Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-17
AN IDEAL SECTION.
The Country Around Major Gint.Fs
Home Being Greatly Beautidtd.
MAKING MANY GOOD ROADS.
This Matter Receiving Attentions
Along with other Improvemeuts--
several Large Enterprises Estab-
iishcd-tar-Liue to Lakeside,

Nisltor-when they have exhausted tho
attractions presented in the yariou,
/ places Of interest within the city limits
! Invariably bend their steps in the drec-
ton of Brook road. or the suburbs on
the north side. where the many natural
beauties have beeh enhanced by ths
onward march OF civilization. and where
tho skill of the husbandman. the art OF
the mechanic and builder have found
ideal expression. Miles OF excellent roads.
amid the most delightful scenery, reach
far out in every direction.
From the time when Major Glnter ac.
quired the property along the Brook road
10 the present time. when he has COM
pleted the magnificent Jefferson. he has
surrounded his estate with A network
or macadanized roads, ana built model
farm, a large laundry ana an electric
railroad his sound judgment and great
business capacities have always been ac-
lively employed in devsing some means
whereby he may put his wealth 20 soma
good purpose In the interest OF his fell
bowman.
MAJOR GINTER'S HOME.
The residence. which has for many
years been the country home OF Major
Gntor, while having no pretensions to
architectural beauty, is not only replets
with every comfort and surrounded by
charming gardens, but testifies at every
step TO the taste and originality which
! distinguished its owner.
The writer had occasion 10 visit the
property surrounding Major Ginter's
estate one day last week. and was struck
first OF all, by the magnificent scenery.
and next by the transformation that has
taken place In the way OF improvements
within the last few years
Leaving Richmond by way Of First
street, YOU speed AZ first among long
rows Of houses. the monotonous suburban
dwellings, with their melancholy little
gardens-all dripping with recent rain
upon the occasion Of the writer's tour-iu
which the sunnowers and chrysanthe-
NUNS hang their dsconsoiate heads. No.
thing here seems joyous, except th, grass.
but this has proiited by the recent rain.
and Is richer and greener than ever.
Presently the gardens and dwellings grow
more opulent. Now begins the gentle
pageant Of Nirginian rural scenery-that
blending Of soft color and quaint. delicate
object. the like Of which H. nowhere found
except In Virginia. Every traveller will
remember. and will rejoice TO ~member.
the elements Of that delicious pictuTe-ths
open, far-reachng stretches Of pasture,
broad, green, and fragrant. the beds ot
many-colored flowers. flashing on eme-
raid lawns; the feecy sheep. the sleek
horses. and the cOmely cattle. grouped
or scattered In the he'ds. some feeding,
some ruminant. some in motion, and
some asleep; the deep bush grass. the
! nurseries Of flowers and frult-trees. tho
lying glimpses OF handsome residences
and OF shining streams. This Is a fertile.
/ rolling country. much diversified with hllI
and valley
OUT TO THE LAKE.
! Following the oar-llue through Barton
Heights TO BrOoklani Park, one comes
/ upon an army Of workmen laying the new
line, which IS 10 run via Chamberlayns
avenue - the Brook road. and meeting
Major Gnters private dummy railroad
at this point one may continue as far
as Lakeside. N0rthward Major Ginter's
broWn-red residence rises stately among
the trees. and soon We SEQ the glisten.ng
water Of the superb artificial lake situated
IN the most opulent meadows or Virginia,
while waterfowl OF every descrlption
skim the surface in happy captivity.
Never could memory lose such "A picture.
the brilliant green of the fields. tho yine-
clad fences. the groves OF elm. oak and
poplar, the autumnal tints OF tn foliage,
Illuminated and glowing as II with inter-
nal light. the constantly changing oui.
lines OF the distant hills: and. over all,
the benediction Of the golden sun. This
part OF Virginia is AZ finely cultivated as
the best part OF America. and similar 10
it-and sometimes, superior 10 it-in ef-
feet OF Opulepce and beauty.
Two hundred men are constantly en-
ployed OH the estate. and this force IN
cludes skilled market-gardcnsrs. me-
chanics. ana stable-men. They are accom-
modated with picturesque bitou cottages,
all htted and arranged according 10 mod
ern ideas. those for the white elp and
those for the colored being located at
dfterent points. There Is wealth or
woods OF remarkable variety, and many
pretty roads wind away and are lost in
them.
BEST ROADS ABOUT HERE.
These roads have been carefully mend
ell, graded. and many OF them. including
six miles Of the Brook road between Yel-
low Tavern and Bacon's quarter branch;
Hermitage road between Pine streec
and Westwood avenue: WestbrOok ave-
nue., Bellevue avenue. Westw0od avenue,
and Sherwood avenue. have been mac
adamiZed.
The houses in this region. for the most
part, are built partly Of brick and partly
OF wood. the architecture is characteristic
ana superior, and, rising amid groves Of
pines and oaks. are blazing with roses
ana with the brilliant yellow and whits
shields OF chrysanthcmums and around
them the crisp air is h0ncyed with tho
balmy fragrance Of the pine. The scenery
blends rugged grandeur with tranquil re-
nnemeut. and surely ~ may Doe said
that few spots IN Virginia are loyelier
than this one. Every element OF great
scenery may BE- seen ln this SPOT ana
from there % yellow Tavern. rhcy have
marked with a momOriai-stOne the place,
upon the battlefield where the gallant
j. l.. II. Stuart fell
SUBURBAN ENTERPRISES.
Returning home by way OF the Brook
turnpike, you will notice more narrowly
the Ginter farm. the new laundry build
ing, and the site 20 the LETT. which 10
70 DO occupied by the Union Theological
Seminary. shortly - be erected. the .aul
Tor which, together with a substantial
cash donation, was given by Major Gin
ter.
The success which has attended the
dairy and the farm Is due 10 the prln-
cples which have been observed In tho
construction and management CT the OUT
builfings-name.y ample light without
heat, ventilation without insects, walls,
floor, and ceiling non-com.ucting anu
impervious % damp.
The Jefferson laundry stands OF % tho
extreme left OF the farm buildings. and
Is painted In an olive green tint. II IL
fitted throughout with tho latest
conyeniences and appliances.
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