The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-28

farm where tho last meeting was held, which
| is read at the next meeting The following
was submitted by Mr.. NJ. A. Cogbill, when
| the club met At "Bloomingdale:"
The club held it's September meeting NJ the
| farm of Major Howard Swlneford, situated in
| the county Of Chesterfield. on the Atlantic
Coast Line near Drewrys Bluff about seven
miles south q Richmond Its name, Shady
Springs" was no doubt suggested by the
many springs to be found here and there over
the farm underneath clusters of shady trees.
The dwelling house. located on lovely hill.
can be seen from the railroad, about half OF
q mile distant. II ia a two-story building OF
Swiss architecture and has large, convenient
and comfortable rooms.
The hill upon which the house stands slopes
gradually until it reaches several shady
springs within a stones throw OF the dwell
ing. 80,
The grassy plateau on the top Of the hill,
the large grove ON its sloping sides. the beau
encircling the rolling green, the clear.
cool springs just below the run
ming stream st the foot of the hill,
hurrying by on its way 10 the river, give you
ar imperfect picture Of the landscape that
daily presents itself to the dwelers at Shady
Springs"
Not content however. with these natural
advantages. Major Swineford, by hydraulic
ram in one Of the springs. forces continuous
stream of pure water into all the rooms OF his
dwelling house and kitchen.
THE oUT-HoUsEs.
Turning now 10 the other houses on the
farm we find two smaller dwellings for white
laborers and their families. also good 5houses
for the other farm hands. magnificent oc-
tagonal barn, large hay shed. Il wagon shed.
an Implement and tool shed. a work-house,
and various other houses for stock DC.
These buildings are well painted or lime
washed The barn is three stories high, hav-
ing hip roof covered with slate, and IS adorn-
ed by handsome cupola. which furnishes
light and ventilation for the two upper stores
OF the building.
In the first story, which Is made of brick,
the horses mules. and cows are kept, and the
most improved fixtures and lsbor-saving
machinery are employed in providing them
with food and water and in keeping them
clean and well supplied with pure air. The
second and third stories are used Tor nay
corn. oats and straw.
We saw there 100 tons Of hay, this years
cutting. and also a large crop OF winter oats
Just threshed. The farm contains $50 acres;
about 300 acres are cleared and IN cultivation,
and the residue is IN woods OF OAK, pine,
maple and poplar.
4'he farm is enclosed by good fence Of oak
boards nailed TO large cedar posts. The fences
around the farm, as well as the many cross
fences. ARE all whitewashed.
Nothing adds TO the attractions OF the farm
more than the painted out-houses
and the whitewashed fences. Surely IN
this respect every member of the
Tuckshoe Club can follow Major
Swineford's example and.in 81 doing be can at
q small cost preserve his buildings and fences,
and at the same time give cheerful appear
ance 10 his farm.
THE ORCHARD.
The orchard contains forty-flve acres; one
half of it is set in apple trees and IN the other
half can be found 900 peach trees, 1000 pear
trees. 900 plum trees, and goodly number
of ounce trees. all of the best varieties. The
whole orchard WAS set out by the present
owner within the past five years. Five acres
are in grape vines of the latest and most I'M
proved kinds.
This years crop was abundant and was
readily sold at paying prices in the Richmond
market. There was no other fruit of conse-
quence on account Of the cold spells in Feb
ruary and March, which killed the fuit
throughout the country. One hundred and
twenty-five acres of land in luIuriant orchard
grass and clover show the thrift of the farmer
and the fertility of the soil; one hundred tons
of hay in the barn from the first moving, and
heavy second crop ready to cut IS not bad
exhibit for a Chesterfield farmer. Twenty
five acres in corn twenty-five acres III peas
for fallow, three acres in cucumbers. two
acres III puluphlHs anu ilupOuiN . o9uTti'
several acres in beets. large turnip patch,
and a garden Of vegetables for winter use
represent the other crops on the farm in
spected by the club.
THE STOCK.
The stock was in good condition. and con-
sisted of ten cows, ten or twelve heifers and
yearlings, a fine Jersey bull. thirty hogs,
numerous pigs. fifty sheep, two horses and
six mules These animals were all of improved
breeds, and showed that they were well cared
for.
Nothing can give q better iden of the system
and good management of Major Swineford in
his farming operations than for one TO stand
in his large barn-yard which commands a
full view of the farm. and to look upon the
surrounding fields covered with clover and
grass and enclosed with neat whitewashed
fences, with here and there large
compost of manure for future use.
and then TO turn the eye to the barn, well filled
with grain and hay TO the cattle, all fed. under
cover, with food cut by machinery and con-
veyed TO the stall of each and there deposited.
and there to see the doors opening aud the
thirsty stock coming out to drink from
trough holding 500. gallons tof fresh water,
and ever overflcwing because supplied with
water from the springs several hundred yards
distant by means of iron pipes leading there
from.
No need for artesian wells here No better
management than this Five years ago this
farm was covered with bushes. brIars and
broom straw. having nothing attractive eX-
cept it's beautiful location and it's shady
springs. BY energy and good Judgment
Major Swineford has transformed this worn
out and desolate place and made II one Of the
handsomest and most productive farms III the
whole State