Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-11

ton Farm, hub OF history.
proving ground of scientific agricul-
ture and the finest experimental en-
terprise Of its kind which soil tiIling
theory or practice ever devised and
dedicated to the cause Of investga-
kion and research.
Scientists of every nation under
the sun come from the four corners;
of the compass to study the expert
mental research in progress at Ar
lington Farm and to inspect the
many thousands OF varieties and Sc
lections Of growing plants which are g
produced there, Travel abroad, II
you will visit the technically trained
agriculturists of foreign countries
and you viii find that the vast ma
1orfty OF them are familiar in one
way or another with this invaluable
farming project, which many Wash
angtonians may have heard OF, but
which few have visited, although II
Is daily open to visitors.
The same estate where George
Washington, more than a century
ago, designed and built a tunnel
under the historic Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal rockbound passage
hway, which still is used as viaduct
S--is now a clearing house for science.
n laboratory of plant-life and growth,
which is constantly testing out this
hical farming. Where. John Parko
Gusts once produced corn. cotton
and tobacco, and where his son.
George Washington Parke Gusts,
later lived and gained fame as prince
Df hosts, Uncle Sam, the master farm
or Of the universe. now cultiyates roll
ing fields and level bottomlands, and
seeks to solve the secrets of modern
farming, a practical science which
A.. =. r.~wanN <Sf lfy{N Va
glory and Egypts early development.
Named in honor Of the Earl of
harrington, who, with Lord Culpeper,
was granted the patent to the colony
of Virginia, originally owned by q
pertain Robert Howson and finally.
acquired by the famous Gusts fam
tly, Arlington Farm has been a silent
spectator to epochal events in Amer
dean history. It was in 1869 that Sir
William Berkeley granted to Howson
. tract of 5000 acres in what IL now
northern Virginia. So far as his
tory records, the only outstanding
occurrence during Howsonss owner.
= ship of the property was its christen-
ang. Shortly afterward, Mr.. Howson
sold 1t for Ga hogshead OF tobacco to
John Alexander, after whom Alexan-
Giria, Va, is named.
It was during the sunset months
OF the Revolutionary War that John
Parke Custis purchased HOO acres
of the Arlington tract from Gen.
Alexander for LOO pounds in Vir-
Einia currency. Mr.. Custis was q
son of Martha Washington, and after
his death the place descended to
George Washington Parxe Gusts,
who was the adopted SON OF our. hrst
President.
Mr.. Gusts was an advocate of
t,nre-bred live stock and held several
AGRICULTURAL fairs and meetings at
Arlington. It was during the ocCu.
pancy OF Martha Washingtonss grand
SON that Arlington GAINED country
wide Importance as q center Of hos.
pitality and base Of courtly enter.
tainneYit Mr.. Custis constructed q
large recreation pavilion and dance
hall and opened his estate TO the pub
lie every day except Sunday. The
extensive area afforded ideal picnic
grounds for thousands OF the resi-.
dents of washington and northern.
Virginia and their guests. During
che Summer from 100 to 200 visitors
partook daily Of the Gusts hospitality.
sometimes George Gusts
would come to the pavilion carrying
his violin and play for the anuse-
ment OF his guests. On other occa~
sions professional entertainers fur
a1ished the music. The Virginia real
and the minuet were danced by +ex-
perts and amateurs. None came to
Arlington but had a good time. Two
rigid regulations We're enforced: No
visitors were admitted on Sunday and
no alcoholic stimulants were allowed
on the grounds.
s Three Virginia and Washington
thurches were built from funds which
Mr.. Gusts raised by charging q
small admission fee to the sleeping
tent which George Washington used
during the war. Mr.. Gusts brought
this tent from Mount Vernon and
pitched 1t during the Summer on the
Arlington lawn. In 1925, while visit
ing in the United States, Gen. Lafay.
cite and his son, George Washington
Lafayette. sat for some time in this
tent which was once occupied by the
older Lafayette's beloved friend and
conrade.
NOU can gain some idea concerning
the popularity of Arlington by
the fact that during the year 1852
more than 10000 visitors came to
view its natural and nlan-rnade splen-
doris and to enjoy its hospitality. The
estate grounds in those days were
evidently the forerunners Of Rock
Creek Park as public picnic place
families could find outdoor recreation
and amusement.
It was not until 1903 that Arlington
Mansion was first occupied by the
Gusts family. The first Gusts home
stood where agricultural buildings
now dot the landscape. Nine adj
hitional years passed before the
residence was completed Upon the
death of George Washington Parke
C,stis fhe Mace was inherited by
his daughter, Mary Ann Randolph
GUSTS, who, in 1881, was married to
Cadet Robert q. Lee OF the West
Point Military Academy.
Al torrential rainstorn delayed this
notable wedding. Rev. William
Meade. who later became the Bishop
81 Richmond, was soaked to the skin
when he finally arrived at Arlington
some time after the wedding was
scheduled to take place. Post haste,
dry raiment. consisting OF sun
formerly owned by George w g.
Gusts, was brought forth Tor the use
ST the minister. Instead Of being
m. 1t was much of q nisfit, Tor the
clergyman was tall and slender,
while the former owner of Arlington
Apvas rather short and portly. Not.
kvithstanding the drawback OF his MS
III garb. Mr.. Meade conducted the
Muptial ceremony which united the
Lee and Gusts families. !.
II was during the early weeks Of
the Civil War that the members q
Kne Robert e. Lee family left airing.
ton, their treasured estate and nome.
Al order to go to Richmond. where
Cen, Lee became military leader ~
the Confederacy. Several days after
the departure Of its owners, Arlington
ss,aa confiscated by the Union Army,