Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1866-10-10
THE BIGGEST FARM IN THE WORLD
A Monster Plantation of 900 Square Miles
in South America.

IN DOQGl hm6IlUdt
A BUENos AYREs correspondent of the
New York Times gives the following ac.
count of his visit to the great estancia OIL
monster farm of Senor General Don Jose
de Urquiza:
The only indication that we have reach,
ed It's border is that on each hand, at the
distance of 800 yards from each other
making an avenue of similar width, there
are trees designed to form an avenue the
entire distance to the estancia house-11
miles. As we travel onward the cattle
increase in numbers, and ostriches, soli-
tary or in groups, come up near US, or
slowly cross our road. These birds are
thus tame, because the General has or
dered that not one shall ever be killed
or molested. And so abundant are they
that, as General Urquiza told me himself,
he has been offered the sum of $4,000
in silver for the privilege of taking them.
But from humanity, or from fancy, be
spared the birds.
Near the residence Of the General there
is a permanent encampment of soldiers
under his immediate command.
The residence has received the name
of San Jose, after is chosen patron saint,
St. Joseph. The buildings are one story
high of brick, and are built around two
large squares. The open space is paved
with sandstone, and four sides are occupied
by the apartments pertaining to the
dwelling house. The margin of the
square, the ten feet nearest the house, is
covered with a finely wrought net work
OF iron, supported by iron pillars and
overspread with the branches of fruitful
trees.
At the outer range of buildings there
is a store, near it the chapel, next the
Office OF the Secretary, then the apart
meut Of the aids-de-camp, then the ex-
tcnsive array Of parlors0nd private rooms
provided for the large family and innum-
cradle visitors.
On entering the garden there was a
beautiful array Of exotic plants, fran
every quarter of the globe. Aviaries
filed with gay birds Of sweet voice adorn
the garden I need not mention names
Of rare plants, bat from the extreme
North from Australia, Cape Horn, from
africa, Asia and from the gardens Of
Europe, were gathered the faral treasures
that adorn each other in this wiuterless
climate. under the most exact artistic
care. The gardens fer vegetables and
fruits were study. Here are apples,
peaches. pears, apricots, nectgrines, grapes
pomcgran'tes, ounces, fgs, ba"anus,
oranges, lemons, and most Of these in
measureless abundance. At the edge of
the orchard there is in process Of CON
Struction an artificial lake, about 70 rods
square. and from 20 to 80 feet deep. The
walls are of a most substantial double
work, with stamped clay between. The
water is to be brought about one mile
f ON a neichboring river, and it will be
elevated by machinery. On this lake
there will be a little steamer, where the
sons destined for the navy will learn en-
and make mimic voyages. The
Of the lake is 100000, silver.
The chapel intended for worship for
the family will seat so persons, and the
costly appointments of vestments, pre-
cious stones, silver furniture, fine paint
iugs, piano, etc, altogether must have
cost at least beyond the sum Of $4,000,
silver.
The avenue Of eleven miles leading up
to the front Of the house is suggestive of
amplitude beyond, and there Is the area
If 100 square leagues, 1900 square miles,
hat form the unbroken body Of the farm.
Over this immense tract of unsurpassed
and, countless thousands of cattle and
horses and sheep are grazing, Of cattle
he farm sends to the slaughterhg estab-
OF the same owner, $4,000 ami !
mails annually. His horses would supply !
he cavalry of large army, and from
he wool of the sheep ships are annually
oaded and sent direct to Europe.
Other tracts of land in other parts Of
he Province are owned by him to very |
arge extent but I am speaking only of
he San Jose estancia, the farm occupied
S the owners residence.
In all that Province, though not now
holding any civil Office, norris he on mill
ary duty, General Urquiza is yet regard
ID as legitimate ruler, civil and military ;
nd hardly assuming anything, there is
,Ot a department nor precinct OF the
Province that escapes his eye. On one
weeks notice he can call together an
quipped army Of 10000 men, ready for
nv cause that he should deem worthy
f their steel The estancia of San Jose
S alone in the world for extent and for
ulture under the owners eye. 1t is
arger than many of the principalities of
1entral Europe, and in politics there is
lot an equal surface on the globe of
greater unanimity among its inhabitants.