Middletown transcript., 1871-03-04
LETTER IRON WESTERN MARYLAsu.


March LIST. 1871.
From the SUBMITS Of the hills in this
region, the Blue Ridge is distinctly visi-
bic. The whole face Of the country is
rolling, Alps on Alps arise" and tho
altitude Of the hills increases until you
reach the Alleganies, about fifteen miles
distant. Immense mineral wealth reposcs
in the bowels Of these hills, which is grad
ually being developed Lime stone, iron
ore and other substances. abound here
and many Of the farmers mine on their
own account, and ship their crude ore by
railroad TO furnaces nt distance. Smell
ting furnaces, established at the mines for
the making Of pig-iron. would save much
in the way Of freight and open up new
industry in this section. The subject is
attracting much attention, and the esinb-
lishment Of large furnace is talked Of at
Westminster, where the Bachman's Val
ley Railroad travers;ng tho richest iron
region in this section, is to unite with I'll
Western Maryland Railroad. The West
crn Maryland Railroad runs from Bulti-
more through the counties Of Baltimore,
Carroll, Frederick, Washington and Al,
legany to the Potomac, crossing that
stream and connecting with the Winchcs-
ter Railroad, and also with the Cumber-
land Valley Railroad When finished,
which will be about the close of The pres
cnt year, the Western Maryland Railroad
will be one of the most important iribu-
tarics 10 the wealth and commerce Of Bal
tlmorc which has yet been constructed.
opening up til" entire mineral and agri-
cultural wealh Of the richest section Of
the State
Lime stone is SO abundant here, that
the farmers have their own kilns 1t is
customary for two or more neighbors to
unite and burn their own lime Lime,
bone dust, and plaster. ara the chief ferti.
llzcrs. \ uasel crop, much cultivated in
tile lower section OF Carroll county. is
that Of worm-stcd II is grown in fields,
ani the oil distilled on the farms and sent
to Baltimore in It's crude state. where il is
refined and is >all to the druggists. Tho
wofm-sccd oil produced in this county. il
pronounced the best in the market
There are hu, few peaches grown here.
though more attention is given to their
culture than formerly. Apples, pears.
Strawberries, raspbcrrics and grapes, four
ish in this section, though fruit culture
has been greatly neglected. until lately
If We hal few such men rs your Coch-
rams, your Clastons, your Towusonds.
your Shallcrasses. your polks 4 lIya,ts.
your Willis, Williams. Wilson's and Fen
imere~. to lead the way have 10 doab,
that fruit culture would succeed, here.
very well i: though doubtless. the peach
will not do as well here as nron the level
plains Of fertile Appoluinimnk and $.
Georges. Some Of the finest apples |
ever saw were grown in this county, and
Were exhibited at one cf the late Agricul-
tural Fairs. Peach orchards are being
SET out, here and there. in favorable To-
caliies, and moro attention will be giver,
to fruit, hereafter
Fish culture is beginning to attract
notice in this region Trout are found
in the mountain r,ams and black bass
have been introduced into the Monocacy,
Pipe Greek and other streams Several
gentlemen have constructed artificial fish
ponds, with til view Of supplying their
own families Others will engage in it
far profit Maryland has her Commits.
sinner Of Fisheries. and the Susquchann,
Is IN be stocked with fish from eggs hatch
cd for the purpose Also the upper Della
ware Bass AMI trout were introduced
into the Potomac. several years ago. by
Nr. seth Green. most successful fish
grower in one Of the northern States The
Appaguinimiuk and all the other streams
of Delaware. might be made TO swarm
with fish. il attention were given to il.
The huckstcrs are numerous class in
this county. They keep large six-horsc
covered wagons. and trade regularly with
Baltimore, carrying butter. eggs. poultry.
and other country produce, and bring back
in return cargocs Of various kinds Of sup
plies for the country. They are quite
wealthy some Of them. having amassed
fortunes in this way.
Our population is composed Of men in
urcd to toll, there being but few negroes
in this part Of the State. You can't we'll
Judge Of n mans circumstances by his ap-
pearance, MS mos, persons dress to suit
the labor they are engaged in, and nearly
everybody works hard.
The farmers nearly all plnw for their
Spring crops in the Fall. and the plow Is
kept running until Christmas. or until il Is
stopped in the fnrow by the frozen ground.
The first Of April is moving day. snd
tenants hold from April to April. There
will be fewer changes. this Spring. than
have taken place for years before. Tho
cause is not understood. There have been
fewer sales. the past two months, than
have been known for years within the
same period Of timc. Perhaps Il Is owing
to the general scarcencss Of money. But
must hero close, as have taxed tho
patience Of your readers enough for once.