The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-02-06
FARMS OF CARROLL.
BLACK OAK RIDGE
The Residence of Philip Il. Babylon.


from Westminster to Uniontown will notice,
not far from the last named place, upon the
left hand side of the turnpike, the dwelling
tsanding we'll back from the road, one of
the neatcst looking farms that he will pass
in the course of his journey. To the eye
even of the casual observer, there is album
dant evidence of careful management, good
farming and thrift The fine appearance
which the farm presents tellsits own story.
1t plainly says-as if uttered in so many
words-here is farm under the manage
ment of man who understands his bust
ness-that the proprietor himself, or his
tenant, exercises an intelligent supervision
over all the details of the farming opera
tions, and probably puts his own hands to
the work. The fields not under culture
are well set in grass. The field planted in
corn is free from weeds, and bears evidence
of thorough tillage. The ground is clean,
the corn dark green, well-eared and vigo-
rous. The stubble, after the last harvest,
was as green as a leek with rank growth
of young clover. The fencing is all post
and rail and in the best order. The head
lands, or turning rows" free from briers,
sassafras, MULLEN or wild carrot. The
gates, enclosures, and everything about the
premises is in good order, telling that there
is careful and intelligent supervision
over the whole farm and its appurtenances.
This is the residence of Philip ii. Babylon,
son of Mr.. John Babylon, of Westminster.
Mr. P H. Babylon is himself engaged in
commercial pursuits in Baltimore, leaving
the farm to the charge of tenant, Mr.
John Benedict. Mr.. John Babylon,
brother of Philip H., is also in Baltimore,
engaged in manufacturing.
The farm is known by the title Of Black
Oak Ridge, and contains 1876 acres. Itwas
purchased of Mr.. John Smith, in 1910, at
S65 per acre, or $4,000. About twenty
acres are in timber The farm is divided
into nine fields, four of them well set in
timothy and clover. 1t is well
watered by fine unfailing stream. The
surface of the ground is comparatively level,
or just sufficiently undulating to make the
drainage easy. The crops grown are wheat,
corn, oats, timothy and clover.
This property was formerly united with
the adjoining farm, now belonging to Hon.
Charles B. Roberts, of Westminster, and
constituted one farm, but was subsequently
divided. A legend in the neighborhood
says it was bought of the original proprie-
tor by gentleman living in Philadelphia,
and paid for with continental money, but
that he never occupied it. Mr.. Thomas
Metcalf subsequently owned it, and lived
there until his removal to Frederick county.
When Mr.. John Babylon, father of the
present occupant, bought the farm, the av
erage yield was about ten barrels Of corn to
the acre, and from fifteen to twenty bushels
of wheat. 1t now produces about twelve
or fifteen barrels of corn to the acre, and
from twenty-five to thirty bushels of wheat,
according to the season.
The house was built by Mr.. Metcalf,
about one hundred years ago, of whom the
farm and improvements were bought by
Mr.. Smith. 1t is of brick, two stories
high, and contains ten rooms. The hall is
seven feet wide, extending to the stairway.
The house is surrounded by lawn beau
tilted with shade trees. The barn is 33
feet wide by 20 in length, and substantially
built, the lower story of brick, with all the
necessary outbuildings conveniently located
around it. There is abundance of fruit Of
several varieties on the farm, including a
fine apple orchard of sixty trees in full
bearing. The farm is well and neatly en-
closed with post and rail fencing About
twenty head of cattle are kept on the farm
for home use, and few steers are annually
fed for market. The cattle are grades,
mixed with shorthorns, heavy and well de-
veloped. The swine are Berkshires. The
peculiarities of this breed are-hardiness,
early growth, small bone easy to fatten and
of more delicate flavor and fibre than
some other varieties. The bacon produced
from the Berkshire hog is considered supe
rior to that from any other breed. They
are considered less ravenous feeders than
the Suffolk, Essex, and some other kinds,
and fatten more readily. The situation of
Black Oak Ridge is high and healthy, free
from all local causes of sickness whatever.
Mr. John Babylon owns two other farms
adjoining Black Oak Ridge. One of them,
known as the Wagner farm, was the prop
erty of Mr.. John Wagner, and was bought
by Mr. Babylon after Wagoner's death, at
executors sale, for the sum of S6,8S8, or
s42 per acre, the farm containing ga acres.
This property is equally as productive as
Black Oak Ridge, and in every way well
improved. The dwelling is of brick, COM
modious and convenient. The barn is 80
by so feet, with all the modern conveniences.
The other farm comprises ITO acres.
Sixty acres of this farm were bought of
Mr.. Thomas Townsend at $50 per acre.
Twenty acres were bought of Mr.. David
Roop and Mr.. Young, and thirty were
taken from the other farm, making ITO in
ALL The house is frame, built by himself.
There is good pump at the house and one
at the barn. The house was built about
1879, the barn in 1866. These farms are
all adjoining each other, are well improved
and productive, well stocked with fruit,
and have good buildings, fencing, and every
appliance needed for first-class farms.
Mr.. Babylon is now in the 18th year of
his age His work is done, SO far as taking
hold with his hands is concerned, but his
eye still keeps an intelligent and watchful
supervision over his affairs Nor has he
labored in vain. He may be justly ranked
among the solid men of Carroll, and is es-
teemed as one of our most substantial citi-
zens. What is more, he is the architect of
his own fortune, having won it fairly by
industry and economy, and by an intelligent
direction of his business affairs. He com
menced life by dealing in the produce of
the country, and by disposing of it at
fair and living profit in the city of Balti-
more, visiting the city weekly for that pur-
pose He prospered in his pursuits and
made money. And, when he had made it,
he took care of it, putting il to proper use.
Many persons find it less difficult to make
money than to save it, and make judi
cious investment of it after it is saved.
With many persons it is harder to bear