The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-08-23
MI iSceIla n @ O III 8.
Letter From Oakland.
FARMING IN GARRETT CoUNTY-ADvAN-
TAGEs TO SETTLERS.
Ia The E2it0r of The IEniQ


TAGEs TO SETTLERS.
To the Editor Of The Kgis:
SIR: Believing that it may may be pro-
ductive of good to some of your readers,
permit me to offer you few items concern
ing agricultural matters in this section of
the State.
There are three strong inducements pre-
sented to settlers in this locality, namely,
fertile soil, cheap land, and a good, conven-
lent market. That the soil is fertile is
proved by careful examination of farm
statistics, as supplied by reliable authority
in this vicinity. I have seen, in the post
office of this town, during the present
season, rye, grown on the farm of Mr.. b.
johnson, fully eight feet in length, and
timothy grass, grown by Mr.. Nelson Irving,
nearly six feet long. One farmer, an intel
lgent and conscientious man, informed me
that he has been harvesting now for forty
years, and has cut the heaviest rye this
season that he ever harvested. He expects
to realize so bushels to the acre, and is GER
tain of 40 or more. About 25 bushels to
the acre has been the average crop Of rye,
but it is regarded as rather variable crop.
Wheat usually yields about 90 bushels to
the acre, and is then considered pretty
good crop, although 25 or 2G bushels to the
acre are often produced. If the ground
were entirely free from stumps OF trees, and
other distractions, probably from 40 to so
bushels of wheat to the acre could be raised
but us it is now, scarcely two thirds of the
surface is under cultivation. Even under
| these circumstances as many as 80 bushels
| to the acre have been raised without forcing
the growth in the least. Spring wheat has
also been experimental with recently, and
| with very fair success. Buckwheat is one
of the staple farm products, and it is doubt
| ful whether it or oats is most in favor with
the farmers. Large fields of buckwheat
frequently average 33 bushels to the acre.
| When particularly good spots are selected,
u much heavier yield may be recorded but
| take no note of that in Il candid statement
of averages, such as this purports to be-
Bucllwhcat is shipped in large quantities
| from this town. Oats, one farmer informed
me, has yielded him as many rs so bushels
to the acre in other seasons, though not
quite so good this year. Sometimes it is
as high as 60 bushels to the acre, but the
general average is 80 bushels. Some assert
that oats is the most profitable crop raised
in Garrett county. Corn has improved con-
siderably of late years. 1t used to be some
what of Il failure, but lately there have
been numerous yields of 80 bushels to the
acre. The climate of this entire region has
undergone considerable change during
the past few years. Owing to the more
general cultivation of the soil it has become
warmer, and the spring season opens earlier.
The average corn crop is rated by few
good authorities here at from so to rs
bushels to the acre, by others it is said to
be less. Taken altogether the entire grain
crop is little better than usual this year.
The potato crop is always excellent
Potatoes are raised in great quantities, and
with little labor. The general yield is from
200 to 800 bushels to the acre, though fire.
uuently 400 bushels have been averaged. -
The latter is esteemed a good crop.
Hardly any manure, and very little lime,
have been laid on the land in the past 40
years, and good deal of it is in conse-
quence almost worn out.
Probably the best Investment here is live
stock. Cattle are fattencd for the market
with little trouble or expense. In the dry
glades there is almost unlimited pasturage,
free to everybody, during the whole graz
ing season. The grass in these glades is
waist high, and the surface is free from
marsh or bog. People from all parts of the
surrounding country avail themselves of
its advantages, and bring stock to Craze
there during the entire summer Cows
are generally in the best condition good
mixers, aud give excellent beef. The
best sheep to be found in the State of
Maryland or, in fact, i'll any State In the
Union, may be seen here everywhere and
their mutton tastes better and sweeter than
any that can be produced in any market
in the country. Horses, too, thrive, and
always appear to be well kept. The butter
made here rates very highly in the markets,
and is always of the best quality. When
we take into consideration the large variety
of rich grasses and herbs to be found all
over this mountain district we cannot
wonder at such results. Hay is also fine
crop. Three tons of hay to the acre have
been mown by Mr.. Bush, of this place,
during the present season.
If cheese factory were to be started
here, it would pay well. Milk could be
purchased for ten cents q gallon, or less
Unskimmed milk is sold by some parties
here at 12t cents gallon, but they acknowl
edge that it is not a paying contract.
This is just the place to raise hogs. They
can find an abundance OF mast in every
direction. White oak acorns abound. The
lumber trade is very important all through
Garrett county. Quite number of saw
mills are in operation and doing good