Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-07-18
Uncle Sans Model Farm.

Prof. L. G. Corbett, for several years
connected with the West Virginia Ag-
ricultural Station, has been called to
undertake a very important work at
Washington.
Within very few years one Of the
great sights of the National Capital
will be perfectly appointed farm OF
400 acres, with buildings, orchards
truck gardens, and grain fields of ev-
cry kind. All the fruits and vegeta-
bles of the United States or other
countries which experiment shall prove
to be capable Of cultivation in this eli
mate will be seen there. Systems ol
drainage and, if necessary, irrigation,
model fencing, the most perfect meth
DDS of gathering and storing grain,
fruits and vegetables will be exhibited.
In addition there will be home place
of six acres, where beautiful lawns,
pretty shrubbery in artistic designs
and suitable shade trees will give a
lesson to the suburban resident, as
well as to the owner of plantation,
in the beautifying of dwellings and
their surroundings in the country. To
the scientific agriculturists and horti-
culturists this model farm, which will
be made and maintained by the De-
partment Of Agriculture, will offer an
opportunity for study in every branch
of their science. Methods Of cultiva-
ton of fruit trees, vegetables, cereals,
the growing of grapes, the values of
different kinds of fertilizers, will all
be exhibited directly in the farm or
in the records of its existence, which
will be kept for reference.
The site selected for bringing this
project to reality is that portion of
the Arlington estate which lies along
the bank of the Potomac to the east of
the main estate, now used as ceme-
try. The Mcclellan gate to Airing
ton 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.
Prof. L. G. Corbett, of the Depart
ment of Agriculture, is in charge of
the work, and was brought to Wash
ington from the experiment station in
West Virginia especially for this pur-
pose. He was born and brought in
the great fruit growing and agricul-
tural region eff Central New York, his
home being at Watkins. Prof. Cor
bett took the scientific courses at Cor.
nell College for four years and after
his graduation remained as an instruct
or in horticulture for two years. For
six years he was at the West Virginia
experiment station, one Of the most
important in the country.
In talking over the plans for the
great model farm the Capital is to
have in the near future, Prof. Corbett
was enthusiastic over the plan. He
has gone over the ground and is very
well satisfied with the outlook. The
soil is sandy loan and quite rich.
The site was cultivated for a number
of years by squatters, who raised gar
den truck and fertilized the land quite
heavily. There are very few trees on
the place. For some time past it has
been the pasture ground for the mules
belonging in 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 sown, which will
also be plOwed under when green next
spring. This will provide uniform
fertilizer for the whole place, and
give a foundation for future work.
Next fall the fruit and shade trees
will be set out and everything will be
done as soon as possible that the farm