The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-07-01

One of the most famous farms in
the United States is being conducted
by Uncle Sam, genuine horny-hand
ed farmer, on portion Of the historic
estate formerly the home of Gen.
Robert Z. Lee. Two hundred acres
are set apart for farming operations,
the remainder Of the estate being the
Nations! Military Cemetery, where are
buried 10000 Union soldiers, who
lost their lives during the war be-
tween the States. a few Of the Custls
and Lee ancestors are also buried in
an obscure portion of Arlington.
Uncle Sam is not engaged in farming
for his OWE profit, but for the benefit
of the farmers of the entire country,
who will be given the results Of the
most expert agriculturists in the
country, who are in the employ Of
the Government and who manage the
farm.
For more than year laborers have
been engaged in clearing the land and
preparing it for crops. Modern build
ings are in course Of construction and
within short time the farm will be
in full operation. All branches of
this important industry will be con-
Quoted at the Arlington farm. The fin
est cattle will be bred and model dairy
will be in operatio'. Butter Of tho
best quality will be manufactured and
If it is possible to do 30 better grades
than are cow on the market will be
made. Breeding of superior wheat,
corn and oats will also be attempted.
Diseases OF cattle will be studied.
/; New fruits will be introduced and
those already grown in this country
will be grown to perfection. Diseases
Of pears, peaches, plums and Other
fruit will be studied with a view to
stamping out the troublesome all
ments Of fruits and making fruit
>gtowing more profitable. Experiments
For The purpose Of determining the best
forage crops to grow and the most
economical plans for feeding cattle
will be some Of the features of this
interesting place. Great results are
expected and Secretary Wilson is tax
ing great pride in directing this work.
That portion Of the Lee estate which
has been set apart for farming pur-
pSaes is about the poorest piece of
land in this section Of the country,
having been worn out. It was entirely
unfit for agricultural purposes and it
was necessary to fertilize and improve
it. The experts Of the agricultural
department expect to demonstrate
that the poorest land in the country
can be proftably utilized for success
ful farming operations. Gen. Lees
former home is one OF the most beau.
tieul spots in the vicinity OF the Ma
tional Capital The mansion stands
On the brow Of i hill, which slopes
away half q mile to the Potomac, 200
feet below. The view from the porti-
co Of the old mansion has been famed
for century. When Gen. Lafayette
was p guest at Arlington he pronoun-
csd the prospect from the porch ono
OF the most beautiful he had ever
looked upon. Since Gen. Lafayette's
visit the view has been cha ged, new
beauties being added, while some Of
the old ones were destroyed by the
ravages of-war. The completed Cap
itol, with it's imposing dome, the sym
metrioal Washington monument, the
beautiful Congressional Library and
other architectural features have taken
their places in the picture, while a
grove Of majestic trees which graced
the slope below the house were utter
~ destroyed during the greatest civil
conflict ever waged. Arlington House
was built in 1902 by George Wash
ington Custis, the son of John Park
Gusts, whose widowed mother became
Mrs. Martha Washington. When
Col. John Parke Custis died, at the
siege Of Yorktown, Gen. George
Washington adopted as his own the
two children. George Washington,
Parke Custis and Eleanor Parke Gus
tbs, who lived to be considered one of
the most beautiful women OF her day.
Thenceforward Custis was member
Of the Mount.Vernon household until
after the death of Mrs. Washington
in 1902, wheE he removed to his Ar
lington estate. The portico Of the
mansion, with its great Doric columns.
was modelled after that of the Temple
Of Theseus at Athens. AT the rear