Smyrna times., 1870-01-05
IFor the " Smyrna Timns v
Are the Farmers of Delaware Behind
the Age?

KENT Co., Dec. 29th, 1869,
EDITOR SMYRNA TIMEs-Dear SIR There
seems to be disposition on the part of news
paper correspondents, and some editors, to dis
parage the farmers of this State that are to the
manor born. 1t is true that much of our land
has been run down by long course of injudi-
cious cropping, but that is not the fault of the
farmers of the present day; nor should it be
charged against our fathers, for they had not
our opportunities. Half century back, lime
was unknown here as a fertilizer, at least not
used. Peruvian guanO, and other concentrated
fertilizers we're not known or thought of; clover
was but little used, and its virtues as a renovator
Of the soil had not been demonstrated; conse-
quently, we should not 90 back, or let others
go back upon our fathers for not improving
their land as we of the present do with our
present facilities. And we now claim for the
farmers, of this county, at least that many Of
them are equal to the best from any other
State that are now here, or ever have been
here, or ever will be here. True, they may
not farm a thousand acres In wheat, as Mr..
Dalrymple, of Iowa; yet, if Mr.. Dalrymple
will come to Delaware, they will show him how
to grow wheat and corn on Delaware land. We
could name a score of farmers that are equal
| to the same number from any other State ln
the Union, especially to farm Delaware lands.
In saying this much in indicating our farm
ers from stigma indirectly cast at them In the
different papers of this State, do not mean
anything derogatory to those among US called
new comers, or Northern men, but am willing
to accord to them tull credit for all they d.
way OF improvement. Some of them h0v
made great and valuable improvements and will
; out wishing to undervalue the improvement
OF others, we might notice the farm of Gen
Van Worst, near Milford. The lands buildings
fences, and everything, has been transforme
from poor, dilapidated place, to a deigh
home, surrounded by gardens of vegetables
fruits aiq flowers, that must remain for yeal
a monument to his enterprise and liberalit!
/. and he deserves the thanks of that communit
5 tor so freely spending his money in experiment
S on cur lands, "nd giving them lessons in true
farming Now, we are willing TO admit thi
that some Northern men among US are moi
e skilled in truck farming, than those to tE
}; manor born. They have made a speciality
, trucking, while We have made a speciality
" growing cereal crops. Some Northern men e.
r cell Us. in dairies and hay-making. All tn
we are willing to admit. But to admit th
= the improvement OF this or that section
It mainly attributable to new corners, would n
be fact. Our county has been improving +
- twenty years, at least, and was improving 9ui
a as fast before the influx of Northern men,
- it is at this time. Where newcomers he
d brought surplus capital with them they haV
If universally, made their mark. And this mu'
d may also be said OF Delaware farmers.
n These thoughts have been suggested, or
lr vived, by paragraph in last weeks Tim
Or which stated that the Improvements arou
ic Frederick were mainly attributable to ne
of cOmers. This is a mistake There are q
be many new corners around Frederick, and
Y. few Of these are of the improving kind. VIII
es new comers come among us, with skill a
capital, and improve our farms, both land a
buildings, and really excel us, your correspC
. dent will be among the first to acknowledge
k Until then, let Delaware farmers have tn
rs due. One OF THEM