Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-03-10
JoTTINGs by TnE wAYsIDE.
YoRK. PA. Feb. %. 1S1a.

Ed. IOOhNAL'-Eic ichse noiu your nos
es" moment and will tell you "Rom-
bier" is not defunct yet, but is still row.
ing AMI circulating medium.
This is lovely morning, md the sun
shines out in all its splendor on the Stars
and Stripes, our National Emblem, as it
floats to the breeze from all the public
buildings in this city IN commemoration OF
Washington's birthday. Also, fitting en-
blems, contrasting the present with the
characters OF l776. are displayed, sur
rounded by beautiful wreaths and festoons
of flowers and evergreens. Bands of mu-
! sic were assembled at the Railroad Station
to welcome expected guests, 10 participate
| in the exercises fitting the occasion.
| Your obedient took the train for Balti-
more, and on arrival noticed the same
marked demonstrations, with all places OF
business closed. Visited several Oyster
boats in the harboF; was informed by Capt.
Avery, of the boat Wm. Williamson, there
were l 900 boats engaged in oyster dredg-
ing in the Chesepeak Bay. The dredges
are q sort Of q net made with iron rings,
with fingers Of iron which loosen the oys.
ters as the boat is driven by the wind, and
] gathered in the iron net, then hauled up
by a windless. From two to four baskets
400 baskets per day. A boat load contains
abont !, 400 bushels. The oysters increase
and grow so rapidly the same beds can be
rake9 every alternate year, with success.
| The price is now 80 cts per bushel, aver
aging about four quarts when taken out of
the shell. ] went aboard the steamer Tan
gier, Capt. Vesey, bound for Snow Hill in
| Worcester county, on the eastern shore
| of Maryland, a distance of 200 miles
Lett the wharf precisely at 5 o'clock p. NJ.
As We steamed down the Patapsco River,
II miles to the Chesa pcake Bay, passed in
Vulnerable vessels from all parts of the
world, which were easily distinguished by
the various aASv<epresonting their Nation
ality. The sun shone in all its dazzling
beauty MS it sunk in the western horizon !;
its rays being reflected by the tall spires in
the city rendered the scene beautiful be-
yond description. Passed Fort McIIenry
OF the right, Just at the city limits, and
Fort Carol in the middle of the river near
the bay. This fort is octagonal in shape
and has been building for several years, and
yet far from being completed.
On the morning of the 23i, at 8 o'clock
made the Port of Crisfeld Somerset coun-
ty, Maryland, in the Tangecr sound, 100
miles from Baltimore. At sunrise, sailed
into Onancock creek very crooked stream
in Occomach, Virginia. Seven miles up
this creek is the thriving town OF Oman
cock, where was discharged large amount
OF freight, including % horses and mules.
Leaving this port soon entered Poe Omoke
sound, sailing in Il northeasternly direction
the wind blowing perfect gale from the
North causing heavy sea, and slow pro-
gress. Was here asked by passenger on
the boat, n native Of Virginia, where | was
from. When told from Ohio, he said,
Right smart piece away, l reckon ?"
Was yon never here afore" "Wall
reckon as how bacon is scarce, and gwine
to be VERY high"
The next port was Shelltown, in Somcr-
set county. on the Maryland side. Here
is located large oyster packing house,
where forty or fifty ladies and gemmen,"
OF African descent, were taking the oysters
from the shell. They seemed to add much
pleasure to the business by singing comic
songs which they did to perfection. Among
other places along this zig gag river, stop
ped at Rehpboili, an old settled town of 800
TO 500 inhabitants. Here is located one of
the oldest churches in the State OF Mary
land.
Considerable lumber is shipped from va
rious points along this river to Baltimore
the boats loading with oyster shells back,
which are used to pave the streets; also,
burned for tertilizing the soil. Arrived at
Snow Hill, at 3 o'clock p. NJ. and hired a
livery man to convey me nine miles east
across the country TO Sinepuvent Bay. Saw
people planting peas and potatoes. The
country is very level and soil poor, with
plenty OF sand No grass of any kind
grown, except in marshes; nor grain ex-
cept corn, which is planted in rows 81 feet
each way. and only one stalk in the hill.
The corp4s topped, and the blades stripped
from balance Of the stalks. is all the fodder
farmers have to winter their stock with.
One horse only is used to plOw the land,
except when not Tiled for one or two years,
hut left to bleach" as they call it, to gain
strength, when two horses are then required.
The corn fodder is put up in small stacks
here and there in the fields. A barn in
this country is certainly an exception.
Chincoteague Island at the entrance OF n
bay bearing the same name, is famous for
raising very fine ponies. Along the coast
oyster fishing in Winter and "truck "
growing in summer, is the principle bust
ness Of the inhabitants.
On the oath took the ears for Philadel-
phia, passing through Wicomoco county,
Maryland, into Sussex county, Delaware.
The appearance of the country along the
railroad is the same as above described-
poor, sandy soil, hardly strong enough for
mullen plants 10 60 TO seed. The old
dwelling houses seemed as though two
huge chimneys were erected and the house
then built between them. In Kent county,
Delaware. the country presented much
better appearance. Large peach orchards,
strawberry and raspberry patches, farms
better fenced, aud finer buildings were seen.
Dover, the capital Of the State, is a small
Ter town with less population than Napo-
leon, Henry county. Ohio. The northern
part Of New Castle county, Is as fine a
country as can be found. Excellent farm
ing and fruit land, under the highest state
of cultivation. Fine residences and bean
tiful lawns here greet the eye in every di-
rection.
Have spnn this much longer than antic-
ipated, and perhaps longer than will he
acceptable to your intelligent readers.
Yours, as ever, RAMpLLR.