Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-07-19
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Fruit Growing on the Eastern Shore Of
Ell q MARYLAND.

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Fruit Growing on the Eastern Shore Of
EaTZ Maryland.
The peninsula between the chesapeake bay
and the Atlantic Ocean is largely engaged, as
is well known, in the growing of fruits and
vegetables, which, both fresh and canned, from
the facilities of transportation now existing,
are readily distributed by water and rail all
over this country, as we'll as largely exported
to Europe.
During recent visit to Queen Anne's coun
ty on The Eastern Shore of this State, and
part of the peninsula named, we accepted an
invitation to visit the farm of Mr.. James
Thghman Of John, who is one of the most ex-
tensive, as well as one Of the most intelligent
aud successful fruit-growers in the county
On this place, besides the early vegetables,
which we believe are rather an "eutside" affair,
the main business being in fruits, wezfound
orchards of Peaches. Cherries and Pears, plan
tatiUns of Strawb berries, Currants, Raspberries,
Blackbe and Gooseberries, and vineyards
Of Concord Grapes.
Ofearly vegetables Mr.. T. grows Aspara-
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except of the last, are harvested and shipped
before any of the fruits are ready for market
Then come the Strawberries, of which, when
we were there, the last were just being picked.
Except in experimental plantations, where all
vafieties are tested, the Wilson's Albany con-
siitntes the sole crop. The first that go to
market early in the season are grown under
glass, and shipments continue till the price
falls below 10 cents quart, when the berries
are sold 10 a canning establishment which is
fortunately situated on the next farm, and to
which large quantities of fruit are sold at a
profit which would not pay to ship 70 distant
markets; shipments this, season, which has
been poor one in consequence of the drought,
have averaged ton day, which is only a.
bout one-third the usual amount.
Mr. Tilghman has about $4,000 Peach and
5000 Pear trees-the latter mainly the Bart
lett and Duchesse d'Angouleme, varieties not
only the most profitable, but which escape
the blight, which with other kinds, particular
~ the Vicar of WINFIELD, is extremely de-
structive. We were shown half-acre oil
pears which last year produced at the rate of
$500, and the year before of 5000 per acre,
and one tree, dwarf Bartlett, occupying 10
feet square of ground, yields an average year
ly revenue of 81. Dwarfs of this variety,
however, do not succeed as well in this locali-
ty as standards.
A field of seven acres contains 1000 Cherry
trees. Early Richmond), 1000 grapes (Con-
cords), 1000 Currants Red Dutch, and 5000
Gooseberries, 1--WE are not certain whether
Houghton's or Smiths). The last fruit this
year brought SIS a bushel. New plantations,
orchards and vineyards are being continually
A. M, Oh SC ifo
largely of the Herstine Raspberry, having
heretofore grown the Brandywine, PhiladeI-
phia and others. In planting, very liberal
applications of manure are made, reaching
sometimes 1000 lbs. of Poudrette, and 900 lbs.
Of Bone Dust to the acre.
Mr.. 1ighman does not think that fruit
growing is Business which can easily be over
done, believing that the demand increases as
rapidly as the supply. He instances the case
Of small town in his vicinity which former
" was overstocked with 40 quarts of straw
berries day, but which now, with no in
crease in population, takes 500 quarts. Mr..
T. ships his fruits to New York, Philadelphia
and Baltimore. In one year, as we were in
formed, bis net profits reached $4,000. This
spring, he sold 270, 900 strawberry plants, al
most all in his immediate neighborhood.
Queen Anne's is not so extensively interest
ed in peach growing as Kent, the adjoining
county, but most of her farmers have market
orchards. Mr.. Blanchard Emory has one OF
1000 trees, which, when two years planted,
yielded him $500 net, and last year, when
three years planted, $500 net. Mr.. E. like
Mr.. Tilghman and most of the peach growers,
believe in clean cultivation and no cropping
between the trees.
Last.year the peach crop was very large but
very Improbable to the growers. Varieties,
between the ripening of which there is usually
an interval of two weeks, were simultaneous
~ ready FOL. market, thus producing glut and
depressing prices. This year the yield will
be a fair one, unless shortened by the drought
A great deal Of fruit is falling from the trees
but this. unless it continues too long, will inn
prove the quality and increase the size of the
remainder. american Farmer.