Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-07-03
EXPERIMENTAL FARM.

Within very few years one of the
great sights of the National Capital will
be a perfectly appointed farm of 400
acres, with buildings, orchards. truck
gardens, and grain fslds OF every kind.
All the fruits and vegetables Of the
Uoitcd States or other countries which
experiment shall prove to be capable OF
cultivation in this climate will be seen
there. Systems Of drainage and, II
necessary, irrigation, model fencing,
the most perfect methods OF gathering
end storing grain, fruits and vegetables
will be exhibited. In addition there
will be home place OF elk acres, where
beautiful lawDs, pretty shrubbery in
q tis.ic designs, aud suitable shade trees
sill give Lesson to the suburban resi-
dent, as well as to the owner Of the
plantation in the Identifying OF DWELL
ings and their surroundings In the
Country.
To the scientific sgriculturists and
horticulturists this model farm, which
will be made and maintained by the
Department OF Agriculture, will offer
an opportunity for study 10 every
branch of their science. Methods OF
cultivation Of fruit trees, cereals, the
growing of grapes, the values of differ
ent kinds OF fertilizers will sll be ex
hibitf directly 10 the farm or in the
records of its existence, which will be
kept for reference.
To the general public the farm will
offer beautiful sight. Along its broad
shaded avenues the casual sightseer
may drive or walk through peach and
apple orchards, through vineyards and
through fields of waving grain, and
may seek shade and pleasant rest on
he grassy lawns about the farm house
and it's outbuildings.
The cite selected for bringing this
pre- ject to a reality Is that portion OF
the Arlington estate which lies along
the bank OF the Potomac to the east OF
the main estate, DOW used as q ceme-
terry. The Mcclellan gate to Arlington
will be opposite the main gate to the
farm, and the latter will occupy all OF
that rolling land between the river
road to the east OF Arlington and the
river bank. 1t is already partially laid
of, and this work will be continued.
About the center of the big farm plot
OF ak acres will be reserved for the
dwelling, barns, &C., and this portion
will be treated from an artistic as well
as utilitariaD standpoint.
Prof. L. @. Corbett, OF the Depart
ment OF Agriculture, is 10 charge OF the
work. The soil ia sandy losm and
quite rich. The cite was cultivated for
a number of years by fquatters, who
raised garden truck aud fertilizsd the
land quite heavily. There are very
few trees oD the place. For some time
past it has been the pasture ground for
the mules belonging to the army post
at Fort Myer.
Men are now at work plowing up the
whole place and planting COW peas.
These will grow heavily by fall, when
they will be plowed under, and rye
will then be sowD, which will also be
plowed under when green next spring.
This will provide uniform fertilizer
for the whole place, and give q founda-
ton for future work. Next fall the
fruit and shade trees will be set out and
everything will be done as soon as pos
sible, that the farm may take form In
the least possible time.
The six-aore lot Ia the center Prof.
Corbett intends to make thing OF
beauty. 1t will be park about the
main buildings, and all around will be
planted typical ornamental trees and
shrubbery. 1t will be an object lesson
10 landscape gardening.
A principal feature will be expert.
ments in the cultivation of every fruit
or vegetable now imported from other
countries with view to determining
what can be raised here and the best
method of cultivation. This branch
will include vegetables OF all kinds,
ifuils, hops, muskmelons, watermelons,
squsshes, grasses, forage crops, and i'm
ported cereals such as wheat and
oats, &c.
The cultivation OF fruit and expert
ments to discover what are the needs
of each variety will be studied. The
value of fertilizers and cross-ferlilizs.
ton will also be studied. Culture tests
will be made of such crops as are
planted to cover the ground after
cereals have been reaped, such as
vetches, clovers, and new leguminous
plants.
Horticulturists will be able to study
here foreign plants and other prob
lens which they cannot find the sub
jecis to observe in their own States.
some OF the important experiments
will be with berries. There will q
model cranberry bog, and experiments
will be conducted In the cultivation oi
buckleberri, s, which have never been
cultivated, though they are extensive.
ly canned every year in Msine. The
farm will be devoted exclusively to
horticultural demonstrations and ex-
periments. The interest for the gen.
eral public will lie 10 the methods oi
cultivation and the large variety OF ag'
ricultural plants and fruit trees which
will be seen on the farm. In seven
years the orchards OF all kinds will be
bearing, including the apple trees,
which come to maturity latest. The
vineyards will be yielding grapes with
10 three years and the pear trees will
bear fruit in five years.
| DIR. Bulls Baby Syrup for teethtng