Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-06-15
RlVERDALE SEED FARM.
A Fertile Tract on the River Bank in One of
Natures Beauty Spots.


never treacherous, from its cradle in
the primeval northern forest to its
home in the lap Of the Father of
Waters. Onward it comes over Grand
Rapids. leaping. plashing. tossing the
spray for d full mile along the rough
and rocky bed, 10000 horse power un-
bridled, indulging in some Of the
prettieSt fantasies in which waters
ever engaged Then little rest as it
glides smoothly under the wagon
bridge that connects the twin cities
and settles down for another gambOl
on the playground short distance
below. HOyering among the pretty
islands that stud its bosom here, our
prOI old stream WidenS out into what
we fm the pond, a broad, beautiful,
hill girt sheet Of water, with bending
shores where light and shadow chase
one another upon the opposite banks.
Do you frequently stop to enjoy this
lovely picture that nature has so
richly set at your doors? No! Just
as certainly as the view southwark
from the end of High street brings to
the optic one Of the most enchanted
spots in all the state, SO certain are
the citizens Of the twin cities indiffer
ent to this ideal locality where the
stranger is at once surprised and
charmed. A few stone throws only
from the busy walks of mercantile
life, and yet, with the old pine tree on
the little island as your centerpiece,
find if you can setting for pen or
camera more symmetrical, more Sug-
geStiye of laughing, seQueStered
nature.
But we divert from the intent of
this article. If you have not reVeled
in these beauties at home, of course
you have not visited the Riverdale
Seed Farm nesting along the banks
of the pond for nearly one mile, sit
uate between the east hill and the
stream. Here tract of Ia acres was
purchased six years ago by Mrs. S. e.
Vaughan and b. M. Vaughan as a
choice garden spot, in spite Of advice
from knowing ones that the land was
ought but a Sandbar and swamp.
Three years of clearing and improve
ment have developed fertile section
including variety Of soils from light
sand loan to heavy daylight sand,
sandy loan, clay loan, heavy clay,
muck. Today fine seed are being
grown on contract for other SeedSmen
and the place is veritable agricul-
tural experiment station with j. b.
Bridge, an experienced, obliging and
successful gardener, in charge as
uperintendent.
A bicycle run by the writer Sunday
forenoon to this splendid farm re-
yealed many surprises. We found
there:
An orchard of 400 apple trees, 13O
plum and 50 cherry trees beginning to
bear. Fine varieties of wild plums
purchased in Iowa. New York and
this state. Cherry trees from New
York don't stand well here, the best
are the northern grown plants.
Two and one-half acre block of cur
rants; two acre block Of red and black
raspberrieS: one acre of goOSeberrieS:
two and one-half acres OF Strawberries,
forty varieties of the best tested kinds.
There are being grown for sale next
year 100, 900 LOudOn raspberry plants,
10000 black caps and 5000 Columbia
raspberries.
Three acres are devoted to flowers
and foliage plants besides large hot
house connected with the residence.
100000 glrdolus and 1000 dahlias will
be in bloom within few weeks, while
at present is to be seen one of the
finest lots of mammoth panSieS in the
state, extending a good distance along
side the winding roadway.
The market garden covers six acres.
Radishes, lettuce, parsnips, cucum-
berS, beetS, asparagus, tomatoes,
melons, pumpkins, SQuaSh-eVerythln9
usually grown in a carefully tended
garden is being delivered fresh to Local
consumers in season from the River
dale farm, their wagon making the
rounds of the twin cities each morn.
iS T.
for garden peas.
They are now filling a contract fol
1000 bushels seed beans in all the best
garden varieties for large seed firm
in Illinois. Also 1000 bushels seed
potatoes in five early varieties for d
firm in Ohio. In addition to seeC
potatoes there has been planted {
quantity of the celebrated German
variety "PraSident Won Junker, sale
to contain double the starch content
Of any ordinary potato. Also LOO
varieties of seedlings grown by them
selves, more kinds of potatoes in those
acres than we ever dreamed were
grown. A large acreage is into beans
One thousand young black walnut
trees have been started and have
taken root.
There are natural irrigation facili
ties at very nominal cost. TWO creeks
fed by 53 springs that come out of th'
hillside, means that there is waite
enough to supply Centralia and Crane
Rapids for years to come, if pipe con
nectionS were made. Mr.. Vaughan
could build two dams four feet higl
and get a six acre trout pond. A thre
acre tract is suitably located for con
version into cultivated cranberr
marsh, and the same is under contem
plation.
A spring lagoon in the center of tn
farm, near the houses, is lined wit
forget-me-nots and nearly every bin'
of wild flower that grows hereaboutS
Time and space forbid further POI
trayal, but if your interest has bee
awakened at all in the beauties of on
surrounding scenery, natural and Gu
tivated, then this column is not i
vain.
B. Nj. Vaughan and family are resiC
ing at the Riverdale farm for tn
summer, a cool and resting Summe
place, where we are certain they woul
be pleased to greet you and show 70
about.