-
ton. There are miny situations where such ponds
may be- made. and with n triiling expense. tho luxury
If catching and eating n fine trout or pickcrcl may
be- had NJ any time.
Several of the fields have been enclosed with now
fences and several buildings erected: among which
are n very tasty flrm house. and n harm calculated
for storing one hundred and fifty tons of hay afcr
being pressed.
Bn, perhaps the most important improvements
which Lave taken place on the farm, have been made
ON n tract of boo land. thirteen acres of which have
iccn thoroughly recla. med. md are covered with
luNuriani crops # grass or oats. Three years ago.
this land was almost worthless. II was frs, drained
by dtcics. The sfumps. bushes. &c. were then cut
ont aud burned. and tie ashes spread on the land.
1t was forwards sown 10 grass using n mixture of
timothy aud rcd-iop sccd-threc pccks 10 the mere.
The whole cost of rccla inning was ihiriy-cight dollars
per ncrc. and the land VIII now pay tic interest a n
undrcd TO a hundred and City dollars per acre. In
this Mr.. Van nuren has set u good example. which
We hope viii he fllowcd by tie other farmer, in Tie
nciglborlood who have lands similarly situate.
The potatoc crop i oncof con ,idcrahlc consequence
on this firm. ~ we'll a on others IN the vicinity.
Mr.. Van rurcn raises the variety called Carriers,
pr duccd from the ball a few years ago b, the Shakers.
lie consid r. the c 10y Ear the most profitable kind
known. They yield we'll. and their quality i thought
equal 10 any. Mr.. Van Buren, assured us that all
which could bc raised would readily command fifty
cents per busLcl. by the quantity. IN New York. All
the crops appear 10 he well managed, and are promis-
ing. Icachod ashes were tried Lcrc last season with
excellent success. Great benefit has also been found
from ploughing IN clover.
Mr.. Van Buren, kccTs but little stock, n considerable
object being the saleof hay which a large portion Of the
firm j. well calculated 10 produce-thc horses for
carriagcs and firm work, with n yoke of oxen, and n
sufficient number of COWS to afford milk and butter
for the firmly. comprising about all. We did not sec
the COWS. but were Informed that they were grade
Durhams. and were excellent fr the dairy. We
were shown a rood three year old Durham bull,
whose head and limbs denoted good blood. and whose
mellow skin Indicate, that lie j. "A thrifty animal.
All the improvements f which We have SPOKEN,
have been planned and executed under the immediate
supervision e Mr.. Van Buren,, who finds in these
useful enterprises a salutary exercise for the faculties
If the mind and body. which seems To be highly
enjoyed. I'm this Pleasant retreat. removed from the
cares Of State. and the turmoil Of political wars, he
-" With a choice few retired,
Drinks the pure pleasures Of a Iuial lse."