Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1904-09-16
A Primitive Homestead.

hQtt0f OF H6 Se11ta1let IL naQ the pleasure
some ten days since of dining at the hos
pitable and beautiful home of Mr.. N. D.
Knight, about Q miles distant from Rockvil
and situated Immediately along the road
leading TO the Great Falls. This homestead
was years ago owned and farmed by the
late Samuel Wilson, ST., and after his death
by his widow, the late Margaret Wilson
after her death 1t was divided between her
two sons, Samuel and John E. Wilson,
who continued to cultivate and improve il
under the most improved methods. Under
their supervision, 1t was, If not the first, Ger.
tainly among the first where the applica-
ton OF lime was made in this section.
In the almost primitive days OF agricul-
ture in the county lime kiln was built on
the Anderson property near the Great Falls,
and 80 charming was the effect produced
that old Mr.. Gattin erected one on the prop.
erty now owned by the heirs of the late
Samuel Jones. Mr.. Samuel Wilson, the
older of the two boys, years after these
pioneers of agriculture had passed away,
stimulated by observing the then living
traces OF the application of this fertilizer,
concluded upon lining his land. At that
| early period, for II was about l849, perhaps
a little earlier, burnt lime was not so easily
obtained moreover, the mode Of transpor-
tation was exceedingly heavy, Mr.. W.
commenced hauling oyster shells from the
District of Columbia and burned them on the
fields where he intended to spread the lime.
So pleased was he with the happy result
that he continued the same process of fer.
timing, changing 10 the application Of gas
lime and heavier applications Of ground
raw bone, and subsequently burnt lime
until his whole farm was heavily set In grass,
when he commenced to Craze. At this point,
he used to say, "came the hrst and large
profits Of this system of agriculture.
Some years subsequent to the death OF
Mr. Wilson, the late George Earl, OF George
town, ID. c., purchased this property Of Mr.
Charles G. Wilson, who fell heir to 1t at
his fathers death, and who among bis many
improvements had added large and first.
class dairy, feature now 30 prominent and
productive throughout the county. Three
years ago Mr. knight purchased this prop
erty of the widow OF Mr.. Earl and con-
tinues to farm il upon the most improved
and approved methods Of tilllng the soil,
besides beautllyIug and rendering II more
attractive In appearance.
II had been many years since had visit
ed this familiar old home, around which
cluster 50 many and touching "reminiscences
Of my boyhOod days When | drove up
In front OF the venerable and yet com.
mandng residence which still graces and
TO hold the charming outlines Of its
primitive style of architecture-it was not
the House of the Seven Gables" 90 beau.
iifully and eloquently drawn by Hawthorne,
nevertheless its attractive and weatherbeaten
frame work monogrammed with many cher
ished incidents of other days "that have
gone glimmering through the dream OF
things that were" provoked that respect and
generation which age ever commands, and
revived the sweetest memories OF my youth,
which nestle in the soltest corner of my
breast Whilst there was nothing around
the immediate homestead to tell OF change,
save "the music Of tiny feet upon the turfed
door" the Joyous and lrolicsome laughter
OF happy and innocent childhood chaper-
oned with matronly refinement, yet there
was great and marked improvement, lar
and wide, in full keeping and harmony with
that spirit of progress that so characterized
Its earlier owners, and in close touch with
that phenomenal energy and mesmeric meth
DDS OF identifying and enriching the soil
that has placed Montgomery In the front
ranks OF the agricultural counties Of the
State. Indeed, resting for moment at the
front gate, my eyes fell upon one OF the
most poetic, inviting, stimulating and re-
freshing landscapes To be found anywhere
upon the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES and i'm
proved homesteads 10 every direction.
In walking over parts of the farm In com.
pany with Mr.. knight, was struck with
one feature that he had introduced, which
think was novel on this farm, and one which
has added TO his profits and which he in
tends TO enlarge, that is the raising of sheep.
had referred TO this industry in former
letter to the Sentinel, hence 1t became a mat.
ter Of interest TO me at once. Two years
ago Mr.. knight purchased 20 head Of sheep
for which he paid 500. The first year he
realized from the wool and lambs 4136.
The second year he lost one Of his flock
still he realized $138. And In nclusion,
must add to this that at his dinner table,
as beautiful and refreshing to the eye as II
was stimulating to the appetite, we had a
quarter Of lamb, nicely and iastidiously
baked, which had been taken from the sod
the evening before. II il the first time |
had enjoyed such q repast since the death
OF my lather, and that was nearly forty years
ago.
| cannot omit stating the other half of the
Wilson farm is still owned and cultivated
by Mr.. John 4. Wilson, who Is regarded
as among the best and most advanced farm.
ers in the county, II not In the State.
RAMBLER.