Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1867-08-03
Cen eIeem,s Property.

10 show what some VI OuI eA'e"sI'0
Iand.holdefs in the Valley are doing 10 re-
construct The country, notwithstanding The
sudden and violent disruption Of our sys-
TEN Of labor, we would refer to The man
agement OF that splendid estate, known as
"!he Sleenbergcn property, owned oy
John C. Meem, Esq, of Lynchburg, Va.
This estate now comprises near 5,OOO
acres, lying in the very heart OF the great
Valley, on both sides Of the road between
the villages OF New Market and Nj. Jack
son in Shenandoah. Of this magnificent
landed possession there are $500 acres
cleared, ,l25 OF which is river and creek
bottom, and the balance wood and pasture
land: The very large body of Level low
land on th9 farm, Tor farms rather, Tor
there are two estates now combined IN
der one CONTROL is remarkable for It's pro.
ducrve capacity. Notwithstanding the
property was ravaged during he war, and
miles upon miles Of its extensive fencing
destroyed by the troops who passed ihro
and encamped upon it, yet the hand Of
reconslructlye power is distinctly visible
in every part Of the estate. Not less than
10000 rails have been split, hauled out
and put up, thus securing the crops from
the inlrusons OF stock Of all kinds. With
the scanty and uncertain labor al com.
mand since the war, the intelligent mana
gers of the farms-Gen. Gilbert S. and
and Col. John G. Msem, jr., brothers,
! have been able TO put out and cut this
year 300 acres of wheat, producing Is
or 20 bushels 10 the acre; so acres Of oats;
200 acres Of timothy meadow, making
$50 or 300 tons Of hay, and leaving POr.
ton of seed; whilst there are 300 acres Of
corn which is very forward, much Of il
already in tassel, and which will average
so or 60 bushels 10 the acre. The es-
tate subsists, in addition, 100 head Of gra-
zing cattle, and LOO head of sheep, be-
sides large number Of hogs. Mr.. Meem
takes a just pride IN having the very best
breeds Of animals upon his estate, and
therefore spares no expense in their pro-
curement. The labor on the farm his
year will cost about $4,000. The Woods
and McCormick's ReapeTs and Mowers
were both at work on the farm, both Civ
ing the utmost satisfaction.
The foregoing facts and figures show
what is being done by some Of our intelli-
gent and energetic Shenandoah Valley
farmers who are engaged, in the face Of
great difficulties, in demonstrating their
shattered fortunes. This years work is
not as good as wss done before the war,
nor as extensive as the work marked out
on the programme for the coming year,
the Messrs. Meem intending TO put out
from $50 TO COO acres in wheat this Fall.
Nor is the labor of cultiva,ing their
lands the only work being performed on
this estate. A new circular ssw.mill is
in operation, which is turning out lumber
and shingles in great abundance for the
improvement Of the farms. A new, ex.
tensivo and beautiful barn, with modern
Improvements, occupying the site OF the
barn which was destroyed by fire after
the war was over, has gone up on the Mt.
Airy portion Of the estate, under direction
OF Col. Meem, r.,whilst s,abIing and 9th
er buildings have been erected on the Lo-
Gust Grove farm, under the supervision OF
Gen. G. 8. Meem. Other improvements
are being projected and will be pushed ac-
lively forward.
Tie prospect Of the very early recon
s,ruction Of the Manassas Gap railroad to
Mt. Jackson, mo longer now, we believe,
matter Of doubt or uncertainty is slim
ulalng the spirit Of improvement i'm
mensely. Heretofore, the ordinary means
OF trans oraiion have been entirely mad
equs,e 10 carry off the resources Of this
celebrated landed estate in the lovely
Shenandoah valley-sn estate second 10
none in the South or in the United States
in point Of productive capacity. 1t has
not been favored, either, with any sort oil
system OF manuring. In fact, the present
years crops Of wheat, oats, grass and
corn have had the advantage Of no manure
whstever, lhe labor rendered necessary by
the ravsges Of the war making it difficult
to do more than get up The ordinary fen
cling.
A part Of this property was purchased
by MI Meem in 1871, the balance at DIFF.
ferent periods since, the lss-lhe 'Rule's
Hill porlioB-in November, 1865. Mr..
Nj. was born in Winchester, in the lower
Valley, but has resided in Lynchburg for
the last 40 or so years, where he has car
red on business as a merchant and earn.
ed reputation for honor and integrity Of
which any gentleman might well be
proud.
The Nj. Airy homestead, the residence
Of Mr., SIcenbergen in the days OF his
prosperity and extensive cattle and bank
operations, is the seat Of refined and
princeIy hospitality which does credit TO
the tastes of the lberal-minded old Vir-
ginia gentleman and his son into whose
possession il has passed -Harris9nJTg
RegiSter.