Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-10-20
Correspondence of the Sentinel.
LAKE BROWN,
Garrett County. Oct. 10. 1909

the nome oil health, the retreat for the aged
who would live forever, and for the sports
men, the lover of nature, and the invalids
who dread to die.
We have just returned from long ram.
BILE OF some two or three miles down "Deep
Greek, in the direction of meadow Noun
tain," still the famous hunting grounds of
Western Maryland, and now that we have
enjoyed good rest concluded that com.
munlcation from this section of country,
touching slightly of the natural beauties OF
forest and stream, mountain and valley, the
industries, attractions for sportsmen who
with gun, dog and rod can find inexhausti
bic sport for months, magnificent farms,
beautiful homesteads, the natural growth
and productions, would not be uninteresting
to many of our readers.
Before doing so, however, you will allow
US to preface our letter in remarking that
upon our arrival at Oakland about ten days
since we were assigned TO most delightful
quarters in the "Glades Hotel" whose repu.
tation for comfort, ease and everything else
that the most fastidious desire extends far
and wide. Here, indeed throughout the
county, the climate is without fault, and
the clear braclng air from the timbered
mountains so delightful, the water of the
Goughiogheny so pleasing and delightful,
running through the yard attached to the
"Gades" and onward in one direction to
the Potomac, the other to the Ohio river, so
refreshing that we spent almost the entire
daytime ont doors Our walks varied every
day-now in the direction of Mountain Lake
Park, the York river, about the width of
our canal, but as romantic and picturesque
as it could possibly be, the maple sugar
orchards, one of the most profitable indus
tries in the county, or along the base of the
mountains, and in case we struck a plain
county road then to their very summit
Every day seemed to give additional charms
to the poetic beauty and scenery around U.s.
Indeed, the intolerable splendor which en-
veloped the entire landscape was sufficient
to drive one mad. Everywhere the Autumn
fires are kindled-soon will come the great
carnival of color-then will follow the
ripened glory of the Indian Summer.
Whilst at Oakland we accepted kind in
vtation to spend a few days at Mr.. b. Rey
nolds', prosperous and energetic farmer
living three miles beyond Oakland. Mr.
Reynolds is not the largest farmer in this
section, but is a decidedly model one. His
home is picturesque in the extreme-beau
tiu glade meadows rest Immediately in
front Of his residence. These are fringed
with alder bushes running back to the base
of long ranges OF mountains. These meadows
are never pIowed, yet from these meadows
and two small fields he cuts from so 10 rs
tons of hay. A large portion of his farm is
covered with white oak, which he is reserv-
ing for foreign demand. His crops, which
are about the same throughout the county,
consist of hay, oats, buckwheat and pota
toes, a sample Of the latter we sent you, and
they were not selected. He also pays much
attention to raising horses and sheep, which
he finds profitable His barn is one of the
largest and best arranged we ever saw. His
crop of potatoes from a little over three
acres will reach between six and seven hun
dred bushels Some three hundred yards
from the residence is a stream which Is filled
with trout. We do not know that we ever
spent two days more pleasantly than at this
hospitable home and in the bosom of such
a happy and contented household. 1t was
indeed most charming visit and our only
regret was that existing engagements com
PEELED US 10 leave-we did 80 however with
an earnest invitation to come again before
leaving the county.
Walking around Oakland, we observed
many maple sugar trees, and upon inquir
ing, learned as we have already mentioned,
that this is one of the leading industries OF
the county. There are hundreds of these
sugar orchards in the county, the largest
numbering four thousand and five hundred
trees, the average crop from this orchard is
from eight to ten thousand pounds, which
commands from 8 to 10 cents per pound.
The trees are tapped about the middle of
February and run until the middle Of April
night and day, the kettles for boiling going
all the time.
rha In ~, barinu antarnrica ia narhanc tho
largest and earliest in this region OF country.
But this is by no means as large as in former
years 1t opened up as early as 1858, Mr..
Benjamin Tasker, OF Swanton, having erect
ed the first saw mill Then followed Gov
Frank Thomas, Hon. H. G.. Davis, and hun.
dreds of others. The white pine so vau.
able has all been cut and sawed There are
still millions of acres OF heavy timber-the
Hemlock in great abundance, white oak,
red oak, which is used for machinery and
car materials, and Spruce pine, which is con
verted into pulp Tor paper Much OF the
heavy white oak timber is shipped 10 Europe
where there is great demand. Tram roa is,
and narrow guage roads make in every d.
rection into the very heart Of the mountains
OF the other Industries and many other at
fractions we must reserve Tor future com
municatiOns, To be written here as We may
find time or when We shall have reached the
quiet OF my home with full and ample notes.
Right here you will let US remark that
this IS a great country for rifle shooting
every one has Winchester or some other
improved gun. Rife matches are frequent
often at 800 yards, twenty four is made out
OF possible twenty Whilst at Oak
land | went out with Senator Browning
and one Of his friends 10 try a new rifle or
gun which the latter had just purchased.
Senator Browning put five shots, the mum
Der designated, in the white paper, and
within radius OF half dollar-his friend
did the same, only one OF the balls being
very near the centre OF the mark.
As it is with rifle shooting, 30 1t is with
music. Every homestead has its living
orchestra. The organ or piano, violin and
accordion, and strange TO say, that the ladies
can play upon either instrument, and in the
course Of the evening, alter the cares Of the
day are over and the hearthstOne is bright
and warm, the music begins, the ladies TAX
ing first one instrument and then another
until the change has been made 10 the mum
Der engaged.
We would like right here TO give you a
description of some Of the diaries where tn c
milk is kept and the world renowned Gades
butter is made, but we have not the time
and know that you have not the space, 80
must deter until our next IL is an interest
ing subject aud one in which our county Is
largely interested, AMI it is our desire "
write II up at length.
We must not forget to say now and 1T
this point in our communication that the
ladies IN this county are all healthy, pretty
and full Of animation 70 see and know
them one would suppose their acquaintance
did not extend beyond the accomplishments
Of the drawing room or parlor, but IL Is sci.
dom that you see young lady who has mo-
a perfect and practical knowledge Of the
dairy, garden aud general domestic work
of the mouse. Their hands, though some
| times a little sunburned, are as delicate a,
those Of some royal queen Of beauty in he
| crowded aud bizarre bOudoIr, where finery
stands for cultivation, aud overlooking passe,
| for luxury and refinement.
| Lake Brown is situated Immediately up
on Deep Creek in the midst of wilderness
of mountains, streams, forests and glade
| meadows. 1t is distant nine miles from Oak
land and six from Deer Park and is reached
over delightful and romantic mountain
road We came out late Monday afternoon
] II. ~