Montgomery County sentinel., 1882-06-23

Model Farm-a Smiling homestead a Jlt-
diciOs and Practical Fdrner-L Luxurious
and Picturesque MoadoDs-Rich Pasture
Lands-LOng Lines Of Immense StoneloaH
Fencing Orchards and Vineyards-E0ery
Variety Of Ornamental Shade Trees Eoery
Production Of Soil and Climate-An EEten-
aOe Dairy-Attractioe Fish Lake-YistOric
associations, Thoughts and Incidents
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE SENTINEL.
AS have already remarked, the morning
was bright and beautiiul-heecy clouds wan
dered across the heavens like the shadowless
and shapeless dreams of fair and thought
less beauty. The warm southern spring had
burst its green bonds and flown suddenly
into the arms of summer-it lay disportng
itself in the splendor of new-clad flowers
DER the fields, and laughing up at the daz-
Zling sky like a babe smiling in its mothers
face
Passing over stone bridge, which gave
evidence of great artistic skill, we plunged
into the first section of large and extern
sive meadowland II was the opening up
of series of rich agricultural pictures which
we had but little anticipated. The scene
was one indeed OF picturesque and exquisite
beauty. Semi-circular with the meadow
runs the creek, which is lined with every
character of majestic forest trees-the oak,
the elm, the tulip, the walnut and the ash
whilst here and there the grape vines spanned
streams and lent additional beauty To this
cultivated landscape. To the north Of this
meadowland, and which commanded a full
and extensive view, was 10 be seen the home
stead peepng gladly through the deps1 foli-
! sge Of shriihbery and trees. This pfeso--oi
meadow extends for nearly three-quarters Of
a mile and varying perhaps bali a mile IN
width ,sloping gradually from highland and
resting upon the borders of the creek. This
piece of land at the time that MIR. Ray took
possession OF it had been neglected and suf-
tered to run to waste in bushes and weeds
Approaching the natural character OF the
soil he at once pressed forward and by a
system of drainage has made it thoroughly
productive. In corn il will produce from
twelve TO fourteen barrels per acre without
any fertilizer. His usual crop of hay is from
two TO two and a-half tons to the acre. In
draining this land in seasons of excessive
drought, Mr.. Ray has 80 arranged as to give
gentle flow OF water from the upland. |
may here remark that all of the fields have
been SO divided that each one has a live
stream. The source or head of these streams
have been carefully and attentively looked
after. Each one having been substantially
walled and capped with massive stone, and
| the drainage when not otherwise desired
/ led by blind bitches into the creek at an
angle which would not choke up its conflu-
ence.
Although the season WAS backward, the
timothy was in full luxurience, reaching
f,il. t,, tbo Of horcn ITpnn
inquiry learned that Mr.. Ray only turned
this sod once in ten or twelve years, and
then not because the grass was not rich and
luxurious, but from the fact that much of
the original seeding had given way to foreign
grass. Besides Mr.. Ray claims that this
melowing of the grass land is utterly es-
sential to full fruition and should not be
overlooked longer than this period OF time.
Lending u beautiful contrast TO this low
land is every where TO be seen magnificent
virgin trees-here at the spring lending a
cooling and inviting invitation, yonder upon
some sloping declivity an additional figure
Of attraction.
Reaching the head of this piece of medow-
land and from where the fences join and run,
was forcibly struck with line of walnut
trees. These trees were all the way from six
inches up to thirty-five feet. They were
planted from the seed (walnuD by Mr.. Ray.
They are valuable as they are ornamental
Valuable because of the character of the
timber and the fruit--ornamental because
of its rich, deep shade. Mr.. Ray has an in
ordinate londness and admiration for every
character and species Of trees. They greet
him at the entrance TO his homestead--they
line his fences, they stand out in bold relief
| from every hillside and cluster profusey
around his residence He claims that they
are not only an ornament-not only pro-
lection, but that the leaves are protection
and impart fertility, vigor and tiexibility to
! the soil.
| In the second meadow Mr.. Ray has per-
formed almost Herculean labor In order
to give regularity and taste he has diverted
for some length the channel of Rock Greek,
| Whilst this improvement has been greatly
practical 1t has at the same time been ex-
ceedingly artistic and ornamental, for in
relieving and keeping fresh large portion
Of valuable land which was not heretofore
successfully utilized, he has added u fer
tile island To his iarmstead.
Turning from the rich, grassy flats we
made in the direction of Mr.. Rays resi-
dence. II had been previously fascinated
by any of the natural developments of this
estate, il was even more so when / entered a
ravine of some hundred yards which reached
10 the lawn that skirts the dwelling. At
the very entrance of this ravne stand two
aged willows, the twigs were brought from
the tomb of Pope Gregory the Ill by the late
William Carroll, of the Carrollton family
of Maryland. How many years they have
stood there, changeless in the sunlight in
the summer time, and beneath the chilling
blast of winter, your correspondent did not
learn. Aged and time-worn they stood like
some ssre-hearted mourner, weary and tired
of life.
This ravine was iavorite resort of the
late Francis p. Blair, ST., and as an appre-
citation Of the esteem and friendship which
he ever held for the Robert Y. Brents
family he CALLED it "Brentor." Here in the
closing hours of golden life Mr.. Blair and
his estlmable wife in the early morn and
twilight eve fully realized the consolation
that their lives had been peacefully, useiuy
and honorably spent. The trees that line
this ravine are OF great aye and immense
| growth. The sassairas, the poplar, the elm,
the beach and the locust, rivaling each other
In the splendor OF their luxuriancc.
| Passing from under these old landmarks,
eloquent with the history of former days,
We drove out into thirty acre field which
was heavily set with q dense white clover
| oC1' Wv NV hhOW liS vi lCdNl VI
cattle that were then grazing. Mr.. Ray in.
formed me however that it had been pastured
continuously for twelve months, that this
field had not been broken up for ten years,
and yet II was good rich pasture land. To give
some idea Of the old pasturage, Mr.. Ray in
the course OF two or three days last frii sent
from seventy-five TO hundred dollars worth
OF mushrooms 10 market.
/ The next objects of interest that attracted
my attention and my admiration, were the
full and growing vineyards. The vineyards
are situated ON u sunny slope of high land
overlooking the meadows and catching the
first blush of the morning sun. Mr.. Ray,
in the cultivation Of his vineyards, has pur.
sued very different method than that which
] have ever before observed. His rows of
vines are planted at a distance from each
other sufficient for four-horse team TO pass
down. This, he contends, makes it con
venient to gather the fruit ON either side of
the wagon, and in working the grape vines
he utilizes this space of ground in cabbage
or potatoes. AS long as the grapes continue
profitable they are sent TO market As soon
US the market becomes glutted they are made
/ into wine under tho sunnrintandan,a 80 a