Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-05-19
"HILLTOP."
FARMING AND LIVESTOCK GROWING.

A mile or SO over to the left from the pike
road leading to Waynesboro. on the Western
side of Christians Creek, which. at that place
makes long, graceful curve, is the Hilltop
farm of Mr.. Hugh A. s. Hamilton. The low
grounds along the Creek are broad and fertile
and extend back up the wales which point
down from the up-lands to the slowly flowing
stream. Hilltop" is truly an appropriate
name for this portion of Augustus domain
where constant effort and the practical appli'
cation and experience of Mr.. Hamilton are en-
gagged in developing varied industries. as they
weave the well-adjusted threads that make
the strong wool of success in his well-consid-
cred plans.
The high smooth hills roll back to the West,
mingling, their scenery with forest grounds,
which rise in the distance. Winding valleys
lend picturesque beauty to their upward-rising
sides in the green sward, the growing wheat
and the tall clover and timothy, which will
soon invite the mower and the reaper to their
timely and efficient work. The thrifty orchard
is also there on gentle slope. at the foot of
which is the fish pond. stocked with Carp. So,
also near by. are the garden and vineyard
The Ice and dairy houses-the latter below,
and receiving through pipe the drain of wa
ter from the ice Fruit. and laundry. and
fruit-drying house. and poultry-houses, and
wells and cisterns, with pumps in them, are all
in the economy of the Hilltop plans. The
stabling and shelter for all the stock is COM
pactly arranged. and near by is the food-crush-
er and grinding-mill, run by horsepower. and
last, but not the least in Importance, is the
Toulouse, with tools of all kinds necessary
for building purposes. The outbuildings are
methodically arranged, plain, and convenient
and show home-handiwork in their construc-
ton. Swine pens and sheep-folds are numer-
Gus. Every thing seems to be arranged with
reference to economy in labor and in giving
Winter. attention to all his herds. On an ell
evated plateau, surrounded by all these prac-
tical and useful appliances for the pursuits at
"Hilltop," is superb brick residence, with
here and there as the eye is cast around, near
and distant views alternating in the group OF
its attra ctions.
Last Thursday aftern Don, Mr.. John W. Todd,
so well known as one of our leading mer
chants progressive and earnest farmer, who
has obeyed the public call in assuming the du-
ties of the Presidency of the Baldwin District
Fair, proposed 10 the writer a drive out to
Hilltop in his rockaway behind his fleet
footed Morgan mare, making five miles in 80
minutes. We were welcomed by Mr.. John
Hamilton the venerable father of the propri-
etor, who soon made his appearance. 1t was
charming afternoon, and over the farm and
round about we had lengthy strolls with the
understanding that cur host should do all the
talking, for we were there to see and learn his
ways and methods in the conduct OF his sever
al industries. In the SPECTATOR we had form
erly reported his premiums at Baldwin Au-
gusta the Roanoke and State-Fairs, where he
had taken the first prizes at all for his Cots
void and Southdown sheep. and at the same
Fairs had carried off good awards for his Ches
ter White and Poland-China swine. He has
also a good herd of Jersey cattle, but we be-
lieve he has put his energies for success in the
lines of sheep and swine.
Weknew Mr.. hamilton raised fine crops in
addition to the fame he had won in the live
stock line, and in his good yields of wool. and
desiring to look through such an establish
ment for our own qualification, it has occur
red to us that sketch might as well be made,
for he deserves a better in print than the one
now ramblingly made.
AS remarked, Mr.. Hamilton's fame has gone
abroad as a grower of improved sheep and
swine In addition to his Chester and Poland
China, he rears the Yorkshire breed of hogs,
which, when crossed with heavier kind,
makes the highest grades of family bacon.
Mr.. Hamilton has large number of orders
from breeders on file for sheep and hogs, to be
filled this Fall He will be prepared also to
exhibit fuller pens tn an usual of both at the
Baldwin District and State-Fairs. His clip of
WOOL which has just been taken at Hilltop"
from one hundred sheep, weighs eight hundred
pounds and was sent up to the city last week.
Whilst out on one of the rounded elevations
overlooking the valley of the Creek, and just
as the suns last rays came aslant across the
sides of Betsy Bell" the farm time.signal
rang out its notes that the days work was
over and the hours for labor to merge in rest
and refreshment had arrived. Our host lead
ing the way, we repaired to the mansion,
where Mrs. Hamilton made the second invita-
t1on to its shades in a bountifuly-spI cad table.
one VIII ich will be long remembered by the wis.,
itors who called at Hilltop to learn of its in
dustries, but not allowed to depart till they
had enj Dyed its rich inequalities.