The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-03-06

1HeIc IL d houCioeO ""PP-J
the farm, consisting of good apple orchard,
cherry, pear and peach trees, grapes and
other fruits. When Mr.. Shafer came
into possession, in 1865, the yield was 10
to 20 bushels of wheat per acre, and from
s to 10 barrels of corn. The farm yields
now. per acre, from 20 to % bushels OF
wheat and from 10 to IA barrels of corn.
The order of rotation observed is about as
follows: Turn sod for corn; corn land seeded
to rye or oats; seed clover; the following
wear pasture, manure and turn down for
wheat the following stubble for wheat
again; the next spring seed in grass generally
to NOW to prepare sod for corn again.
The stock kept consists of seven head OF
horses, and about 20 to % head of cattle.
The cattle consist of grades of Teeswater,
Durham and Attorney The hogs are
Poland China. The poultry comprises
Partridge Cochins and Plymouth Rocks:
The farm is well fenced, partly by post and
rail and partly by worm fence.
Westminster is the shipping point and
market for the produce of the farm, except
when it is preferred to send directly to
Baltimore. The farm is very conveniently
located with respect to postoffice, church,
mills, public schools and other conveniences.
The Cranberry Public School is located
within half a mile of the farm. When the
service of mechanic, physician, or any
other service is needed, or when shopping
is to be done, or the ordinary marketing of
the farm is to be attended to, Westminster
is very convenient, being only three miles
distant, over good country roads. Indeed,
Skaters Resurvey possesses many advan-
tages in point of location, not enjoyed by
those who live at a greater distance from
the county seat.
The proprietor of Skaters Resurvey
owns another farm, situated on Little Pipe
Greek. in the seventh election district.
This farm contains III acres of fine farming
land, and is occupied by his son, Abraham
Shafer. 1t is well stocked with fruit OF
all kinds usually grown in this part of
Maryland, embracing a very line apple
orchard. The dwelling house is of frame,
and was built by Leonard Powder, grand
father of the late Jacob Powder, of this
neighborhood, sometime previous to his
death, which occurred in 1776, the year
Independence was declared. Notwithstand-
ing its great age, being ITO years old, it Is
still comfortable dwelling, and likely to
stand for many years to come. This prop
erty was bought of Col John K. Longwell,
at s65 per acre, or S11, 115. The farm
combines several tracts of land known as
Spinning Wheel, Good Fellowship, and Re
survey on Lookabout.
Mr.. Lewis Shafer is type of the sue,
cessful Carroll county farmer He has
made agriculture his business, as his father,
grandfather and eat-grandfather did be-
fore him. 1t is the source Of a just pride
to live under the same roof, to tread the
same soil, and to turn the furrow in the
same fields where our ancestors did before
us, for several generations.
Satisfied with the bounty of heaven IL
clothing his fields with grass, and with the
rich harvests of golden grain, and dottlns
them over with sleek and well-favored kline
entertaining no desire to accumulate unne,
cessary wealth, and painting for no distlne,
ton outside of his accustomed occupation
the successful farmer is wise if he early de,
termines never to exchange the healthy ano
invigorating breezes of his native hills and
valleys for the pestilential, breath-polluteo
atmosphere of the city; and the character
of plain, honest, unassuming cultivator o.
the earth, for that of a smart, shifty
Sinking vendor of small wares, compelled
to make his living by his wits, and to jostl'
and elbow his neighbors in the crowded
walks of the city full. He contemplate
with mingled sensations of pity and wonde
the deplorable delusion which leads so man,
thousands from the salutary labors AM
tranquil, life-giving enjoyments of thu
country, to the feverish, restless and bar
RAISING hustle of the crowded mart,
Where with like haste thro' various ways they rur
Some TO undo, and some to be undone.
From occasional visits to the scenes Q
commercial activity, from the confused
.distracting hum and din of an infatuate
multitude, scrambling with eager anxiet
for the wherewithal to procure their dali
, bread, he returns with ever new delight t
/. his rural employments, to the serene repos
t of his quiet home, and to all
, 1.-THE charms which nature to her votary yields )"
: In spring, the delightful season Of ligh
; and life, and joy, how does the devout bosol
glow with rapturous alteration of tha
Benehcent Power, which, while silent
y preparing for the nourishment of all tn;
!, live, spreads abroad, with inexhaustibl
profusion, the treasures of sweetness an
u the splendors of vernal beauty. Wit
: what intense pleasure and delight does b
/ gaze upon the autumpal coloring OF tt
variegated forest, and autumns bounteou
store With what sublime emotion ca
Il he listen to the storms of winter, while b
= and his, the favored of heayen, are blesse
T. with all the comforts that sweeten existen'
n and give zest to life. How often whe
I contemplating the harmonious march of tt
1t seasons-springtime and harvest, summ'
and winteR-has he exclaimed, in the lal
d guage of their immortal poet, Thompson,
"These. as they change, Almighty Father, these
0 Are but the varied God. The rolling year
n Is full Of Thee"