The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1868-09-10
Excursion o CIearcrceIs val

company with o goodly number OF
gentlemen Of the city and vicinity,
We (thc senior cditor) iDdulged In
an excursion to the country. The
objective point was the residence
Of Martin Lands, Esq, in Madison
township, some ten miles from the
city, in southerly direction. The
moving cause of the excursion was
an invitation which had been ex.
tended by that gentleman to the
members of the Hooking Valley
horticultural Society tU pay him a
social visit and enjoy sort of hor-
ticultural reunion in that part Of
the rich and lovely valley Of Clear.
creek. Our route was by the
GAINESVILLE and Maysville turnpike
for six or seven miles, from which
We divergcd to the LETT by q country
road at q point few rods beyond
the Shellenbargcr toll.gatc. 1t was
our first trip into that part of the
county, and we could NOT but ad-
mire the richness and beauty of
the country, especially after enter.
ing Clcarcreek valley. The noble
farms, with fields dotted with their
stacks Of gathered hay and grain,
and luxuriant with broad acres of
heavy corn, were asight to glad
den the soul Of any man who feels
just rrido in his country's bound
less resources, TO say nothing Of
the feelings they are calculated
to awaken in the hearts of the own
ers of the broad acres Aforesaid
We were particularly struck with
tho comparatively largo portion of
overy farm which seems this yoar
to be devoted to corn, and the re.
markablo promise Of q great crop,
which in all the portion Of Fair.
fold county which has como under
our observation We believe to be
fifty per cent. better than that Of
last year. aai rit.ta
Arrived at the beautiful place Of
Mr.. lands, we found number Of
friends already assembled there
and the company was augmented
by subsequent arrivals till it mum
bered over twenty, including some
of the excellent farmers Of the
ncighborhood, also members of the
Horticultural Society.
The first thing done was to take
a general view of the farm of Mr.
Lands, which is a noble one, un
surpassed in fertility OF soil, in tht
form of its surface, and in adapta
bility to every variety of culture
and product known 60 this climate
Tho next step was to make tho tou1
Of his hourishing vineyards anc
! orchards, which seemed healthtu
, and vigorous in the highest degree
showing some ofthe peculiar point
of superiority derived from q goo'
! soil. 1t was remarked that tn
Catawba vines here were UNUSUAL.
free from mildew and the fruit from
| rot, for this season. Mr.. Landi
has some Isabella vines which ex
hibit a wonderful profusion OF fine
perfect fruit-and his Clintons, G
5 which he has the largest numbe
=. of bearing vines wo have anywhcr
seen, are a sight to behold, from th
: loads of compact, splendid cluster
with which they are burdcned,- :
Q Mr.. L. will have a fine opportunit
Q of testing the quality Of the Clinic
for wine making purposes, for whic
its reputation is rapidly rising
mong vino growers.
+ The orchards of Mr.. Lands sho,
d fair yields of peaches and apples
and specimens of tho former, of re
markable beauty and fine Aavc
Q graced his ample board at Dime
o time. For dinner time came i
due season, and twerty guest
with famous appetites, sat down
,. q table heapcd with a protusion
the viands to be found in their PEI
). fection only at the board of th
well.to-do American farmer. An
their preparation was equally cree
% liable to the culinary skill of ii
D. three fair daughters Of our hos
b assisted by the experience and tas'
|. in arrangement Of his sister-in la
the lady OF our esteemed irien
Thos. II. White. 1t hardly nee
20 bo said that the guests performe
9. their part of the programme wit
neatness and dispatch. The agre
able business of dinner havir
been dispatched, an hour or two
% edifying versational interconr
n followed among the assembled col
pany, and then, in a highly sati
10 factory frame Of mind oil took the
'g leave Of our generous entertaine
It, and their departure for their T
spective homes. To crown 1.-The 50
isfaction in our particular case,
well-hlled basket of fine peach
and apples, gathered by fair hand
~ was plaood in the vehicle wht
k was to convey us home ward,
- present to tho better half Of the
itor. sf
We are fully convinced aof t
:, utility of these horticultural reu
" ions, and hope they win nev
vc cease TO be in vogue in our count
at Thieves About.