The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-12-19
FARMS OF CARROLL.
EDGEWOOD.
The Residence of Edward S. Bale
Written for the Democratic Advocate.

Tno heS1O6uCG Ol Ell" e1Io ~ D]AAS'
In pursuance of our purpose heretofore
announced, to present to the readers OF this
journal sketches of some of the most notable
and valuable of the farms of Carroll county,
we give in the present sketch some account
of EDGEwOoD, the beautiful residence OF
Mr.. Edward S. Bale, son of Isaac Z. Bale,
Eso'r., of Westminster. EDGEwOOD IS
situated on the turnpike running from
Westminster towards Littlestown, Pa. 1t
is only two and a half miles from West
minister, and contains 1929 acres Of land,
all arabic. If convenience of location en-
hances the value of land and is an advan-
tage to the proprietor, Mr.. Bale has that
advantage in high degree. Within sight
of the county seat convenient to churches,
schools mills, stores, postofice, and two
stations on the Western Maryland Railroad,
this farm possesses advantages which be-
long to comparatively few others, and make
it one of the most desirable residences
within the limits of the county. The farm
originally belonged to the Matthias family,
but subsequently came into the possession
of Mr.. John Orendorff, who married Miss
Mary NJ. Matthias. After his death it de-
scended to his son, Mr.. Francis III. Oren-
dorff, of Westminster, who, after occupying
it nineteen years, sold it to the present pro-
prietor in 1882, for the sum of $4,000.
Included in the sale was the half of the
wheat crop then growing upon the farm.
When the property came into the posses
sion of Mr.. Francis III. Orendorff there
were ten acres of it in wood, which he
cleared off, making every foot of it arabic.
About twelve acres were rich meadow
land. which Mr. Orendorf thoroughly
underdrained by means of stone bitches, at
a cost of about 81, 100. For this outlay
the proprietor was amply repaid by the
first two crops of hay and barley. The
meadow was originally thickly set in a
growth of iute, which took ten years
to entirely eradicate. Fine, commodious
barns are the pride of all Carroll county
farmers. They must have a good barn,
with ample storage capacity for their crops
and implements, and shelterfor their flocks
and herds, even if the dwelling be indif-
ferent They carry out, to the fullest ex
tent, the Scripture aphorism, that "the
merciful man is merciful to his beast" "
This was eminently true of Mr.. John Oren-
dorff, father of the late proprietor, who
built the very fine barn which now adorns
the property. Its dimensions are 46 by SO
feet, and affords stabling for II head of
horses and % head of cattle, with a wagon
shed and other conveniences. The man.
sion is built of brick, very substantially put
together, and covered with slate roof. 1t
was erected in 1868 by Mr.. Francis II.
Orendorff, is two stories high, and contains,
including basement, sixteen rooms. 1t has
large, handsome porch in front, and also
at the side At the battle of Gettysburg,
fought July l, 2 and 3 of that year, before
the house was thoroughly finished, it was
occupied by Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, who
lodged there all night, having passed
through Westminster on his way to that
sanguinary conflict between the forces OF
Generals Lee and Meade Mr.. Orendorf
still has vivid remembrance of this unex
pected and unceremonious visit.
Being a man noted for improvements
Mr.. Orendorff laid out an ample lawn and
adorned it with beautiful shade trees, which
extend from the dwelling to the pike, at:
fording refreshing shade and tempering the
heat of summer in the hottest weather, as
we'll as affording shelter in winter. A
stately and commodious dwelling and fine
large barn demanded other outbuildings in
keeping with them, to preserve the harmony
of the tout ensemble. These were added
by Mr.. Orendorff, one after another, as
need or convenience required, and consisted
of brick smoke or meat house, two stories
frame dairy, plastered and well finished
a two-story wash house, fruit drying
house and bake oven, a wood house, hog
house, capable of storing 40 barrels Of corn
and accommodating 30 to 40 head of hogs
a poultry house, house for agricultural
and mechanical implements, corn crib
capable of storing 80 barrels, and carriage
house. These were all conveniently grouped
and disposed about the premises, and adapt
ed to their several purposes, with a pump
of the best soft water at the house, one at
the barn, and another at the hog house, so
as to water all the stock with a minimum
amount of labor The farm is also well
stocked with fruit, having fine apple
orchard, and cherries, plums, pears, &c.
The intelligent and thrifty farmer, who
is thorough in all his methods, will not only
provide good buildings and adorn and beau
tify his residence and surround it with
beautiful lawns and every appliance of taste
and comfort, but he will look after the
useful as well as the ornamental Mr..
Orendorff enclosed his farm with substan-
tial chestnut post and rail fencing and
divided it into seven fields, in which he
grew crops of wheat, corn, oats, potatoes
and grass, in rotation. His system of TO-
tation was to plow grass land for corn, put
corn ground in wheat and sometimes clover
land, and occasionally the wheat land was
re-seeded to wheat, and then put in grass
again.
The farm is yielding now from % to 80
bushels of wheat per acre, and from 10 to
IL barrels of corn Under its present
management it is not likely to recede in
productiveness, butrather to advance. Mr..
Bale is a thorough farmer, and makes his
agricultural operations his study and de-
light; and if he should lack anything, the
guiding hand of his father, who is also an
experienced agriculturist who has always
taken pleasure in such pursuits, would
keep him on the proper track.
There is a wide difference between the
amateur farmer who foIlowsit for diversion
or amusement, and the farmer who follows
his occupation for success The latter will
give it his whole attention, because his
heart is in the work, and he viii achieve
: a,.eoaac 4yhoro tha foruoar would only fail