New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-08-20
JoURYErS AROUND HOME.
Ell. cARpENrrR's FARM.


fPRoM OUR own CORRESPONDENT
NEw-YoRK Aug. 10, 1S5S.-Ihree miles from Pleas
sntville Westchester Co., y. Y. and on the Harlem
Railroad is the farm Of L. j. Carpenter There are
about 100 acres, a part is very high ground the
rest on various elevations or trenches. Or course
there are fine views and the prospect Is 30 extensive
chat narts of several counties are The house
was built at early day by one of the landed pro-
prietors. but it has been remodeed throughout and
large additions made Where the original tmbers
can be seen they are found be from p to II inches
square The approach 10 this house is by long
winding drive bordered with evergreens closely set
and as much as 50 feet high forming perfect wind
break Besides there are hedges Of arbor vita, and
cumps of evergreens and other trees all around the
house. but not astO exclude the sunlight %
the right the ground deScenqs 90 OF more Ieet 10
another level, and beyond tins TO another
while here and there, on favorable ground
are blocks Of from 10 three or more acres OF
nursery stock. including whatever is useful and or
namental On the left the ground rises sull hgher ana
a cOrnheld and orchard, are on the summit whence
one is shown where the picket lines OF the Brit
Ish and American armies in the time OF the ReyOlu-
ton as well the scenes OF sklnlsh and surprises
If we have any classic groundn America 1T is In tins
County of Westchester, and twas here that Cooper
laid the scene of his Spy.
This upland field has hard suDsoll; ana was sur
prsed to learn from Mr.. Carpenter that he had eX-
pended $500 in laying undeTdralns, which had re-
suited i'm so little benefit that he considered the
money thrown away. Even Immediately over the
other pats of the field or in fields adjoining and not
underdraned. II would seem from this that some
KubsOils are stubborn and unyielding that they
had better be devoted to grass or 10 crops drawing
nOurishment from the surface. What the effect OF
Tee this CLAW into fertile soil as some would recon-
mend is not perhaps well settled, for It is alleged
that clays contain no elements which plants can
use We certainly need more light and this is TO be
derived from general aud common sense analysis.
Mr. Carpenter was brought up as a farmer with
such advantages OF education as are common IN
Quoted the sknning system, and there was neither
dignity nor profit in the calling On first getting
possession Of only part of what is now the present
farm the soil was found exhausted, and IN Winter the
winds swept with terrible fury across the hills. Tins
about II years ago, when he planted those ever
green's now magnificent, and which make tins
fine homestead as quiet a bay locked In by wooded
hills. With no help but his own hands the soil was
gradually restored and nc the same time he raised
fruit trees for future orchards. From this last pur
suit and with other instruction in the arts Of
grating and budding than are TO be found In books
aud IN ones experience and observation, he increased
his paintings from year 10 year till at last be has
large stocks. No manure has ever been bought eX-
cept once tIn Of hsa guano was purchased with
great dissatisfaction Meanwhile adjoining land has
been bought and some recently. at very high price
The sums at which farms are generally held here,
now is from 500 TO 500 an acre. Being only about
80 miles from the city mOneyed men often buy well
improved places where they i've with their families
while they themselves 20 10 the city and return each
day. Often they live here only ia the Summer. 9th
erS, on retiring from business, 0uy lor permanent
Residence. I ~
IA connection Win the nursery buslHeSsI nj NhI-
penter carries on general farming raising stock and
keepmg o small dairy, In Sheep-grOWing he finds
lambs the most profitable as at six months old they
cell for three times much rs old sheep and accord
lDgiy no shifts hs Hook in such way as 90 have as
many lambs as possible. would call the attention
OF earnest youn men engaged in cultivatDg the soil
90 this mingng OF the nursery business with general
Earning Tor II seems TO have many advantages
over either conducted separately There is no reason
why small commencement with this end In view
pLy not be made with the best chances of SUCCESS.
No matter how limited the amount of land may be-
that Is, If not below i've ten acresoT if one is
clear down IN the world. he should not dssplse an
acre II be can get 10 II ne cannot et him work and
pave ~ cents day till he can, and he may be sure
hat with good habits and we'll directed industry he
&h become independent by which. mean posi-.
pon OF having plenty Of profitable work to do on