Smyrna times., 1866-04-25
Delaware Lands.

The great advantages of soil and climate pos
sessed by Delaware and the Peninsula for agri-
cultural and horticultural purposes is fast Civ
ing it notoriety abroad that must be benef-
cial alike to parties in quest of such lands and
to the agricultural interests of our State. We
are led to this conclusion from seeing articles
In our Northern exchanges from time to time
giving favorable descriptions of the land, eli
mate, weather, etc., of this State and the East
ern Shore. A correspondent of the New York
Tribune (mOst probably one of the proprietors
OF that journal, Mr.. Stebbins, who is director
in the Junction & Breakwater r. r. Co. pub
fishes long article descriptive of the soil and
products of our State. This correspondent
thinks that "no maps of the State fairly rep
resent the surface as to the sources of moisture,
which are abundant and lasting, in the shape
of lakes" There are no rocks and hills below
New Castle county; no freshets or gullies !:
the country is level, and consequently all the
moisture is absorbed instead of run off; the
soil is light and easily improved; mill-ponds
are more numerous than in many of the East
ern States, giving generally an excellent water
power; the roads are level, and spring wagons
can be used everywhere; farm work can be
commenced five weeks earlier and continued
five or six weeks later than In New York; the
coil is easier of cultivation, and the writer has
mo doubt that the economy of farming in the
Delaware peninsula is full one-third greater
than in the more northern country east of
Ohio" These are, in brief, some of the ad-
vantages mentioned. The products of the
State are then considered, the peach occupy
ing large share of attention. In 1864 Della
ware sent TO market near one million baskets
three years hence the writer says he can easily
believe intelligent Delaware farmers when they
tell him that 5000 900 baskets of the fruit will
be shipped. Greater facilities for shipment
Is necessary. In GA the railroad carried SO
carloads day-42, 500 baskets-and vet it is
estimated that near 100000 baskets were lost
from non-shipment. Cheaper shipment is as
important as increased facilities for shipment,
as the following will show Last Fall sweet no.
tatoes Ia specially of Sussex sold in the lower
part of the State for 81 per barrel, while at the
same time-in New York they were selling at
sc per barrel. The cost of transportation and
and commission amounted to S., so that no
more was raised than could be consumed in the
county. 1t is estimated that from $50 to 300
bushels per acre of this vegetable can be raised
and that Sussex county alone could grow a
million bushels per annum.
This shows the importance of increased rail-
road facilities to the Northern markets. The
reason why Delaware is behind in raising these
products is because she has lacked the advan-
tages of market to consume them after they
were produced. Give us ample and cheap trans.
portation (even If it takes competition Co do i'll
! ana we can compete with any section in the
ses untry. We can become what Long Island
ana New Jersey is-a vast truck patch for the
cities Of New York and Philadelphia. The
,consssA ction of the Junction & Breakwater.
: and the Bombay Hook roads, in connection
with the Delaware road, will greatly add 10
these fac1ilies and to the value Of, our lands
Wehave remained unknown and undeyeloped
because we have, until recently lacked tina,
which was necessary TO bring us into notorietv.
naLeely inter,sd improvements We did moi
even d appreciate o,r. natural advantages our.
selves unit. the last-nan I'd road was construct.
ed. Wethen saw the increased value given
to our productions, and took enlarged ideas
of the science of agriculture and ap,;lied our.
selves in advancing aud adapting that sci,nce
9fe.tia- Z
If you want good Carpet, 90 to Aliens. az
! he has Rag, Hemp and Ingram 1T low ur;cas