Stranica 521 [521]
HÁG N ÉS eee en ened
HISTORIO" GARDBRN BALE NN TURNÉN ET VA
dl — —=—- A eS
generations, but no residence was ever on same until the present
house was built in 1902.
The development of the Briarfield Plantation has been very
unique. Driveways were cut through the primeval forests to the
site of Briarfield House, which stands on a very high hill. This
hill, purposely, has never been cleared. In the very early days,
some small houses were built by “‘redemptioners,’’ who figured so
largely as a sure source of labor for our ancestors. hese were
the planters of early colonization—the indentured immigrants who
sold their time for passage across the Atlantic to the new world.
On either side of Briarfield House wide borders have been planted,
care being exercised to obtain the effect of bulbs, shrubs, perennials
and vines just coming each season as do the wild flowers. Thus,
thousands of flowers of many varieties bloom happily together,
creating a delightful departure from the usual formal gardens of
lawn and hedges, with designed flower beds. Every effort has
been put forth to conserve all wild growth, and one can enjoy here
dwarf iris, bluettes, partridge clutch, white and yellow orchids, also
trees of “Dogwood,” ‘“‘Sourwood” and ‘Fringe Tree.’ From
the southwest gallery of Briarfield House a view for sixty miles
of the Dan River Valley is a source of endless joy, whether by
moonlight, sunlight, or in shade or shadow. ‘The fertile lowgrounds
sweep out of sight to the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and
even when extensive freshets cover miles in width the scene 15 one
of great beauty. The money crop of this plantation is tobacco, and
at Briarfield and Chatmoss, together, about a million tobacco plants "
are usually set out.
CHATMOSS
Chatmoss, built in 1850 by Samuel Harden Hairston and his
wife, Ailsy, parents of present owner, is six miles from Martins¬
ville, in Henry County, on the National Highway.
The twenty-acre lawn has a wonderful collection of native trees.
The garden, which is quite large, contains a wealth of dwarf box.
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