The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-09-19
NATURE MADE A BOND SLAVE.



A Paris correspondent gives an in
teresting account of q model farm, stu
ated about twenty miles from the French
metropolis. The farm is about 15, 900
acres in size, and has. the river Seine on
one side and railroad on the other.
Paul Decanville, the eldest son of the
first proprietor, is the present manager
of the farm, but he will soon have the
assistance Of his three brothers, who are
now preparing themselves for their work
at the Polytechnique, Ecole Centrale,
and Ecole des Mines. Connected with
the farm is O model village of more than
fifty houses, with cooperative stores,
for the agricultural employees. The
land is situated on an extensive plateau,
and is therefore especially suitable to
the style OF farming pursued by the late
proprietor, NJ. Armand Decanville. The
land being high, with insufficient natural
water supply in many seasons, M. De-
canvllle erected pumping works on a
large scale, and laid network of pipes
for artificial irrigation all over the prop
erty. The height of the plateau above
the river enabled him to drain off quick
ly any surplus rainfall, while any de-
iciency was easily made good by his
pumping works. He also took advan-
tage of every Improvement in machinery,
introducing. English and American in
ventlons whenever he could thereby
economize labor.
The estate is divided into four sepa-
rate departments. The first includes the
teamwork proper, the animals, dairy and
implements; the second consists of the
beet sugar mandatory, the pumping
works and the gas works; the third
is devoted to the quarry, which is,
nevertheless, one of the most pro-
fitable of the four, since a fine
quality of grindstones and millstones
is produced; the fourth includes the
forges, repair shops, and the manufac-
tory OF freight tram cars, of which a
great many are used on the farm and
| also sold outside. The managers office
communicates by telegraph with the
quar- 'ers OF each department overseer,
| and other wires are run to different
points on the farm from the sub Offices.
Since the invention of the telephone nj
Paul Decanville has discussed the desira.
| bility of increasing the number OF points
| OF teleSraphic communication, and it is
| probable that telephones will be placed
in every field, so that instant commu-
nication can be had with the laborers.
| Heretofore system of signals has been
in use, but it will doubtless be super
seded by the telephone. The beet sugar
distillery was one of the first erected in
France, and it has proved remarkably
successful. At the present time very
large portion of the farm is devoted to
beet cultivation. Hops are also grown
extensively and with unusual success
Indeed, it would be difficult for any CROP
to be a failure. The earth is never
allowed to rest. 1t is never fallow,
except for short period after harvest,
when it is used for pasture. The steam
ploughs are always at it. No portion is
left waste. There are no fences, no un,
cultivated nooks 1t is divided only by
occasional drainage bitches, and the
crops grow close up to the edges. As
soon as one crop has been harvested and
conveyed by the tram cars to the barns
preparations are made for another.
Fertilizers are thoroughly spread and
turned under. Other machines break
the ground and prepare it for new seed
and before Mother Earth can feel that
one weight has been lifted from hel
bosom, she is threatened with another
Everything is done systematically anc
rapidly, yet without haste. Every croI
is treated by itself in such way tina
there is little or nothing left to chance
If hay is to be cut, it is all done in one
day, when the prospect is fine. If rail-
is threatened, an army of workers rapid
ly places every straw under waterproof
| -,
is as rapidly spread and allowed to cure
Then, before any injury can happen tc
it, it is loaded up, run off to the weigl
yard, baled, strapped and stored, OF
else Immediately sent to be sold, &C
cording to the state of the market. L
nightfall seems likely to interfere will
the proper gathering of any crop, elec
trio lanterns are SO placed as to light up
the field, and the work goes steadily on
Nature is made bond slave. If sht
smiles on the farmers labors, she il
allowed to do so without interference
but if she attempts to overturn his cal
culations by any of the usual methods
by which she damages crops-storms
drought, rain etc.-she is made to stant
aside while artificial aid is given t.
them. Is it too dry? Open the irriga
ton pipes, and sprinkle all the land will
refreshing showers morning and even
ing. Is it too wet? Open the drains
and hasten off the surplus water.
In an elegantly-kept park, surrounde,
by flower gardens, stands the fsmil,
house. 1t is only one story in height
and covers great deal of ground
There is no questioning the good tast,
of the occupants. While comfort il
apparent in every part, there is no lacl
| of tasteful ornamentation. There i
luxury without profusion, and eleganc,
without waste. Nine. Decanville is sai(
to be lady of fine education and accom-
plishments, and her house shows her Il
be of a refined nature. 1t is comfort
able without being slipshod, stylish
without being stiff. In the large hall
and in fact all around the house, ar
numbers of birds. The gardens ar
miracles of beauty. And yet the mistres
is no idler for all her aesthetic tastes. Sh'
is the manager of the household, as he
husband is the manager of the estate; an(
from all accounts she is no less success
full. She attends to all the household
accounts, superintends the household
work, and directs the management o
the gardens and poultry yard. She ha
large force of servants, both male ant
female, solely under her control, and
understand that the profits of the poul
try yard are all ceded to her pin money
A Royal Silver Wedding.