Frostburg mining journal., 1883-06-30

Allegany county almshouse by Mr.
James Reid, steward, who also yield
ed several hours of his time for rur
over the premises.
The property was purchased in
1854 and dedicated to the homeless
poor. Until 1872 several building
additions were made az the demands
for increased Accommodations increased
Two buildlngs are used as domi-
Giles, having a capacity for quarter
ing 30 inmates, though this number
would overcrowd the establishment.
A large ice-house, full of ice an
elegant wash-house and other Leces-
sary out-buildirgs are conveniently
located, the group reaching the ap-
pearance Of village. In place OF
the old stable a new bank barn is in
process reconstruction, Dennis Graves,
Esq, builder. This edifce 40x70
feet, rests upon substantial stone
foundation and will furnish the stab
ling and storage for which the old
building is inadequate. The in.
creased and increasing productiveness
of the farm rendered this improve
ment necessary. By the terms of the
contract it will be completed teforo
the 18th Of July, after which as soon
as convenient the old building will
be torn down.
The property consists Of two tracts
OF so and go acres respectively. The
buildings stand upon the former, the
latter being a mountain tract from
which the almshouse wood is obtain
ed. Unfortunately, however, the
two are separated BY intervening
lands belonging to other parties.
The home tract is in a high state of
cultivation. There are now 81 acres
of wheat nearly ready tor the scy the !;
7 acres OF corn and 2 of potatoes look.
ing thrifty and promising well. There
are 10 acres of meadow land from
which l2 tons of clover have already
been taken, and the steward exrects
to make enough hay this year to sup
ply with ordinary economy aims
house needs for three years to come.
The wheat crop of last year was suf-
fcient to supply bread for the house
seven months. Of corn as much as
300 barrels have been raised on the
farm.
A lsrge garden in front of the
house shows careful cultivation and
promises fine revenue to tho tables
of the house, and a patch of cabbage
near by contains 1000 cabbage plants,
and has space left prepared for as
many more.
A fine orchard on the premises fur
nishes in good seasons abundance of
fruit. Three years ago more apples,
etc, were gathered than the house was
able to consume.
The farm is stocked with s head of
cattle, 8 horses and 2 hcgs, all fat and
thrifty. The usual quota of hogs is 10
or IL, but the cholera during the
winter and spring carried cf8 head.
The approaching harvest pressure
had its effect upon the inmates as
forcibly as upon Mr.. Reid. The de.
sire to get over the ccrn "the third
time and lay it by" pervaded all that
were engaged in plowing and hoeiug.
"fhis must be done" said one, $50
that we can be ready to go into the
wheat and hay fields"
The 80-acre tract is neatly enclosed
BY good board fence, in the con-
struction of which l3 600 eet of lum.
ber was used. Aided by the inmates
all this fencing was put up by Mr..
Al
Reid, the labor not costing the county
cent. All has been white washed
by Adam Scott, who, Mr.. Reid in.
formed us, does that work the sum.
mer round. He is now engaged up
on the fences lining the Little Valley
road. While looking from the porch
at this old man at his work brisk
rain set in. AT once the plowmen
unhitched ard mounted, the choppers
dropped their hoes, and all came to
the house with shouts as merry as
ever came from field hands anywhere.
The farm is a gem. The soil ia
fertile and smooth, easy to work, and
responds generously to cultivation.
Not two tons of stone can he found
upon its surface. The wheat is fully
grown, and the rich clover suggests
the land of milk and honey"
Everything is in fine conditiou-ss
fine as upon any well-conducted farm
anvw here T,ttla nv ~ +.,l1 ::