Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-11
VANDERBILT As A FARMER.
Views OF His Character by staten Island and
Other Friends.
New York Times.

New York Times.
Mr.. Vanderbilt is best remembered
on Staten Island as farmer. For q
bankers clerk, and the son Of wealthy
man at that, to 60 upon farm with his
young wife, and not only bring order
out Of chaos, but make it the best farm
on the island, was something which
must Of necessity 60 into the history Of
Richmond county. The secret Of his
success, Mr.. John Scott, An old friend
of his, says was due not only to his en-
ergy in looking after things, but in
great measure to the fact that he always
made an abundant and skilfal use Of
fertilizers. The farm was the richest
on Staten Island. The best corn, the
largest vegetables, and the richest hay
were raised there, and everything found
aready market in New York. The
shipping was done by schooner from
the foot Of New-Dorp lane, the vessel
on its return trip invariably bringing
cargo Of fertilizing material. This
method Of sending produce to market
from the farm has not changed in any
particular from that day to this. The
hsy-and they raised great quantities
Of twas pressed at the barns and
sent to the city in bales. For many
years the grain, hay, and produce of
the farm aggregated $4,000 in va ue
yearly.
AS a farmer. with nearly $50 acres
finally under cultivation, MIR. Wander
bnt held to the view that his time
should be given entirely to managing
the work. Every employee, however,
had to do full days work. He ar
gued that he could not afford to dc
manual labor himself while he had
such large farm on his hands. Hi:
propensity to sit on the top Of rail
fence and watch the men work was the
cause Of much good-natured criticism
among his neighbors, who thought thai
q farmer should encourage his mel
to work by working hard himself
Il. p. Barton tells good story concern
ing Mr.. yanderbilt's habit Of sitting OF
the fence. Dick one Of the farm
hands, who is to this day described q
rafting good farmer and goo
fence maker, found it necessary to re
pair Mr. yanderbilt's favorite fence
Upon mounting to his accustomed sea
on the following morning Mr.. Wander
bilt found the smallest rails on top wit
the sharp edges up.
Here, Dick" he demanded Of tn
farm hand, whats the meaning Of a
these sharp edges on tops"
"Thats all right, Boss" returne
the man; that's for you TO sit on /.
II Is said that this same piece Of ten'
may be found in its original position 9
the farm to-day.
Those old days on the New-Dol
farm. Mr.. Vanderbilt often said, wei
the happiest Of his life. His wife all
looked upon the farming days as Il
pleassntest that she had ever know,
They wsnt down to New-Dorp in lsl.
end in 1868 they moved away, after NJ
Vanderbilt had redeemed the Slater
= Island railroad from bankruptcy an
given . new impetus. to busine.
on the island. For many years aftel
ward he drove down to the farl
every Sunday. OF recent years h
visits we're fewer in number, but whe
be went down he always found time I
talk over old times with some Of hi
friends. On last Friday, when be visit
ed Richmond 10 turn over all his Staten
Island property 70 his son George, h
took dinner with Mr.. II. G. Clsusen, Al
old neighbor whose farm adjoins tn,
Vanderbilt property. This now con
sisis Of about seventy acres, includin,
the old Richmond backgrounds, and i
IN charge Of Robert Woodruff.
: Mr. Vanderbilt IL said To have pro-
vidsd literally for . number Of PEN
sioness on Staten Island for many years.
A number Of Businessmen owe their