Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-04-04
THE AGRICULTURE OF DELAWARE


No. 1.
Editors of Tribune Perhaps one of
the most interesting subjects that can be
presented to the readers of the Tribune is
the condition of the agriculture of your
State. To say that it compares unfavorably
with Pennsylvania, and some other more
northern States, is to tell but half the truth.
Whether as regards the cultivation of the
soil or the improvements, such as buildings,
fences, &C., Delaware appears to be far be-
hind some of her sister States. Although
taking her place as one of the older, and
earlier settled States, and enjoying milder
climate, and kinder soil, her progress has
been comparatively slow. 1t is my present
purpose to point out some of the reasons why
she is thus behind
Securing seat in one Of the comfortable
cars that run on the Delaware road, few
days ago, was carried swiftly and safely
down through the centre of the State My
observations on the route were strictly con-
fined to the natural features of the country
for agricultural purposes, and the condition
Of its Improvements. AS regards the first,
have seen no country, where there are fewer
obstacles to successful cultivation. Although
Its general features might be considered flat,
there arejust sufficient fluctuations, to carry
off the surplus water, without washing the
soil away, and the soil itselfis generally COM
binatlon of those three essential ingredients,
clay, sand and loan, which, when properly
combined, make perfect soil, and have
seen no country, except few districts in the
West, where these three essentials are so
generally and SO evenly diffused. This being
the case, the question naturally arises, why
should Delaware be behind other States, in
prosperous farming? Why are her fields COM
paratively bare? There appeared to me to
be three important reasons, which will name
in their order; first among these causes is -
Neglect to sou grass seeds. Soils to be
kept improving, should be kept covered as
much as possible and by seeding literally
with the different kinds of domestic grass.
such as timothy, clover herd &C., (the lat
ter being nearly obsolete in Pennsylvania
this very desirable object may be partially
attained. think there is no one thing, by
the neglect of which, the farmers of Della
ware lose so much, as in this particular, their
fields being generally destitute of grass
Another important loss is sustained in
The almost entire neglect to Supply
suitable farm buildings for the proper
housing of stock, and it would appear that
through the greater part OF the winter, cat
tie and sheep and sometimes horses, are to
be seen running at large, wasting their ma
nure, and getting precarious subsistence
from the already too bare fields. This loss
of manure, is very much increased by the
very large yards, that expose the manure to
be washed away with every rain Add to
this the poor condition in which stock will
be found in the spring, and the very frequent
loss by dying from exposure and you have
combination of losses and waste which no
farmer can well afford. One farmer in
Maryland near the Delaware line, told me
that out OF flock of one hundred sheep
forty died during the winter, loss Of forty
per cent. and the poor condition of the re-
mainder would make a loss of at least fifty
per cent. Now where such a system of
general waste and neglect is the rule and not
the exception farming can never be profit
able occupation.
There are some districts, it is true where
some care is taken, to provide shelter fol
stock, but generally, so far as my obserya.
tons extended, farm buildings were entire,
inadequate, to the proper protection of stock
One OF the stormiest days of the season.
saw many fiocks of sheep huddled together
behind fences, and old sheds made by logs
endeavoring to get some little shelter from
the driving storm.
The houses appeared very little better thar
the out-buildings; farm houses, general,
consisting of small frame or log, one stor,
tenements with seldom tree or shrub +,
make them attractive, and not seldom. pip
and cattle enjoying themselves, in compan,
with the dog,and chickens in the front yard
A fayorite plan, with some seemed to be, Il
construct their homes as for from the roat
as possible, and have the entrance to pas
through the center of the field thereby saw
ing lane fences
But time and space fail me to note dow
the many deficiencies that were presented a
Ipassed along, and must leave to a futur
number to suggest some of the reasons VIII,
Delaware has not taken her place among tn
foremost of agricultural States.
UNCLE JOSEpu