The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-12-26

Imaginable. ne lulnUcI uSSu III ClO "OOU-
work of this building is without knot or
blemish. Two marble mantelpieces, in the
lower rooms, were wrought out by the
hands of the celebrated sculptor Rinehart,
of whose name and fame Carroll county is
Justly proud, as one of her most distin-
guished sons. There are % rooms in the
entire building, including a very fine and
well-lighted basement. The skillful master
workman who constructed the building
and superintended its erection from the
foundation to the apex, was Mr.. Benjamin
Forester, of Baltimore city, then of West
minister, who also built the Jail of Carroll
county. The whole building is heated by
furnace in the basement, and by open
CRATES and registers, when they are needed,
or when the weather is too moderate for
the greater heat of the furnace. 1t is
lighted by handsome chandeliers, supplied
with gas by a Springfield gas machine,
located in the basement, in which, also, is
laundry room, pantry, a department for
fuel, and all constructed in the best manner.
The mansion is surrounded by an ample
lawn, studded with fine spreading shade
trees of different varieties, planted by Major
Eye. The lawn is laid out into circles,
squares, and walks, and covered with
velvety sward kept neat and trim by true
son of Erin, who is himself from county
Antrim, who has become almost part and
parcel of the place. The fine vegetable
garden also, is equally the object of his
care and, whether his skill is employed in
the production of fruits or flowers, his do
main is undisputed.
The outbuildings at Antrim are all in
keeping with the mansion. The barn is
large and built in the best manner 1t is
100 feet long by 60 feet wide, the lower
compartments well plastered, affording stable
room for large number of horses and
cattle. There is large carriage and har
ness house, sufficient for several carriages.
A large hennery for the shelter of the
poultry, and an ice house twenty feet deep,
with sufficient capacity for the storage of
ice enough to last all the year round.
There are a number of other outbuild-
ings, all neat and tidy, giving the place the
appearance of a village. There is also a
brick office, "a feet square, used by Major
Eye as a business Office and repository
for books and papers. The premises are
we'll watered. The mansion is supplied by
pump, cistern and spring, while there is
running water in every field, making it
most convenient for stock of all kinds.
There are four excellent apple orchards on
the farm, in full bearing, containing many
varieties of choice fruit, also pears, peaches,
cherries, &C. There are 40 acres of good
timber, consisting principally of oak and
hickory, ample for all the purposes of the
farm. At present the farm is under the
tillage of three tenants, and produces lib
orally all the ordinary crops usually grown
in this section, such as wheat, corn, oats,
timothy, clover, &c. About fifteen head
of horses are employed in tilling the farm
and in the ordinary farm work for which
horses are required.
The soil of Antrim is naturally suscep-
tible of easy improvement, and has been
literally fertilized 1t is situated in what
is known as the cred Lands of Carroll,
and in what is claimed to be the most fer
tile soil of the county. 1t Las long been
question between the inhabitants of the
dRed Lands" and the dwellers upon the
limestone, the graystone, and the honey
comb rock soils, as to which was the most
productive in the various grasses and &C.
reals. The people residing about fancy
town claim that they can excel any other
part of the county in the production of
wheat, the most important of all the crops
grown by the farmer. And it would seem
that their claim is well sustained by the
actual ascertained yield, per acre, in a
series of years together. But, the lime
stone soil men, and the gray rock and
honey comb men are not prepared to yield
the palm to the "Red Lands" however
productive in wheat they may be claimed
to be. 1t is contended, and with consid-
cradle show of reason, that the contest is
not vet settled, that it is still an open
question, to be left to the arbitration of a
spirited but generous rivalry between the
sections. Land that will produce 40, 80,
or 60 bushels of wheat per acre, under
judicious management, will require years
to determine its relative value and produc-
tiveness, and the question-which is the
best-may well be held in allegiance until
the progressive skill and energy of our en-
terprising farmers shall have reached the
ultima thule of improvement, and it can
then be determined by well authenticated
statistics and actual and accurate measure
ment.
Such estates as Antrim are not often to
be met with anywhere-so complete In all
its appointments as to leave little to be de-
sired by the most refined and aesthetic
tastes. If true happiness and contentment
are ingredients in the mingled cup Of hui
man exis.ence-if they can be found any
where-it seems to us they ought to be
found at Antrim. The situation is beauti-
full, the building imposing and convenient,
the grounds high and healthy, and by
common consent it is one of the hand
soonest and most desirable estates in the
county Mr.. Clabaugh, the present pro-
prietor, may we'll cherish for it feeling
akin to affection He is, however, neces-
sarily much absent from home. He is a
member of the Carroll county bar, and
practices his profession in Westminster,
taking the cars, in the morning, after
breakfast, of the Frederick and Pennsylvania
Line Railroad, and of the Western Mary
land at the junction, for Westminster, and
returning in the evening, by the same
roads, in time for tea. He thus spends his
nights at Antrim and his days in West
minister, except in the winter season, when
he is domiciled here, and Antrim is closed.
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DOLLS.