The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-07

Rochester. From South Livonia station. on
the Erie Railroad. a country road extends to
the farm over Marrowback hill about four
miles. for the farm is on its opposite or eastern
slope. and reaches down to the lake. with n
frontage OF about 5000 feet on the water.
About twenty years ago. when the Bishop was
on a visit to the parish priest at Hemlock Lake
village-then called Slab City because OF the
sawmill industry centred thereon the On
tario county side OF the lake. he first saw and
admired the wild. wierd hillside of the oppo-
site shore. wooded steep. and rocky. and
without human habitation. and he yearned
for such place for u summer home where he
might rest retired from the life OF the world.
and recuperate his strength, for he was in
failing health. Straightway he purchased
more than hundred acres OF land there. and
DO delighted has he been over since with his
retreat that he has added to its extent. till
now he owns 215 acres. While tho summer
residents have built their cottages by the edge
OF tho lake. and the farmers homes adjoin
the public roads that run along near the top
OF the hill. 700 feet above the lake.
the Bishop has built his residence
and farm buildings away from everybody. on
tho steep slope. and 800 feet above the wator.
The house contains SO ven large rooms and
chapel. also very wido hall. All cooking
is done In another house back OF this one
Between the house and the water except a
small patch OF vineyard In front. all Is wild
woodland. With very little telling OF trees
beautiful vistas could be opened up across the
lake. but the Bishop loves the old trees and
the retirement they insure him. Tho trees
are chestnut, Eastwood. ash. oaks. especially
the chestnut oak. white pine. hcmlock. and tho
like The farm lands and vineyards run to the
right and left OF the buildings and UP the hill
do fN ha Ia Tho HiShpn Ipaa
siderable farming. keeps flock OF sheep. and
several COWS. and cultivatos grain. hay. and
root crops. But the farm Is run primarily for
the benefit OF the vineyards. the main object
being to make manure for the vines. Next
year. however. when the now seminary at
Rochester will be running order. farming as
business Is to be- pushed more encrGeticaly.
for the Bishop hopes to DO able to supply the
seminary with considerable butter. potatoes.
mutton. and other farm produce.
THE FIRST VINES.
After building house on his farm tho Blsh-
op began planting fruit trees. grape vines
and other crops to make homo comfortable
and enjoyable AMI crafty a taste for garden
ing that no has always had. When his grapes
began to bear. in creator quantity than no
could consume on tho farm and at his house In
Rochester as table fruit. he made u little
wine OF the surplus. and ho soon found out
that no could mako good wine. and that. to-
gether with the demand for absolutely pure
wipe and the suitability ofhs farm for grapes.
induced him to go into grape growing and
years ago he began 1t in earnest He studied
the subject from books and by pract ice and
observation. and extended his vineyards. built
wine cellars. and employed an experienced
yineyardist from the Bordeaux district in
France. and an expert wine maker or cellar
man as heis also called. likewise Frenchman.
But now as everything in the matter OF Guilt
walton and wine making on the place is 50
thoroughly timed. perfected. and understood.
only one VI the frenchmen Is retained. but he
has several assistants, and under his active
management the business Is, conducted. At
first the vintage was 1000 gallons. and it has
Increased steadily since then. except in 1870,
when; on account IT short fruit crop. caused
to only 900 gallons. Last year 1t was 5000
gallons AllaPpearances this year indicate a
far greater Increase. and it Is expect
cd that 1900 gallons will be made.
On account Of an increased acreage In yine-
yard. more extensive cellar convenience. and
improved mechanical appliances, 1t is hoped
that the annual output will be as much as 2O.-