Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-01-24
VIRGINIA ESTATE.
hires Splendid 1O,OOO-Acre
SPlace at Oak Ridge.

"a
The manor house itself stands upon
d old farm site guarded by gigantic
* trees. The farm is Two miles from
Ii. Ryan's birthplace, Lovingston.
he house was built in 1900; 1t was
guare and severe. To this was added
two story, colonnade entrance and
wing at each side, improving the
Proportions and resulting in tlne
type of Southern residence.
As the train stops at he estates sta
lion, Oak Ridge, the visitor flnds the
entrance marked by wrought iron
gates. Here are the postotfice ana
express office, and from this quaint
building of stone painted white, with
Iae slipping green ROOF which is a fea-
lure OF all the buildings on the place,
{ is but a short walk to the general!
office. building. About this the business
of the farm centres, for not a product
Of the farm goes out, not an article OF
supply is brought in, that is not ac-
counted for in the farm books. Here
is the Office OF the general supervisor,
who has each departments of the farm
under submanager.
p The first structures seen from the
(tflice lare The lately constructed dairy
Euildihgs, where are housed the 100
pure-bred Guemseys, headed by the
champion bull miable of the Isle. Near
this is the power house, where the
100 horsepower engine furnishes cleo
trio current for the entire place, which
lis lighted and worked by electricity.
On Bellevue Hill, which command:
an unbroken view Of the Blue Ridge
for many miles "a huge reservoir
holding 100000 gallons of water has
been built and it supplies water fol-
he entire place. A grist mill run by
ectric power furnishes all the flour
Id on the place and in the enarby
nmunity. It's capacity is 20 bar
Is a day But the flavor Of Old Do
iriion days come back when we see
he old grist mill run by water power,
where the cornmeal is ground.
One of the important growing de-
bsrtments of the farm is the piggery
The hogs are Of the English Tamworth
breed, the bacon hog. Some 200 pigs
are housed here and have their graz
pg ground in wood furnishing the
huch- loved acorns. Last winter 100
pigs were killed and dressed Old ne
gro .-snon and :, women come te~..the
"dressine" and the scene is that Of an
outdoor fete day.
The curing and trying-out house,
with it's huge stone firep,gces and big
1 kettles, is presided over by the ne
gro mammies who understand this
branch of the industry, and when all
is done the rows upon rows of Oak
Ridge hams and bacon hanging from
the big rafters form an interesting
Isight.
The poultry plant, with its 5000
White Leghorns, is a practical affair
Gt is a working plant, With an average
of 100000 eggs shipped in each season
Lately have been added $50 head of
Dorset sheep and sanitary barn with
all modern equipment is under con-
struction. The 100 beef cattle arc IN
important feature Of the farm, ard
the butcher showed with pride the
cold-storage room, where he awaits
! his customers.
sMr. Ryan is landlord VINO takes q
ersonal interest in his place, and the
St of energy and enthusiasm has
skened the sleepy region and made
I wide-awake settlement, bring
into the locality many new people
FURNISHING employment to those
eady there, while ii has not detract.
from the romantic interest of thu
egion. It is the boast of the region
hat within 20 miles of Charlottesville
the university town, which is 30 mile:
from Oak Ridge, have lived more dis
stinguished Americans than within any
5eoua! radius elsewhere.--N. Y Sun.