The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-06-11
4 Visit TO Thomas HOFnbrOOk'S
Place, near Wheeling.
From the HOFticulturist.l
A TRUE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN,

TRUE COUNTRY GESTLENAS,
The city OF Wheeling, West Virginia
possesses lover OF rural refinement who
delights in all kinds OF floral and rura
oddities, prompted by generous good ma
ture and love Of gardening. We have
lately heard something about him which
leads us to bring him forward to public
notice, and give him full credit for life
time spent in the encouragement OF home
ornament. We refer to Mr., Thomal
Hornbrook. In the parlors Of friend
there bloomed, one day the past fall
three immense bouquets, present from
Mr.. Hornbrook. The largest was com,
posed almost entirely OF magnificent Tube
roses in full bloom, in the very iullness
Of their beauty and fragrance. This bOu,
quet stood about three feet in height and
was surmOunled by n wreath OF Smilax
The other two bouquets were almost
equal in size to the first, and were com
posed of Lillipnt Bouquet, Dahlins, Glad.
iolus, Saliva, Tritomas, red, white and
purple Dahlias, and japanese Honey
sucEles. The floral pyramids were
crowned with the most beautiful speCi'
mems Of the COxcomb, and the vases were
set among Coleus or foliage plants Of the
richest and most varied huCs.
Mr.. HornbrOOk's property, where he
has spent twenty years Of intelligent ei-
fort, Is about four and u half miles out OF
the city. It contains fifty acres, laid out
with two entrances, and avenues which
in extent reach fully mile One Of the
avenues is thirty.six feet broad, lined
with M cspalier Of many different kinds
Of trees, vines, etc, and are, in their sea-
son, superb reaches OF bloom, fragrance,
and shade, Various places give splendid
openingfo for glimpses Of beautiful scenery,
and throughout the drives it is constant
ly borderGd with specimens OF the best
OF cvergreens and ornamental trees.
Mr.. IlornbroOk is interested in four
speciatics, viz; EtrgccHs Of which he
has forty.eight varieties MagnoliGs ten
varieties, viz: wandiRorG, glauea, iriwiGIa,
umbrella, macrophyllG, dcuminata, aurtcuIdta,
conspicua, paPured, ,
Pear Trees are represented by list OF
1000 trees, and Roses OF nearly 400 va
rictics. The principal evergrGens are
from 3S to 10 feet in height, and comprise
the Red Cedar, Heath-leaved Cypress,
Lawson Cypress Cedar Of Lebanon, and
the usual assortment Of spruces, frs and
pines, best cultivated sorts. Ofthe naples
Mr.. IIornbrook is specially fond and takes
great pride in large, noble specimens Of
Norway, Sugar, Sycamore and Silver Ma
pies. Flowers are in abundance, vines,
shrubs aud garden fruits,
His place is one Of great resort for Wis
itors from the city, and one special feature
is the welcome given to every one, MI
merous finger boards are placed at IN
tervuls, with directions where to go and
see tho things most worthy Of obserya-
ton, and how to conduct themselves while
on tho premises. The following are some
Of the Inscriptions copied from the same /:
(Fronting the pike Thomas Horn
brooks place, Ladies' and gentlemen are
welcome"
"a good spring Of cool water for thirsty
souls"
"Don't stone the birds or destroy their
nests"
"Ayenuc to the top Of the mound.
Drive up"
glitch your horse here il you wish to
promenade and do your counting. There
are many quiet little walks and shady, re-
tired hooks exceedingly convenient for
such pleasant business
"LNdies and gentlemen, when you call
to see my place don't think that you are
under any obligations to call on the pro-
prietOr."
ION top Of the mound.) "Well 10 feet
deep, containing 80 feet OF water"
On the principal emincnce Is place
naturally suited for magnificent resi-
dcncc, but with q humOr peculiar to him
self, he informs visitors by means Of one
Of his finger boards, that he has now given
up the idea Of erecting an "earthly maII-
sion" and intends securing more per.
manent one in heaven. In the meantime
his residence in the midst Of his garden
will do till the other Is ready.
The cleanliness, tidincas and thrift Of
the place are everywhere noticeable. Ev.
cry year he goes out early in the spring,
as soon as the weather will permit, and at
the head OF eight or ten men works early
and late until the grounds are in thorough
order. Ills humor, qaintness and peculiar
habits have made him celebrated in the
vicinity, md, as we read Of him, recall
stories Of tho old country squires, few Of
whom are left 10 bless society.