New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-17
AGRICUL TURE IN DELAWARE.
Correspondence of The N. Y. Tribune.
I.puyFS Del March 10 1860


LEwEs, Del, March 10, 1860.
The sentiments recent utterance Of a distin-
cushed Senator and statesman-thst so soon as a
State feels the impulses of enterprise ambition,
it, citizens begin to study the effecS Of what have
been denominated systems Of cap and labor re-
spectively upon its prosperity and intelligence, has
received an complication OF its truth in the histo-
ny of Delaware.
The greater portion of the Diamond State, in
matters of agriculture especially, has enjoyed a
truly Rip Van Wrinkle sleep for many years, and
there are sections of IFS fair lands which might with
proprety have been designated SLEEPY Hollow, y
so apparently lifeless were the occupants of the
soil Farming for the most part, has been con
Quoted in primitive manner without much en-
hphtenment concerning the constituents of Mother
Earth, her requirements, aud the nature of crops
Confined to the cultivation of the staples OF corn
and wheat. little attention has been directed to the
production of other things. From this absence OF
diversity of products and the incessant tllage OF
the land without afOrding it the requisite nutrl-
ment, the soil in great Heasure became e4-
hausted.
The upper county is not open to this charge, Tor;
situated as it were between two large cities, ana
has not failed to become the recipient of some oil that
energy and enterprise which mark her neighbors,
and to inherit in part their sentiments relating to
certain questions of domestic policy. She soon
recognized the necessity OF free labor within her
borders and its advantages and her Improvement
has been characteristic from her proximity to GER
tain sister States spirit of ygOr has been infused
which has rendered her wide-awake to her inter
ests and the impulse thus impaired to her agricu
ture and manufactures has been attended with
reyulson of the sentiments Of her community, which
are now of decided Anti-Savery tendency. The
declaration made concerning the other two counties
must not be considered sweeping one the remark
applied to Sussex is generally true, but there are
many enlightened farmers in these counties, whoa
doing much to difiuse spirit of progressive move
ment among their agricultural brethren, and whose
farms are productive and proftabe but it has only
been of late that vigorous operation IN this direc
ton has peryaded the masses. Ii is but recently
that the two cOuI ties and especially the Southern
one have been aroused from their lethargc cOndl-
ton their feverish dreams concerning passive I'M
proyement have not been realized their htiul start
ings have ceased, and their somnolency terminated,
and all are improved now that they are thoroughly
recovered from the effects of th lr protracted, unna
turaI, and unhealthy sleep and feel refreshed and
inyigorated with the stimulents which are being al
ministered in moderate quantities.
The incitants which have had the effect of bring
ing them out of their inordinaely cOntnued srspen
sion of the active functions Of their being as counties
and filling them with aspirations, are the railroads
which, by much effort, have been constructed, ana
are now traversiDg important sections OF the three
counties The steam-whistle has awakened them
from their torpor, and demonstrated that the com
monweath had properties lying dormant, when
ONLY needed development to add materially to her
prosperity, and that these properties could r., De
brought out by reasonable degree of energy. Inc
Delaware Railroad in running through the southern
portion of the northern county, nearly the ehtire
length of Kent, and the western side OF SUSSEX mas
done much to stimulate agriculture. Witilh tne
past year several miles in continuation oil thiS lille
have been constructed in the latter county; hine
miles of the Junction and Breakwater kallroad
have been completed; this line taps the DeiawaIe
road at ClaIks Corner, and is now complete 10
South Milford, in this county. Georgetown III t,le
Interior and the shire town, will be reached oy ,he
end of the present year. The road will be eSen leo
to Lewes as soon as practicable ihIiS anoiulns
direct communication between the DelaWare
Breakwater and Philadelphia. When these lines
are constructed, and they projected under very
favorable auspices the State aiding to the amount
OF nearly hall a million Of dollars, from LOTTERY