The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-05-25
ENJOYABLE TRIP
DOWN THE RIVER
The Great Alfalfa Farms of Capt.
lack Visited.
A GREAT CRoP-.-BIG BARNS, ETC.

! SUNDAY dlicIuOOi AAO'l. ~ -. "NNJ
and Mr. Edward B. Huddle, of Green.
vile. Ohio, with Mr.. Lee j. Graves, OF
this city, embarked on the 2 O'Clock
steamer, their destination being Port
Conway, the object of the trip being to
make a personal inspection Of opera
tons in progress upon the great alfalfa
farm of Capt. Jack, situated in King
George county. Va. on the Rappahan-
mock river at that point.
We spent the night Sunday at the
famous Askins Hotel in Port Royal.
The bill of fare was excellent and every
thing possible was done for our com
fort Early Monday morning we were
ferried across the river and in a few
managers of the alfalfa farm.
This gentleman quickly provided us
with vehicle and invited us to use
same in looking over the farm. First
MIR. Graves and Mr. Huddle stepped
out into the alfalfa which took them
up to their waists and while in this
position Friend Judy took snapshot
picture.
We then proceeded to drive over the
BELL Grove" farm. Here on each
side of the road we found great fields
of alfalfa ready for cutting and in the
midst Of it stood one great new barn
with capacity for five hundred tons.
Next we returned in the direction of
the dwelling on BELL Grove and met
Mr.. Zimplemann, the general manager,
at the front gate. He at once took us
in charge and accompanied US over the
rest of the "Bell Grove" farm and to
the experimental station conducted by
the United States Agricultural Depart
ment.
This is said to be the largest expert
mental station of the kind in the world.
Here we had explained TO us the differ
ent methods of preparation OF SOIL fer
tilizer and lime tests and could see the
difference in results plainly.
After this we proceeded to journey
over to the adjoining farm, "Walsing-
ham," Here we found another great
hay barn and great fields of alfalfa
equally as good as those on BELL
Grove.
We saw in operation six or eight
mowers, side delivery rakes, hay load
ers and in short every appliance need.
full or necessary for the handling Of
this crop.
About four hundred acres is in alfalfa
on the two farms and it is the plan OF
the owner not to stop until he puts in
one thousand acres. There are 1850
acres in the two farms.
We next visited the big horse barn
in process of construction to take the
place of the one burned last year. We
found a building planned for forty or
fifty mules and horses with every mod
err economy and convenience. From
this point we went to the well equipped
blacksmith-shop and at this point with
reluctance parted with MIR Zlmplemann,
having spent four or five hours most
pleasantly and profitably. If you are
low spirited about farming operations
take q trip to this farm and see how
they are Just taking as it were golden
coin from the soil in the cultivation of
alfalfa. cutting the crop from three to
five times each season, with a yield
averaging from five to eight tons to the
acre.
After re-crossing the river we saw
fine fields of alfalfa on the farms OF DR..
C. u. Gravatt and others.
Next we drove out to the spot where
WilkesBoOth, who Observation-Disclosures
Lincoln, was captured and killed. Mr..
Garrett, owner Of the farm, an eye
witness to TIE tragedy, was there. Booth
died in about two hours after being shot
in the front of the Garrett porch. Old
Uncle Jim Thornton, who now lives in
Port Royal, ferried Booth across the
river and carried his body back after he
was killed. Jim is now a very old man,
totally blind, but his mind is bright and
he wildly related the facts as II they
were yesterday. Jim spicture was taken
along with his aged wife.
Dinner time was long past wheo we
again reached our hotel. The table was
well laden as usual and our accOmmodat-
ing hostess was ready TO serve and we
did ample justice to the dinner. One
member of our party, whose name
will not mention, ate whole chicken.
when the hostess remarked that spring
chickens were selling for 25 cents per
pound. Our friend did not hear the re-
mark, hence he began on the second
chicken.
Next we heard the whistle Of the
steamer for our return trip and IN a
few hours, pleasantly spent, safely
arrived in Fredericksburg.
Long will we remember this trip and
the many little pleasant incidents too
numerous to mention. WhOl Who'll
G. J. II.