Smyrna times., 1897-11-10
WOOdIawn and its MANAGEMENT.

W. OuHmluS, IOE near QalI century,
near the town of Smyrna, with it's large
and imposing mansion house built in
colonial style, with massive huted col
umns front with beautiful grass lawn
ornamented with choice, rare and
beautiful shrubbery, always kept in
neat and cleanly cOnditi by the pres
ent owners and occupants, Misses
Sarah Ann and Louisa Cummins, who
together conduct the management of
the farm and household in business
like manner, so that the writer on a
recent visit remarked that there was no
house in this section of country, if in
any other, presented such interior and
home-like comfort and attractions.
Everything was in order and order of
arrangement was in everything.
The sitting room and dining room,
located on the entrance at right of
spacious hall presented an appearance
of artistic skill and good judgement,
while many beautiful ornaments adorn-
ed the walls, arranged in attrative man
ner-pleasing to the eyes of a critical OBJ
server who might marvel at the beauti-
full scene so unexpectedly presented.
On the side of the hall as you enter the
front door is located what may prop
erly be called a double parlor or a
front and back parlor, from the walls
of which hung old family portraits,
and in various parts of the two parlors
was seen beautiful ornaments, bric-a-
brac, arm chairs, sofas, rockers, easy
chairs and many beautiful things
that must be seen to be fully appre-
ciated. In one corner was observed q
beautiful writing-desk, with pen, ink
and paper and envelopes ready for
use, or as if some one had used and
just left it. Everything in these
rooms, it was observed, was artistically
arranged in harmony and in excellent
good taste The fire smouldering on
the hearth in the fireplace in the din
ing room recalled wildly to the writer
his boyhOod days, when of a winter
night the back log would be put in its
accustomed place, andirons piled with
oak wood and fender placed to prevent
sparks from the wood flying on the
carpet, with the old folks and young
folks sitting around the blazing fire,
cracking walnuts, drinking cider, eat
ing apples or molasses ginger cakes,
made happy family scene never to be
forgotten and always to be remem-
bered.
OF the general management of the
farm and sale of the farm products,
Miss Sarah Ann Cummins gives her
whole time and personal attention and
and the writer remarked that no man
could manage and direct the opera
tiOns of the farm better and but very
few as well, while Miss Louisa Cum.
minis occupies her time in personally
attending to household matters. BY
this division of work may be attributed
the good management of the farm and
successfully growing the diversified
field crops, the raising Of hogs, geese,
ducks and chickens, of which there
was large number, being fed prepar-
atory for marketing. Everything that
is saleable is closely looked after and
disposed of to consumers, either in
Smyrna, Chester or Philadelphia. Not
a thing is permitted to go to waste.
Among the many surprises the writer
observed was in the cellar, where he
was shown the largest quantity OF
canned tomatoes in tin cans, tomatoes
IN glass jars, tomatoes whole, some
with skin off and some with skin OF
put in glass jars for baking or frying
for winter use, peaches in glass Jars,
branded peaches in pint and quart
| jars, pears and strawberries in sucl
large quantities that led to the inquiry
what was going to be done with them
The reply came quickly, "They are all
put up on special orders for familie,
and grocerymen who deal in fine gro
ceries in Philadelphia, who sell then
to their wealthy customers at prices
that make 1t an inducement for thes,
up-to-date women farmers to spend sil
weeks in their preparation. Besides
the income derived therefrom is a mat
ter of Importance, for the prices OBJ
tanned for these canned and Jared
goods are much more remunerativ,
than the ordinary run of canned anC
Jared goods. 1t may be said tha'
such goods are rarely found on sale il
the grocery stores of Philadelphia OF
elsewhere.
No farm anywhere is better cultiva
ted, more productive, and kept in bet
ter condition. The thorn hedges ar,
all nicely trimmed, fences kert il
good order; orchards and fields O
grain and grass look as though they
had the best attention and good man.
agement of two women who have dem
onstrated their ability to manage tn,
farm successfully.
How many men there are engaged il
agricultural pursuits that might take
an object lesson from the successful
and ubiquitous management of thu
present owners and occupants o
Woodlawn. r. H. c..