Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-07-04

n THE UXsTO09 STATE.
An Interesting Latter from Ian.
caster County, Penn.
Special to the Reflector.
MARIETTA, Pa, June 24.--After
spending a few months in Donegal
township, Lancaster county, the
former home Of many residents Of
Dickinson county, l shall give short
description Of present conditions,
hoping it may be Of interest to at
least some Of your readers.
Spring came late and has been
very cold, except a few days Of
extremely warm weather with
mercury up to So degrees in the
shade. With plenty Of rain and an
occasional day Of sunshine, vegeta-
ton Is fairly advanced. The damage
by frost was slight in this vicinity.
Apple and pears look promising, but
cherries will be scarce. The peach
crop will be short. Watermelons are
being largely grown. Bugs are a
terror here, and it is strange TO see
how the young plants are protected
from the pests. A thin muslin is
used, made expressly for the purpose
and with wires is arranged in the
shape Of cones over the hills; this is
removed as soon as the plants are
past injury. Wheat, oats and corn
are looking well. On account Of the
low price Of tobacco, that weed (P) Is
not SO extensively grown as hereto
fore, as consequence more attention
is given to potatoes etc.
With the mountainous scenery and
vegetation in general dressed In
natures richest garb, the country
looks beautiful beyond descrip ton.
Very prominent among the attrac-
tions are the beautiful country homes,
which, 1t must be conceded, can
perhaps not be excelled anywhere. The
rich resources combined with the
picturesqueness Of nature and the
tastes Of cultured people can produce
most charming effects. The large
substantial buildings and well kept
premises certainly are an indication
Of thrift and good management. At
this time Of year the large amout
Of withdrawing done is more con-
spicuous than at any other time.
Men, women and children may be
seen with brush and pail, the chill
dren usually getting about as much
lime on themselves and the ground as
on the fence. While SO much white
washing must needs be very laborious,
1t adds greatly to the appearance OF
the homes and also protects the
fences and buildings.
Farmers throughout seem content
ed and we'll they may, especially
those who are living in retirement
with enough laid by for a rainy day.
OF late years various Improvements
have been made in the village Of
Maytown. 1t now boasts OF several
modern houses and general i'm
provement In homes. With q street
passing through as good as any in
country, it is an attractive and quiet
little place.
Marietta has also improved in the
last years. Notably among the at
tractive homes are those OF Messrs.
Spangler and Rich. To the dismay
Of merchants and joy Of shoppers, an
electric street car line from Lam
caster terminates here, taking away
considerable trade, The question Of
electric lights in Marietta is being
strongly agitated. The gravity
system is "a great advantage at this
place, supplying the town as well as
the principal places outside. Two
hollow ware factories give employ
ment to q large number oflaborers.
Probably one Of the most interest
establishments in this country is the
vaccine farm OF DR.. H. N. Alexander
near Marietta. The buildings are
immense and for neatness and cleanli-
ness are q wonder to see. The choic-
est Of cattle are procured, and under
DR.. Alexander's skillful management
the vaccine is prepared in a
thoroughly scientific manner.
Here as elsewhere there has been
great depression in business but
indications are that times are
improving. There however are more
poor people than one would naturally
expect to see in country like this,
hat MADAM ,,rasaot social conditions