Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1904-08-12
The Growth and Improvement of Pc
tomac District.

Twenty-Five years ago Potomac district
was one OF the poorest and most uninviting
sections of the county-a wild, broken waste
with sparse population. Since that period,
under improved and educated methods oil
renoVatlng the soil, it has grown to be one
Of the most attractive, populous, product.
i've and highly cultivated portions to be
found within the limits Of the county
Beautiful and Outlines highly artistic farm.
stesds, with every modern convenience, loom
up In graceful outlines In every direction
With the constant application Of lime and
other high grade fertilizers, the introduction
OF the latest and most improved machinery
for the tlling Of the soil and the tightening
OF the burdens of labor, the lands are seem
ingly burdened with bountiful harvests,
whilst herds of fattening cattle and fiocks OF
sheep, adding to the picturesque beauty,
give hopeful promise of large revenues to
the ever watchful and energetic husband
man. Indeed, q mere glance at the highly
tarmed and productive section Is sufficient
TO warrant the conclusion that the hardy
and Industrious yeomsnry OF Potomac dis.
trct are not only happy and contented, but
full OF hope, and ever on the alert to further
any enterprise that will add to the stimula'
ton of the social and material development
of the people of this district
The crops OF wheat and potatoes have
been exceptionally large and fine, whilst
the prospect for corn at this time is the most
promising ever witnessed. The hay crop has
been unusually heavy, but much has been
lost, and that which was saved and Is being
saved, is thought to be seriously damaged
Much following Tor wheat has already been
done, and large crops OF this grain will he
seeded.
The sheep industry is being revived, and
il gives promise at this time of rich revenues.
A prominent farmer said to the writer that
there ought and would be ten thousand sheep
raised for market In this section II our legis.
lators would pass a law for the protection OF
sheep. To give some idea OF the profits
arising from this branch of industry | will
cite two instances. Mr.. Frank Kilgour pur.
chased 30 ewes in September last, for which
he paid $3.50. He lost one from the 80 re-.
naming he sold the wool for $32 two OF
the ewes did not have lambs; tho 81 had 80
lambs; 30 of these lambs have been sold for
$40; the remaining ten on hand will bring
$50-a clear profit Of So, with the ewes on
hand. More than this, the field OF 10 acres
in which they have been kept for nearly a
year, was the only foul and uninviting field
on the farm, and is now in nice clean con-
dtion, with a heavy coat of grass.
Mr.. William Jones purchased 100 high
grade sheep at the same time, for which he
paid 5000 The wool from these sheep
brought $163, and he has for sale 1870 lambs
which will bring him from $3.50 to 800 -
Both of these gentlemen will increase their
focks this fall. Mr.. Henry Bradley Is an.
other successful sheep raiser.
Rev. W. +. Locke preached an able and
eloquent sermon TO large congregation on
Sunday morning at Potomac Chapel, from
the text: 81 desire to see Christ" His clos
ing peroration, of Plato, Socrates and st.
Paul at Mars Hill was lorenscally heauti.
full and striking. This Is probably one of the
few historic spots In the county. One hun
bred years ago Rev. DR. James Hunt, the
pioneer OF Presbyterianism in the State and
county, was buried here, and for years be.
fore he preached to the largest and wealth
lest congregations OF that period, a large
number coming from the District of Colum
bia and Prince Georges county. II will bC
remembered that the distinguished William
Writ went TO school to DR.. Hunt here, and
afterwards, In the same old log school house
taught singing school, al the same time he
and the late James W. Anderson were Law
students together.
A ride through Glen convinced me OF thu
fact that II had lost none Of It's poetic beauty
and the old mill, likewise historic, because
of It's age, ls increasing Its facilities everl
year In the milling business. Major San
Gloyd, the Pdter Fdmlids Of the town, like
some aged mourner tired of life, lives on th
memory Of other days, whilst his gay Lieu
tenant, George SelbY, still confidently pre-
diets the early incorporation of the town
and that he will enjoy the honor OF bein
It's first mayor. The enterprise OF introducin
electric lights at this point, through th
agency of Mr.. VIM. X. Jones and Others
has been abandoned.
Glen, Md, Aug. 8, 1904. RAMBLER