Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-08-22
A Day at "HfIIside,"

A Day at 1HiIlside,H
In the article last week taking cognizarce o
matters affecting our material prosperity al
the district fair could be made to aid in devel
| opment, we touched upon the relations the
| management of that institution should Guilt
| vate towards the young men to be enrolled al
farmers. 1t was no new theory then advanced
the object being mainly to stimulate eur re
cruiting agencies for enlarging the number OF
young farmers and entering them in the pro-
| gressive classes as they should engage practic.
ally upon the work of life. When writing as
we did. 1T was not in our thoughts that in a
few days thereafter we should have the oppor-
tunity of observing in practical way the val
ue of the suggestions then made, for a revival
Of the good old lessons that cannot be too deep
ly impressed upon the minds of the young
men who are. and should be enlisted in the
development of our husbandry. Our district
fair has many prizes in this particular branch
Of Its service to enrich Its history. and many
more we sincerely hope 1t will have in the fu-
ture to crown its expanding opportunities.
The farming and grazing lands of our Valley
country possess many characteristics. The al
luvial soil in the valleys along the smaller as
ance than the casual observer would suppose.
The strong clay soil of the bills and plateaus
are in.striking contrast, and as the higher ele-
vations OF the central watershed across the
Valley are examined. there the classification,
similar to the superb farming lands Of western
Maryland, ARE noted for their heavy forests and
mixed agricultural and stock growing advan-
tages.
Going south from Staunton by the old Val
ley or "Cross Keys" road as it is known, this
side of the hills that are part of the long
ridge from north to south through the center
of the valley are reached, and when only five
miles from Staunton. more than FIVE hundred
feet of altitude above the city has been attain
ed as the road meanders over interlocking
hills and wales and crossing as many little
brooks coursing their way eastward to join
the head springs of the Shenandoah which
have their origin further south. At the dis
lance mentioned from the city, the road pass
ing through it, is "Rillside," the farm Of Mr..
M. F. Gilkeson, containing nearly four hun.
bred acres. In rolling green hills. high eleva-
lions and winding valleys-in the soils named
as peculiar to our hills and valleys and pla-
teaus and Astounding in the beauties of the va
ried Landscape spread out between our great
mountains. "Hillside' is a fair illustration of
natural advantages as our farmers find their
homesteads possessing, but 1t shows progress
which can only be secured by effort, and sue
cess in the mixed pursuits which comes only
to those who apply labor and tact with reading
and study.
"Hillside'' is an ancestral estate. descending
from father to son through.several generations.
The large brick mansion was erected by 1.-THE
father of the present owner. On the opposite
do 81, li44A fAf
the mansion is the barn, large and stylish, of
sufficient capacity to store the grain crops OF
the place. The front. with its spacious yard is
story above the rear of the building. In the rear
yard or ground story is the stabling Groom for
horses and cattle and at times sheep. A farm
sr who builds such barn with its advantages
and has progressed also with the addition OF the
silo to his stock-feeding facilities. may be set
down as well up in his business, and then it fol-
lows, as matter Of course, that ehas his corn
crushing mill and every other necessary con-
venience and comforts of outfit. The fields, ex-
cept where there are few lodges Of stone are of
even surface, clean fence-rows, and cultivated |
square up to the line The mansion is at the foot
of long south eastern faced hill. The view from
it across the valley catches q full rich land
scape terminating as 1t pierces through de-
pressions of the Intervening hills, on the
"Humpback" and Turks Peak" in the Blue
Ridge mountains Around and in rear park |
OF thinned forest growth affords shade and |
handy pasturage for petted stock. A short |
distance in rear Is the spring which is piped to |
the dairy only few feet from the residence |
and thence by gravity pipes convey the water |
across the road to the barn lot. Mr.. Gilkeson's |
stock is all full blooded or high-grade. The |
Shropshire is his'favorite of sheep and of cattle,
he has other kinds as well as the Jersey pride. |
The speciality in horses at "Hillside'' is for |
the saddle. The young black stallion "Den- |
mark" and the iron grey mare "Nelly Bly," |
are much admired by.competent Judges and |
will make their mark with the tests of excel |
lence. He is premium-tak er at the Baldwin |
District and State Fairs on hogs. sheep, cattle,
a nd horses, as Mrs. Gllkeion is with her butter
hams, wine. &C.
In addition to the pleasures of the day spent
at hillside" in looking over Mr.. Gilkeson's
farm and hearing his methods discussed by the
gentlemen present, as well as the interest i'm
parted by Capt. Eskridges progress in CELERY
culture and expert gardening, there were
other features of social enjoyment that will not
soon fade from memory. Tho company was
made up of the host and hostess, Mr.. and Mrs.
Gilkeson, Capt. G. Julian and Mrs. Pratt. Mr..
Il. A. s. Hamilton, Mr.. .Jno. W. Todd, Capt
Thos. Eskridge, and the writer. The dinner
was of the real old Virginia style, mostly OF
Hillside" production and of the premium
taking order' especially in the old ham, the
mutton, and the five year old domestic wine.
System, order and promptness pervades the
several departments Of the establishment all of
which center either at the mansion or the
barn. Pursuing his occupation as Mr.. Gilke-
son does, illustrates the value of effort and ap-
plication made under the advantages which
are to be obtained through the teachings of
fairs and exhibitions. Mr.. Gllkeson Is a mem
Der of the board of directors of the district fair
In that service and in the community, no
young farmer is rated higher for effort and at
tainments. and which have their proof at
Hillside" and in the articles he enters at ex-
hibitions. Like him there are many more
equally worthy of recognition and in the full
roll which can be made up of such the Baldwin
District Fair can realize the browning excel
lence of its work in the past, with the bright
assurance of progressive future which will
continue to add to its achievements.
Destructive Fire Near waynesboro.
On the eastern side of South river, half a
mile below Waynesboro, is the excellent farm
of Mr.. Jacob Coiner. On 1t is o superb brick
mansion, and a few days ago there was a com
plete outfit of buildings, including a large
double barn. stabling, corn crib, ETC., over 700
bushels of threshed wheat q fine straw-rick.
twenty tons of hay housed, and full set of
agricultural implements, most OF which were
swept away by fire in the space Of a few min
utes. The baling machine, worked by steam
power, of Messrs. Ellison & Austin was sta.
toned short distance from the barn baling