Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1860-09-27
Eelerteh Misrellany.
From the Rural Register.
RESIDENCE OF THOMAS WINANS, ESQ.

! From the Rural Register.
RESIDENCE OF THOMAS WINANS, ESQ.
Sometimes we have to 60 from home to
learn what is going on in our own locality,
and we frequently see verified the remark,
that "a prophet is not without honor save
in his own country" In our last, we pre-
sented to our readers brief description Of
".Serern ,Siae," and though we were born
within six miles of the place, yet the beau
ties of the locality, and the high hills of the
vicinity, so we'll suited to the purposes for
which it has been appropriated, were as a
sealed book to us until we paid visit to
the spot. In like manner, many of our citi-
zens have probably heard of the mansions,
both city and country, Of the gentleman
whose name heads this paragraph, and of
the wealth which he has amassed by his
we'll directed energies and success in his
profession in far-of land, yet comparative
ly few have availed of his public-spirited
liberality to visit the grounds which he has
been adorning with princeiy muni6cence,
which would do no discredit to any Of the
crowned heads of Europe, though specl-
fed time is set apart for the public to ex-
Of the Gardeners MonMly, on recent visit
to this city, had an opportunity of visiting
these princely establishments of Mr.. Winans,
and briefly describes them in the following
sketch, which, however, we are confident
does not render full justice to them:
The city residence is situated in Hollins
street, and in the centre of the most beauti-
full part Of the city. 1t occupies nearly an
entire block or square of ground, and is
handsomely enclosed with an iron railing !;
the grounds are laid out with taste, and
planted with great variety of rare trees
and shrubs. The collection is particularly
rich in the new evergreens, many Of them
considered by us, only hundred miles fur
ther north, as extremely tender, but here
Aourishing with the greatest luxuriance.-
This result is no doubt attribute BILE in part
to the protection afforded by the surround
ing houses and fires The entrance to the
grounds is through large and handsome
gateway, at the side Of which is neat por-
/ ter's lodge. [ was informed that on one
day of the week the public are admitted,
and if this is correct, Mr.. w. deserves the
thanks Of the whole community. The house
is situated nearly in the centre fthe. grounds.
ss,,r; r1r-,anr anu uurous,
with an air of home comfort about it, sell
dom met with in houses of so large size.
One of the most beautiful features about it
is the conservatory, which is quite extensive
and which communicates with the drawing
room. This conservatory is kept we'll sup
piled with Towering plants from range of
thirteen houses or pits built side by side
somewhat on the ridge and furrow princi pie,
and each about IS by II feet. and their ag-
gregate or total length would therefore be
upwards of $50 feet. Each of these houses
are, as a general thing, devoted to the
growth of a single genus or of kindred tribes
Of plants that require nearly the same treat
ment to this cause, added to the skillful
management Of the gardener, Mr.. Campbell,
may be attributed the complete success in
plant culture which has been attained here.
House No. 1 Is devoted entirely to the
culture Of grape vines in pots.
No. 2 A moist stove in which amongst
other stove plants were a number Of fine
specimens of Musa Cavendishii
No. 3 Devoted entirely to Heaths and
). Epacrises, which looked remarkably healthy
No Azaleas, Rhododendrons, &c.
No. 5 Camellias.
No. 6 Azaleas, very rich collection of
the new dwarf and double varieties.
No. 7 Orchards, Ferns and Moses.
No. s A mixed Greenhouse.
No. 8 Mostly filed with Begonias, in
Guiding the new foliage varieties.
No. 10 A mixed hot house.
No. II 90 -"
No. II A propagating pit.
No. IL Pine apples, and for forcing AS
paragus.
Having had for some time an idea of erect
ing house on the ridge and furrow princi-
pie, [ thought this favorable opportunity
of ascertaining whether much inconvenience
was suffered from the snow collecting in the
burrows, and I understood Mr.. Campbell to
say that they found it necessary to have
them cleaned out after every heavy fall o
j., snow If any of your readers have had any
experience with houses of this kind, | hope
they will furnish it for the general benefit
The heating apparatus which heats not only
this large range of pits, but also the dwell.
ing, conservatory, and an immense winery
300 feet in length, is well worthy of notice
It is large tubular steam, boiler somewhat
of the shape of locomotive boiler. The
steam is conveyed through the pits under
the walks in three inch cast iron pipes GOV.
cred with iron grating. Some Of the houses
that require the most heat have several re.
turn pipes. The heat in each house can be
very nicely regulated by stop cock. The
steam pipe or main, which is s inches il
diameter, after heating the pits passes or
through an underground tunnel or culver
to the dwelling, a distance of some three OIL
four hundred feet! And from thence through
a 3 inch pipe, and another tunnel to the
winery, about 200 feet further. The radia-
ton Of the pipe passing through these tun-
nels, is not so great as one would suppose
! Mr.. Campbell informed me that during the
coolest winter weather, the apparatus did
, not consume moro than four tons of anthra
, cite coal per week, which, considering the
, immense duty it has to perform, struck ms