New-York tribune., 1868-08-05
JOURNEYS AROUND HOME.
MR.. sINCLAIR's Farm.

NEw-YORK, Aug. /, 1868.
Croton is a small Hudson River town 35 miles
oboye New-York half-amie above the station the
tarn of Samuel Sinclair There about ia acres
tending back from the river nearly mile. The fields
are moderately level but they reached by ascents
mora or less rugged The largest level field is Hes
san HILL where in the Revolution, the Hessians had
Winter encampment and. IN powing various relics are
found, and from which one has an extended view. On
one side ia the Valley of the CrOon extending as far
the eve can see with wide farming regiou ON the other
the rolling hills toward Peeksl ntersected win NaHeys
aud westward, but feet below Is the hudson Across
The river is network Of blue mountains -.
IL is only few years Mr. Sinclair purchased this
farm AS II had been cGltlva'eu lIoi ~ not
10 yield than half tuu OF grass 10 the acre
make such land productive requires time, labor and
money Thus far progress satisfactory The first step
IN Improvement WAS to get muck out OF an extensive o0g
muck hauled upon the eds large quantities aud be
side muck was conposted system OF drainage was es-
tablshed and 10 this time considerable has been IN
vested, while the work is still going on, cutting OIL
s .E or even beh ones as nav be TeGured This wear
Us much uns Of good grass must have been eut to
potatoes and by field of that would fav
orably compare with any in the West. Oats we're 50
heavy as m places 70 have fallen.
Descending from Hessian Hnl toward the river, and
passing by the muck swamp and these crops comes
10 clover lot where clumps Of majestic trees and
wheat ought 10 grow as an afer-crop while new views
Of the Hudson obtained. On the verge of another
descent field Of fodder of the darkest green, and
standing heavily in drills 1t is TO be hoped they will
ceed getting this fodder into the barn good order,
for after hot weather ceases many find difficult
thoroughly much vegetation free both from frost and
mold Next is artificial pond with underground out
lets for the OF stock Below this, III small valley,
opening on one side TO the westward is barn, now
nearly completed.
THIS Structure is rs feet long and IS feet wide The
basement wall is OF stone ana three feet thlcK prOOaD
made thick because stone was abundant The second
story wall Is inches and the third u inches thick both
Of concrete The ROOF Is STATE IN the DaeeHent, tne
floor Of which brick, laid in cement is root cellar l6
horses and cattle with running in front of each ami
nal Here are FaTbankss platform scales Of large
story being Is feet wide and feetlong ON side is
ceed ard pastered room lo by l9 suitable either Tor
family or "a workshops the other, a carT1ageroOm.
also ceiled and pastered, with harnesseose as well
finished as elothes,pIess ana aSgonng Ie Saole dU
S from IRON he TsseI5enf tbTongb fbH room and thence
through the roof OF these there six IN the building
Ihen there is cutting room IS by 10, having con-
hecuon with tho Managers DeOw ana Two pays one 10 py
third story enabling the woTkmen 10 let the greater por
'b upwaTd The yard to tins barn IS TO be nciosed
with concrete walls feet high within which sheds
The Concrete Of the walls was made, FIRST by breaking
the stones found ON the farm into pieces from the Se
made of part OF watermei and three OF sand tho
Sdded Wit more working when the broken stones were
ndded being first wet and then the mass was shoNeieu
lie wall Next barren stones not quite reaching across
the wall are placed in this soft mass In "a hours ms ne
Sork progressed at the Of foot day all around
Tie building OF this barn was ndncted IN an tne M
ilInediate management OF the place The cost OF the
barn about $1,000; 1t will last for ages ana ~ Is p[0Da
Div as well arranged any barn IN the country Very
little skin hitherto has been exhibited IN the structure OF
barns; and when one comes 10 build beyond common
barn he finds many difficult problems -,
Upon northern slope, south OF me Darn rs n iaIge @
young orchard. part was set hfst Tor the ot9er part
the year after wider and deeper holes were Dug anu
much more pains taken; and these look far the best
Zach is muched several feet from the Trunk Dut
the field grass. The whole subject OF planting, cRi
tvatlon and management Of orchards, including the
practice Of and grating owing 70 YEAR
OF failure even many orchards supposed 10 Dc wei
cared for, requires careful study; ,....,.
Passing out Of the little valley in which the barn stands
one comes TO another descent, and part way down
from springs led in drain pipes from above ON hed
purchased las year rye had been sown but tle son wac
e. poor II could yield nothing and clover was sown WIN
stopdressing Of superphosphate ana now the eio'ef
From the pond are other yows Of the river and Of
the bold hills w and down the opposite shore Descehd
fg SIN further the dwelling reached This was bulls
several years ago, the style then prevailing II IS sun
pleasant home. and dOubly 50 for what hOdsi gut "
10 he taken down and rebuilt near barn for farm
lons and modern dwelling to be erected IN slightly
position. In front Of the house the puDe fOau ana al
short distance is a neat dwelling, where the farm mana
ger resides Between the two houses is shaded dell
through which mountain stream dashes ahu near ~,
aud IN deep shade is cold spring where thS inh t vi
large DAIRY Kept ia cans 10 COOL previous 10 pelB SehV
Across the road. and st descending, lie large field
planted raspberes and backberues where cT9Eds oi
good and the rces Must he entirely satisfactory this
year On the lower side Of this held ana WITHIN tae ~
closure wood and beyond II one comes TO Duns az
The foot Of which are the railroad and the river, with
lis magnificent scenery. Between the road ana e river
thes found this remarkable river ihls mT
sinclair might sell, for 1t seemed 70 me that ne nas @
s many aud He sites be VIII be aDle very soon
" impIoye aud besides, something might be aoueu W
good neighbOrhOOd.
such IS sketch Of the progress made IL Drlhpnng
hudson River farm into high state OF CULTIVATION. Inc
WORK similar TO what required IN opening nc Ii
~ the Nest where perseverance and good Judgment ae
SeMaDO. one drawback arises from the owner urolnh
business In the city, for lie j. the publisher OF THE IBIB
uNE and he spend only small part OF has time mere
sealhy not more than four hours DAY, ana that must
De by early rising STILL one can that good business
management produces similar results, whatever may De
he eOuIse TO which II Is directed In nay mind theie 10
Vt doubt that diverse occupations give eaeh othef
sehglh ana tls to be learned, IN this age OF new con
Ob Ihat the best business man is he VINO understand
oss ol 1e means by which human life Is sustained ahu
TIE family made comfortable. n. {. NJ.