Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-06-12
HAYFIELD FARM.
Correspondence Alexandria Gazett,

BUSH HILL, June pa few days
ago had the pleasure of visiting one
of the piettiest places in the county,
known as Hay field Farm, distant some
two miles from Francouia Station, w.
S. R. r.. and the drive over the shady
and we'll laid out road was greatly en-
joyed. I received most cordial greet
ing from Mr.. ]. H, Shertzer, the man
aeer of said farm, together with his ex-
cellent wife and charming daughters,
and of course, during my stay, was
made to feel at home at once. Mr.
Shertzer took special pains to point out
toe improvements that had been made
on the farm since he had assumed con-
trol-more than six years ago-which
is more than manifest to any one who
will go there and make an inspection.
There Is an air of comfort and neatn ess
prevailing and everything is in UaoT
ough and complete order. The large
iarm of $50 acres is in high state Of
cultivation aud has been kept so since
Mr.. Shertzer's inoumbency, as Mr.. W.
E Clark, the late owner gave him full
control. The growing crops of corn,
rye, wheat and oats are the very best
l have ever seen at any point this sea-
son. The first named is over 10 inches
in height. There are now 125 acres in
corn, 107 in grain, to say nothing of the
large crops of grass of 800 acres that
will all be gathered later and
stored in a large aud commodions
barn which l here describe. 1t is bui
like double octagon or sixteen side ,
so feet in diameter, $50 feet in circum-
ference, 50 feet in height, with 200 stel 9
leading to the cupola, or dome, trl N
which @ lovely view of Mount Verucn
and surrounding country is had. This
building will hold 400 tons Of proven
der and wagon and team of six horses
can be driven around on the inside
with apparent ease. The stabling part
will comfortably accommodate 80 head
of horses. Mr. Shertzer tells me there
was now 6S head Of horses on the farm of
course some of them have other quar-
ters. Amongst these there are 25 mead
Of thoroughbred trotting stock, one
beautiful young stallion. the sire cost
ing 81 900. l was also informed that
last season there was cut on the farm
300 tons of hay, 200 of which were sold
and sent by rail. The mansion,
which was portion of the year oc-
oupied by Mr.. Clark and wife whilst
ne lived, is beautifully situated in the
centre of a large lawn and has cosy
hcmelike appearance which it truly Is.
I was told it was first built by General
Washington and by him presented to
his niece who afterwards sold it, thus
having somewhat of q history connect
ed with it, coupled with that of Pohick
Church some miles away. The garden
near Mr.. Shertzer's home is being kept
scrupulously clean and the vegetable
portion is in fine condition while grape
arbor some fifty yards in length is
now filled with promising crop of that
kind of fruit. Mr.. S. has everything so
admirably arranged that his several du-
ties move along with the accuracy OF
clock work aud we feel warranted in
saying that he is the right man in the
right place, being gentleman of ripe
practical experience.
Mrs. w. E. Clark is now at Virginia
Beach, but expects to spend a portion
of the summer at her cosy home here
and with the company Of her relatives
and friends the time with her will pass
most pleasantly.