The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1874-11-19
k'oPfar VaEley----Agrfc
Sand, geographical Posi-.
tfOn.

Poplar Valley is included between the
hrst and second degrees of longitude East
from Washington and about the 4lst mar
ailci OF North latitude, and occupies the
most favorable geographical position on the
North American continent. 1t extends
from the Delaware Water Gap westward to
Its connection with Cherry Valley dis
tance OF eight miles and width of miles,
1t has total area of about eight thousand
acres OF the best farming and grazing lands
III America. There are no lofty hills in
the Valley. The entire surface consists of
a rich deep soil, especially the land along
the streams. The principal streams are
the Mountain and Shelly creeks. The
Mountain creek watering the Eastern part
OF the Valley and the Shelly creek the
Western. dividing it geographically into
two nearly equal parts. The climate of
this Valley is the most delightful and
hcalthful of the Temperate Zone; it is mil
der than i'll the same latitude east or west
OF 1t, and the atmosphere is dry and pure
Statistical tables carefully compiled from a
series of observations extending through
many years, show the following mean tenn
peratures. Springs, 1872; Summer, 40,
Fall 51o Winter 310 mean annual tenn
perature 5l0 as Its altitude is greater than
that of the adjacent valleys The heat of
summer Is tempered by the south western
winds, and the nights are cool and comfor-
table. The autumns' are like long Indian
summer reaching into the latter part Of
December. The winters are usually short.
dry and invigorating. with but little snow
Cold weather seldom lasts beyond three
months, with frequent intervals of mild,
sunny days. The fall of snow is generally
light, always dry and remains but short
time upon the ground. The roads in win
ter are dry, hard and smooth The pre-
vailing winds are from the South and West
The greatest amount of rain occurs during
the agricultural months, affording sufficient
| moisture for the growths of the soil Dur
ing Fall and Winter the weather is usually
dry.
Among the most attractive characters
tics Of Poplar Valley is the wonderful sa-
lubrity of its climate. This fact is uuivcr-
sally admitted by all who are conversant
with its history, and fully sustained by the
medical statistics of the Valley. From its
! central location, it escapes at once the severe
cold and long winters Of the Northern, and
the hot, relaxing influences of the South
ern States. Distant from Oceans and the
great Lakes of the interior it is exempt
from the chilly, damp winds and the mists
and fogs so prevalent in the countries
bordering on these large bodies of water.
There are no swamps nor stagnant pools TO
send forth poisonous cxhalations and gener-
ate bilious complaints, fever and ague, and
| other disorders resulting from miasmatic
Influences, so common in many of the fair
est portions of the east, are here almost en-
tirely unknown. No part of the State is
less affected with epidemic diseases. The
high altitude, the dry and bracing character
of the atmosphere, and the universal purity
of the water, render this section preculiarly
favorable to persons prcdisposed to pulmon-
ary and rheumatic diseases. Many thus
afflicted have been greatly relieved or en-
tirely cured by a residence here. The sur
face of the valley is divided into bottom and
rolling land The soil Of the bottom land
is of rich aluvial character of great depth,
and Of inexhaustible fertility, it is slightly
impregnated with lime, free from stones
and gravel, Of easy culture, and may be
plowed to any depth required. Under the
pIow it becomes remarkably loose and mel
low. and can be worked to advantage with
in a few hours after long rain. From the
absence of hard-pan and other impervlOus
substances it possesses the singular proper
tv Of resting both unusual wet and con-
tinued drouth, failure Of crops from either
Of these causes is an unheard of event. 1t
docs not bake after rain, and deep mud is
never known. The soil, although easily
penetrated to any depth with a spade has the
tenacty that renders the walling of cellars
and wells unnecessary. The soil OF the up
! Ind is similar to that Of the bottom, but
not 50 deep, producing with very little labor
an ABUNDANCE of all kinds of cereals, vegeta-
bles. and root crops, and all kinds OF 1ruit
and forest trees grown IN this latitude
Poplar Valley is pre-eniuently an agrlcul-
tural valley With its eight thousand acres
of rich arabic Land, the great fertility and
productive power OF its soil, and Its genial,
s,lubrious climate it is destined at no dis
tant period to occupy the first rank among
the GREAT food producing sections OF this
country. The grain is of superior quaii-
;ty. commanding in market from five to ten
cents per bushel more than any other gfain'
Oats. rye, barley, and potatoes and other
crops usually raised ia this latitude do
remarkably well and large returns are
realized. Root crops yield largely.
Poplar Valley is peculiarly adapted to the
cultivation of the sugar beet which forms
SO large and important product OF France
and other countries of Europe. The free
dom from severe frost during the months
of May and September, in connection with
the dry winters and warm quick soil rem
dcrs this valley eminently adapted to the
cultivation of fruit Large crops ofappies,
pears, peaches plums, cherries, grapes rape cur cur,