Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-24
THE TUCKAHOES.
MONTHLY MEETING or THIS WILL
KHows FARMERY CLUB.
The Best Method ofGnltivstipg and Curing
Luesrne and Alfalfa Discussed
other Matters.

ZION OF Jdpla'n TIfUh Vvff "y5 W. ."
Twelfth street. was one OF interest and p'ea-
sure TO those who attend their monthly
gatherings
Professor p. Purysar presided over the
Deliberations Of the club.
Mr.. james y. Winston read the following
interesting report on "Lahurnum," the farm
OF Captain Joseph Bryan:
LABUasUM
Laburnum, the beautiful home oi Mr. d.
seph Bryan. At which the meeting OF the
club was held IN December last Is siiua'ed
two miles from the city IN Henrico county
be- weeu The Brook turnpike and the Herm'-
taee road. fronting on the former and run
ming back TO the latter, and contains 100
acres.
The land IL nearly level and specially suit
ed 10 the growth Of grass crops, 20 which the
larger part f. devoted. A large hay. bou'e
flied with nice,y-cured orchard grass gave
evidence of the productive quality OF tue
soil. aud Of skin and care 10 harvesting.
Corn and oats are also raised, and prodnc
tive garden not only supplies the family WIN
al the vegetables and small fruits needed
but yields surplus Of celery, turnlps, to-
maioes. &c. for market.
A young orchard OF fruit treel, embracing
nearly every known variety ad pied 10 tbis
tltID ave. is u UDLifNtlt lfllhlc " wv itANN
snd gives promise Of an early and abundant
yield.
The animals consist Of eleven work.mules
aud one work-horse. five brood mares two
thoroughbred, one standard trotter and two
well bred, several OF which are IN foal Oy
Mr. II. &. Chtmblln's fine stanOsrd trOtting
stallion Norfolk. In addition 10 five horses
for family Use there are SIX colts three SIAN
dsrdbred and three tbofOughbred) OF thrifty
ana promising appearance. The cows ana
calves. some twelve OF fifteen IN number,
are mostly thorougbbred Jerseys.
The stsbing for both horses and cows IS
ample and arranged with a view 10 both The
comfort and nealh OF the animals, ana
economy and convenience in feeding and
cleaning.
Tue barn and bedrooms adioin the Sta
bles, and beneath the latter IS a pit, accessl-
Die by convenient aiiey-WaYs Tor The recep-
ton OF manure, where It is kept under
shelter Until used. Under the barn il a
horse power for cruising aDd cutting feed,
where. protected from The weather. adyan-
iage can be taken OF rainy DAYS for doing
such work. The dairy, servants quarters.
&C., are in keeping with the other appoint
ments Of the pace. The mansion, which
is one OF the largest and most costly
country residences in the State, is on
slight elevation and surrounded by
fue grove. It's architectural effects are
imposing and harmonious, and the interior
arrangements embrace almost every con-
ceiyable comfort aud convenience, including
gas and water. and telephone connections
with Richmond and Brook Hill; while the
furniture and decorations meet all The re-
quireinenls Of cultivated taste aud refined
elegance.
From the front stretches wel-kept lawn
10 the turnpike, which ls reached by two
semi-circular avenues, fisnkcd on either side
Ly tall and shIpeiv naples, which in sum
mer form sylvan arcades Oh great beauty and
refreshing GOODNESS.
The club were entertained by their large
hearted host with a genial aud generous
hospitality, and did ample justice 10 the
sumptuous dinner spread Tor their refresh
ment.
| cannot close this report without abiding
somewhat I'm detail to the most interesting
feature. viewed from the standpoint OF scien-
thc agriculture, In connection with ths
place, AS II rs hoped that Mr.. Bryan'1 exam
pie Will prove but the initial step OF new
departure in that direction In this section OF
the State.
To MIR. Bryan belongs the honor OF having
tested, TO a larger extent upon the same area,
the value OF thorough tile drainage as
means Of improving thequ.lity aud produce
tive vage Of land than any one IN this ylcini'
tv. When he acquired possession OF this
place Ouly few years ago there was scarcely
an acre in tiilable condition or that would
have paid the cost OF the rHdest sort OF cult
walton IN consequence OF longconttnueI
watcr-sObbing, q condition which ail pre-
yious owners had yanly attempted to
remedy on account OF the flat character Of
- 4 ma afnrHr
try. winch rendered thorough drainace
impossible, except at large cost and al
most infinite trouble and difficulty. Here,
then, was the opportunity Tor the display
OF practical WisdOm aud scientific method,
and, above all, OF unisltering faitn and per-
sistence under extraordinary discourage
ments and difficulties which ONLY genuine
devotion 10 intensive agriculture can inspire.
That The man and tue occasion met we had
ample demonstration IN what bad already
been accomplished and was In process OF
completion towards the resuscltatlon OF this
recently almos, sterile farm.
some idea OF the difficulties to be overcome
NAV be formed from the methods employed
aud the amount and character OF the work
done and projected.
Approaching the importance and difficulty
OF the undertaking the aid OF an accomplish
careful survey OF the ground plan Of one
rations was adopted and mapped oul which
Is being prosecuted With most gratifying re-
suits snd with every prospect OF complete
success.
In order 10 secure sufficient FAN It was
necessary 10 cut ditches for long distances
through adjoining properties. which At
farded grades for the main drains OF only
three f0urths OF 40 inch TO one and hall
luches to The 100 feet, requiring the utmost
precision and care in laying the pipes IN or
der 10 secure satisfactory results. These
main drains are Of terra.cOtIa pipe, and vary
ffou six to twelve inches Ia diameter. ac-
cording 10 location, Of which about 10000
feet have been land. luterSecting Tie main
pipes are lateral drains Of ordinary tile from
thirty 10 sixty feet apart and from two To
i've inches in diameter. at an average depth
OF about three aud half 10 four feet. or these
latter several miles have been laid, and
large accumulation OF tiles is on hand with
which 10 continue the work when the YEA.
ther will permit.
At convenient distances along the main
mines silt or sand aud dirt basins are built OF
brick three and half feet square. extend
Ing foot or two above the surface OF the
ground, for the reception and removal OF the
uudtered DIRT which would otherwise clog
the pipes. The tiles used are FROM the klns
% the Chester Clay-Working Company, IN
Chesterfield county, aud have given Mr.
Bryan great satisfaction, besides being
cheaper than more inferior ones OF other
makes.
This work has been effected at the heavy
cost Of some SIS Ter acrc-sn outlay which
few would deem justified by The character OF
the lsnd or the hope OF pecuuiary reward,
and yet Mr.. BlysD's practical sag city hiss
been sigaally yiudicated since the last meet
ing Of the club 90 the leasing for term OF
wears OF twenty acres Of this reclaimed land
at a rental equal TO 1863 per cent Der ennum
on the cost Of land and improvements.
Your committee viewed the operation OF
this admirahle syuem OF drainage through
the apertures OF the al. basins, aud were
astoaished TO SEE the large amount OF water
passing through the mains with easy aud
constant flow, and many were the c0mpli-
mepts bestowed on MIR. Bryan Tor tue
marked success achieved by all present, who
felicltated themselves upon the opportunity
enioyed OF witnessing so Interesting sad
instructive an object lesson IN this most i'm
Il ,rnpraz-ayo syrrauifnra