The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-31
NEW ENGLAND.


Wef Cdmbrtdge-RnM bedMtes-dgrtcMhrM
Productions Frui-Ldnd and Houses-Manu-
factwes-Shrping -he-Raptd Increase Of Po
pulat,on and Property-H tstor,cal Incidents
Monuments" Wellington HW'-Ihe Tornado
Of ls5l-Ihe Road to WatthGm, &c.
The towns that are situated near to Boston, in al
most every direction, remarkable for their rural
beauty. Perhaps something Of this is in the mind Of
the observer the contrast between the hot sufocat
ing air of the city that you have just eft-and, in
summer, Boston is just about the most uncomforta-
bic place that ever yet was in, and in this world
don't expect to find hotter-and the bland breezes
that come to you from over green meadows and fra.
grant orchards, making grateful impression
Among these towns West Cambridge is far from
being the least. 1t has peculiar advantages, which
have enabled it to grow in wealth and elegance, until
it has become yeritable gem in the richest setting
Being only about six miles from town, and lying on
the Fitchburg railroad, with ten trains stopping at
its station houses every day, and at almost every
hour from early till late at night it has taken
something more than its full share of that business
which has been created by the existence of railway
facilities Many families dwell here whose heads are
engaged in taking leading parts in the business Of
Boston. Their houses are in general well built,
and stand amid beautiful grounds. There is an air
OF refined afluence about some portions Of the place
that is not often surpassed. The rural beauties of
the town are not to be called in question: even by
the most fastidous Of critics. 1t seems to be embed
ded in trees both of the orchard and forest; while
shrubs and flowers abound on all hands. The hills
and meadows of the deepest green at this season.
many mown lawns.
West Cambridge is an agricultural town, and
more money is made by its farmers than by those OF
almost any other town in the State This follows
from its proximity to so great market as Boston.
1t has high reputation not only account of its
garden stuffs' and what are called vegetables
by way OF distinction but also for its fruit of various
kinds, of which immense quantities are raised for
sale. There are sold in Boston, from this town. ap-
pies, pears, cherries, ounces, peaches, plums,
strawberries, &C., &c. The greatest care and me-
thod are observed in the work of cultivation, and
perhaps it would be difficult to find men who more
completely understand their business than the farmers
here. Their orchards, in particular, are model af
fairs. They remind me, from their neatness and
the abundance of their productions, of those which
have seen in Ohio, especially in Richland county
which hold to be the garden Of the West in the
fruit time Just now the country is one mass of
delicious blossoms and the air is heavy with the
rich odors that are exhaled therefrom.
The more common kinds OF agricultural articles
raised here are-rye, barley, Indian corn,
hay, potatoes, and other articles classed with
them. The meadows of all kinds, including
pastures, and orchards used as the latter,
amounted in $780, according to the report of the Lee
gislative Valuation Committee, to upwards of 1920
ocr Tha LAM ayfa IN
dwelling houses then numbered 223, and many have
since been built, and Of superior kind, too. The
manufactures of the place are not very extensive.
There is one calico printing establishment here, and
a beachery. According to the report above men
toned, the tonnage Of the place in 1850 was 29s,
in vessels and small craft Of five tons and upwards,
at home or abroad. There are several card fa:to-
res, and some other branches OF mechanical indus
try are pursued to some extent, but mainly with re-
erence to local wants.
Ice is gathered here to large amount partcu-
larly from Spy Pond, which is not far from the
celebrated Fresh Pond, in Old Cambridge 1t is said
not to be quito so good that taken from the last
named sheet of water, but presume the distinction
is more fanciful than real. From either pond the ar
tcle is good-in julep on hot day; better by far
than lie snow with which Sultan Saladn was used
TO cool lis sherbet, and which that excellent poen.
tate (vhat pity that he was an in6delD drew
from the valleys of Lebanon. The ice taken from Spy
Pond is mainly for expectation, which shows that it
cannot be Of low quality. There was once consid
cradle taken from Mystic Pond, but that has
ceased to afford any large quantity for the maket.
Few towns have grown more rapidly under the
henedcent effect Of railway enterprises than West
Cambridge. In 1910 its population was 1888; in
1850 it was 2, l20 being an increase of more than
sixty per cent in ten years. In the three years that
have elapsed since the taking Of our last census, the
the population full $500. The rate Of increase in the
whole county of Mddlesex, from 1910 to 1850, was
not quite fifty per cent. With the exception Of Wal
tham no town in the county grew faster than West
Cambridge, and that has peculiar advantages. Even
Lowell did not increase at so rapid rate, though
the magnificent scale on which the Spindle City pro-
ceeds renders any. comparison between the two
places quite out Of the question In 1910 the proper
ty in " est Cambridge was valued, by the Legsla-
tive Committee, at S472,423 35; in 1850 it was
valued at 81 GIL GA 10, being increase Of about
twelve hundred thousand dollars, or at the rate of
$4,000 per annum, through the entire decennial
term. The capital invested in trade in 1850 up
wards Of SCI 900. The bank and insurance stocks
here owned exceed $5s ,000 The amount of money
at interest was $4,000. These items show the
general prosperity Of the place. 1t is altogether
increase since the facts were reported to the
Valuation Committee; and we should bear in mind
that committees who apply for information upon
which to base scheme of taxation, not likely to
get facts bearing Upon the amount and value Of pro-
perry over estimated. The modesty Of men in such
matters is remarkable their dsinterestedness.
All the country in this part Of Massachusetts, is his
torical ground You cannot move hundred yards
the old Boston road for miles north ward without
finding some place that is remarkable for something
other. West Cambridge is right on the line Of
the march of the British troops from Boston to Con-
cord seventy eight years ago, and was the Of
some Of the hardest fighting that took place on the
18th of April, l775, when commenced what we
specifically call the American Revolution. On the
18th Of April the committee Of safety and supplies
met at tavern in West Cambridge, which then was
called Menotomy. Two OF their number left for
Charlestown, but, falling in with British officers,
mounted. they returned to advise their friends.
These officers had been sent out by Gen. Gage, to
prevent intelligence Of his intended expedition from
getting abroad; but his attempt only madeit more gen
orally known. Elbridge Gerry, who died Vice Presi-
dent of the limited Statea Gftv years Later at