The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1894-09-28
IN THE MIDDLETOWN VALLEY,


DEAR ENQUIRER:-Since my last letter
| have been in Frederick County, AMI have
had the opportunity of seeing the magniti-
cent farming lands of one of the most fav
ored portions of this rich county This is
the far famed Middlctown Valley. 1t lies
between the South Mountain and the Ca
toctn range, and at its widest place is al
most ten miles, and commences with the
Potomac river and runs to the Pennsyl
vania line Here one can see ideal farm
ing, the fields beautifully laid out in
squares, not exceeding 30 acres, which
present sight that simply delights the
the eve of one who loves the country.
From view that is to be obtained from
Champions Gap on the South Mountain.
the valley appears like Il huge checker
board, with its beautiful residences and
spacious barns, the fields literally loaded
with the shocks of ripened corn. present
ING a sight that is rarely to be met with.
The lands are very productive and are
carefully and skilfully cultivated.
1t appears to one who is accustomed to
see large farms intersectcd here and there
as with US, and almost hidden from
view by large tracts of woodland. strange
in contrast with the farms of this section.
There is scarcely to be seen Il grove, cX-
cept around the dwellings, to break the
pleasing view, the wood having all been
cleared, even up to the base of the noun
tains that flank the beautiful valley. The
barns are simply a marvel of neatness. and
a wonder for the convenience they afford.
They are bailt upon high solid stone foun-
dations which makes the Stableroom for
horses and cattle above, resting on solid
beams is the floor, upon which are driven
wagons loaded with wheat and the sheaves
thrown into large bins on each side, from
which it is threshed. Upon the same floor
the hay has already been stored and ready
for use.
This loading and reloading is done by
large forks attached to pulleys and is rap
idly operated. l inspected a newly built
barn of the above description, its dimcn-
sions being 100x50 #, constructed of the
best North Carolina pine, costing $500.
Upon the floor laid 1 800 bushels of wheat,
the harvest of this year, and about twenty
five tons of hay. The communication Wi.
the stables beneath is by stair-steps, so that
in feeding the stock one is not compelled
to 20 from the cover of the barn. Here
are the hav-cutters corn-shellerS and corn
crushers, all worked by horse power, and
in this way the feed of the stock is pre-
pared.
The farm that reference is had to contains
319 acres and is divided into 10 fields The
owner is one of the most practical and adj
vanced farmers of his section and takes a
just pride i'll speaking of his agricultural
operations.
But the wagons and their teams are Il
surprise to one not accustomed to such
scenes. These are immense in every par
ticular and weigh, without any load 3,G00
pounds. They are drawn by six horses
and never carry less than three tons at Il
load, and can often be seen hauling from
4 to ) tons.
Mention has been made Of the use Of fer
tiliZers If this is so in Washington. ii X,
if anything used to a greater extent in
Frederick. The farmers with whom |
have talked say that wheat cannot bemadc
without it, and even at the low price Of
grain, they feel justified in sowing it. The
fields for wheat sowing are now nearly all
ready for the drill and this week will find
| the seeding well under way. | have seen
| many wheat stubblc fields fallowcd, and
some few turf fields but a. a rule the out
put of the crop will be diminished. The
corn land, of course, Will all be soWcd; up
on this they use either lime or bone dust.
The farmers all seem up and doing, and
| it is literally and truly a farming commit
nifty. There are not many colorcd lahorcrs,
J but more here than in Washington, and
much complaint is made a. To the scar
city Of farm hands
Altogether, the trip through this section
of the State has been a most gratifying
and delightful one. The people are very
| hospitablc and easy to become acquainted
with. They take Il great degree of pride
| in their county and appear to be a thrifty
! and contcntcd community.
All in all, Western Maryland is glorious
Ia-t of our glorious State and contributes
much to the wealth and prosperity of the
old Commonwealth. Frederick is not, by
any means, the least of the tier of noun
tain counties, but can hold her own with
the best. ii.
There is no such thing, say the sclcEti is,
rs the cquinoctial storm. But 1t "rts here
Just the same