Colonel Lloyd kept a large and finely cultivated garden, which afforded almost constant
employment for four men, besides the chief gardener, (Mr. M'Durmond.) This garden
was probably the greatest attraction of the place. During the summer months, people
came from far and near--from Baltimore, Easton, and Annapolis--to see it. It abounded in
fruits of almost every description, from the hardy apple of the north to the delicate orange
of the south. This garden was not the least source of trouble on the plantation. Its
excellent fruit was quite a temptation to the hungry swarms of boys, as well as the older
slaves, belonging to the colonel, few of whom had the virtue or the vice to resist it.
Scarcely a day passed, during the summer, but that some slave had to take the lash for
stealing fruit. The colonel had to resort to all kinds of stratagems to keep his slaves out of
the garden. The last and most successful one was that of tarring his fence all around; after
which, if a slave was caught with any tar upon his person, it was deemed sufficient proof
that he had either been into the garden, or had tried to get in. In either case, he was
severely whipped by the chief gardener. This plan worked well; the slaves became as
fearful of tar as of the lash. They seemed to realize the impossibility of touching TAR
without being defiled.
The colonel also kept a splendid riding equipage. His stable and carriage-house
presented the appearance of some of our large city livery establishments. His horses were
of the finest form and noblest blood. His carriage-house contained three splendid
coaches, three or four gigs, besides dearborns and barouches of the most fashionable
style.
This establishment was under the care of two slaves--old Barney and young Barney--
father and son. To attend to this establishment was their sole work. But it was by no
means an easy employment; for in nothing was Colonel Lloyd more particular than in the
management of his horses. The slightest inattention to these was unpardonable, and was
visited upon those, under whose care they were placed, with the severest punishment; no
excuse could shield them, if the colonel only suspected any want of attention to his
horses--a supposition which he frequently indulged, and one which, of course, made the
office of old and young Barney a very trying one. They never knew when they were safe
from punishment. They were frequently whipped when least deserving, and escaped
whipping when most deserving it. Every thing depended upon the looks of the horses,
and the state of Colonel Lloyd's own mind when his horses were brought to him for use.
If a horse did not move fast enough, or hold his head high enough, it was owing to some
fault of his keepers. It was painful to stand near the stable-door, and hear the various
complaints against the keepers when a horse was taken out for use. "This horse has not
had proper attention. He has not been sufficiently rubbed and curried, or he has not been
properly fed; his food was too wet or too dry; he got it too soon or too late; he was too
hot or too cold; he had too much hay, and not enough of grain; or he had too much grain,
and not enough of hay; instead of old Barney's attending to the horse, he had very
improperly left it to his son." To all these complaints, no matter how unjust, the slave
