Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-08-31
LOCAL AFFAIRS
A Model Parma short time ago

A Model FaPm.-A short time ago we
had the pleasure Of visit to ''Meadow Hail. -
the fine farm of Judge ". veirs Bouic stu
ated on Rock Greek, about two miles south
east of this place, and will try and give our
readers some idea of this well conducted farm.
The original tract, containing It's acres was
purchased by Judge Bouicin 1874, from the late
Samuel C. Veirs, and of this about fifty acres
were in a tolerable state of cultivation, the
balance being in marshes, gullies, bushes and
poverty-grass covered with rock and surface
stone. In 1863 he purchased from the Lection
heirs an additional tract of 100 acres, unen-
closed and which had been badly worked down.
During this year several other small tracts
were added to the place, and in 1869 he pur-
chased of Jno. B. Young an additional tract
of "a acres, it being mostly an old field, grown
up in brambles and bushes, except where the
land was too poor to produce even these.
From these beginnings one would suppose
that the prospect for making good farm was
not very hattering, but Judge B., with his
known energy, went resolutely 10 work and
to-day there is on the entire place of 44o acres
scarcely square yard in any field that is not
under fne cultivation.
The farm is laid off in eight fields OF about
80 acres each, enclosed and divided by substan
tinl post-and-rai and stone fence, costing in
the aggregate about 81, 500. This season he
had about 100 acres in wheat, averaging be-
tween 30 and 40 bushels to the acre about so
acres ia corn promising at least 10 barrels to
the acre about $50 acres in timothy, yielding
about $50 tons of good hay; about 80 acres in
6ne clover, to be turned under this Fall for
wheat, and the residue in fine pasture.
Upon the place are two fine orchards Of APP
pies and peaches, embracing four acres each
one acre in young pear trees, and three acres
in grapes of all varicties-the latter growing
in terraces on the south side of steep hill,
upon which the mansion is situated. Around
the orchards, gardens and yards are fine Usage
Orange aud Cedar hedges.
Upon bluff, overlooking the valley of Rock
Greek aud the surrounding country, stands
the mansion, stone building 80 by 81 feet,
two stories high, with attic and basement
finished off in rooms There are also two SUI
perior stone dairies, one at spring adjacent,
and the other at the house, the latter being
supplied with fresh spring water by hydraulic
ram After supplying the dairy the water is
carried in pipes to the stables, hog "Opens, &c.
Some distance in the rear of the dwelling
stands fine Swiizer barn 10 by 80 feet, with
stabling in basement, and COW sheds, with
sails, 81 by l6 feet on the end Of the same
la addition there is an open shed 80 feet long.
There are also two corn houses, holding about
800 barrels EACH large granary, tool-house
aad potato-cellar combined, and other out
huildings-the whole buildings costing about
81, 500 1t will be observed that the cost of
the fencing and buildings are identical and
that taking the cost of both they average about
$50 per acre.
In walking about the barn we think we dis.
covered one of Tie great secrets of Judge B.
in farming, and il consisted 10 the consruc
ton Of the barnyard for saving manure. It
is enclosed on two sides by solid stone wall
several feet high, and here during the winter
all stock is fed. When the place becomes foul
fresh straw is hauled ia aud trampled under
the feet Of the cattle until solid mass Of ma
nure is formed from II to 6 feet deep. At the
proper season this is paid BACH 10 the land from
whence it came. Another very important
pontin regard to this place is, that notwilh-
standing the large outlay for improvements
each year, it has never failed to pay Interest on
capital invested, besides a handsome prof
We often hear people talk Of the great ad
van;ages of farming the rich lands Of the
West ard deriding the poverty-stricken fields
of old Montgomery, butt glance at this fine
farm, rescued from rocks, marshes and old
fields, [ which would almos; make crow
sick to fly over, shows conclusively what
may be done by energy, pluck and good judg-
ment The truth is we have at home adyan-
tnges for agriculture which we could not get
elsewhcre-fne healthy climate, good water
and short distance from the best markets in
the country.
The Festival at Olney.-Thursday,
the 23d inst, the Inhabitants OF Meehancsville
and vicinity were enlivened By an affair of IN
usual interest in the shape of festival for
the benef, OF the Protestant Episcopal church.
The festival was held in the handsome and
convenient Grange Hall, which was tastefully
decorated for the occasion.
Notwithstanding severe rain, the guests
began to assemble at an early hour, and by
nine o'clock the rooms were pretty well filed
All the beauty and gallantry of the neigh
borhood was represented, and never yet has
it been our lot to witness a larger concourse
of "fair women" There was Il large cake TO
be voted to the baudsomest lady present, and
the voting, at five cents vote, began early
and continued until ten o'clock, when the
polls closed.
There was an excellent opportunity for the
politicians to learn the delicate art Of wire
pulling, and no doubt they only neglected 10
take advantage ot it on account Of the rain.
The ladies who received votes are too nu-
merous to mention, but those receiving the
highest number we're Miss Saidee MagrudeT,
who got the cake Miss Lucy Hutton, Miss
Ella Magruder and Miss Lulu Young, OF
Washington, D. G.
The last feature of the programme vas the
disposal by auction Of the articles remaining
on hand, Col Washington Bowie playing the
role of auctioneer.
The affair was complete success, both
financially and otherwise clearing one hun