The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-05-21
Outlook Agriculturally in Lower Hartford.

ST. I. W. sends to the Belair, Md,
1f7gis and LatelHgencer the following interest
ing account of the progress of the canning
business in that county:
The development in all material things IN
Hartford is very encouraging, and m nothing
more so than in its agriculture. In addition
to the cultivation of the cereals, the planting
of tobacco and the canning OF vegetables is
assuming large proportions. The improve
ment is seen in all sections of the county, but
in none more than in the lower part OF 1t. In
that section, along the line of the PhIladel
mia. Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad,
from the Gunpowder river to Havre de Grace,
and including an area of ten or fifteen miles
square, the canning interest has grown TO
large dimensions. The pioneer IN this indus
try in the county was George W. BAKER, Dr.,
a gentleman to whom the people of the coun-
tv are greatly indebted-an Indebtedness
which they do not fail to recognize. If he
who makes tive blades of grass to grow where
but one grew is public benefactor, surely he
who adds feur-fold or more to the produc
tive power of whole community is deserving
of high place in the esteem of his fellow
citizens. Happily, unlike many other public
benefactors, Mr.. Baker is rsaping richly the
fruits of his intelligence, diligence and skill.
The work of Mr.. Baker, his sons and 9th
ers, in the neighborhood of Aberdeen, IN the
preparation of the land for the coming crops
of vegetables, is of general interest.
Commencing at the home farm of Mr.. Ba-
ker. which we shall designate as No. /, we
found at a recent visit there So acres plowed
for corn. His tract contains 10 acres, 10 OF
which was given by his father, and the bal
ance was subsequently purchased. On tins
farm is a canning house, and here he canned
first, in 1867, blackberries, peaches and to-
matoes. The highest price then obtained for
tomatoes was 81. so per dozen 10. cans; for
peacbes So per dozen cans, or $40 case,
IN. cans: , 10. cans SO. so per dozen The
present prices are greatly below these, but
remunerative. In the immediate vicinity are
the canning houses of Mr. VIM. Jewens, and
Mr.. Carsius. the latter house on the farm for
merry owned by George Baker, Jr.
The next farm visited, which we shall call
No. >, is that of Charles ". Baker, FIVE
eishths Of mile west of Aberdeen. On this
tract of so acres is a Gaming house, and here
will be brought the corn raised on farm ct
400 acres in Bush river Neck, near MIchaels-
vile, recently purchased BY Mr.. Baker. Two
hundred and sixty acres Of the $50 will be
planted 10 corn. In addition to canning,
this gentleman is broker, selling the goods
Of the many Gamers in the neIghborhood OF
Aberdeen, amounting last season in the ag-
gregate to l25,uOO cases, worth $3.50, 600
Two hundred aud Fifty thousand cases, worth
$500, 600, is the business done at the three
stations Of Aberdeen, Perryman aud Havre
de Grace Charles ". Baker, has by prompt
ness and integrity in his business transactions
secured the confidence OF the whele commu-
nifty.
The next farm visited which we shall natnc
No. s, Is that of James b. Baker. This
farm contains 200 acres, 100 Of which will be
planted in corn. This, The well known Nor
gan farm, lying AZ aud around Halls Cross
Roads. Is most ehgibly situated, and has on
it most inviting residence and an extensive
canning house This gentleman has recently
received patent for an instrument for pack.
ing csrn.
The rex. farm seen. No. I, belongs to
George W Baker, ST. Il Is kRoWn rs Edge-
wood or the Griffith farm, and contains 100
acres, loo Of which will be planted 10 corn.
Adioiaiag E3gewood IS the Cranberry farm,
No 8. containing $50 acres, lI5 Of which
wsll be in corn. This is Owned BY and in the
oce1pany Of William y. Baker, a gentleman
we'll known as an intelligent aud energetic
business maH. Gu ihis farm Is 4 canning
h0ase.
The next farm, which we may designate as
Ne 6, belongs 70 George ". Baker, ST., and
corn.
No. Is Clsvesdale, or the Russel farm.
belonging 10 George ". Baker, ST. THIS
tract Of laRd consists Of 30 acres, 10 Of
which will be planted IN corn. The cross
feaees OF this farm have ali beeR removed,
Au3 the uausual sight in Hartford, Is presented
% a pioued sela Of 20 acres. Tbls has q
canning hoase. The next farm. No. s, IS
HopeEei This also bcloags 70 George W.
Baker. ST., aud contains 355 acres, 20 Of
which wiH grow corn this season. Il Is under
the difecgioa OF Gee. a. RAker, known amoRg
bis friends a. Gap" We regretted bis sb-
ssace en- The day Of our visit.
No. Is the farm Of tohH Baker Of Geo.
containing 6 acres, part Of which viii BE-
planted ia cora
The whole number Of acres beiHg prepared
Ter corn By George W. Baker aad Sons Is
COS, and the number Of horses and males
employed IS co. Tie average yield Of corn,
II sae season shall be favorable, will act be
les than - cases to the acre, which II sold
al So ~ per caxe, sill am0ant 10 the hand
some saa % S3i2. 600. hAyeBos been advised
certainly Of the probable profit, bat eogee
gsrc thai u Sili be satisfactory. The amount
Of fertilizer used By Mr.. Baker. Sr., - coo Ms.
Of bone neal and from loo 70 30 nss. Of phos-
pAAfe 10 each acre cultivated. The whole
aamber Of canning houses IN the county Is 20
OF more. and Increasing rapidly.
The fear in some quarters is that this indus
try sill a. no distant period Be Overdone
That sach = catastrophe is possible Is comics
ted; shat Ii Is probable may o. may not be.
The demand for canned goods Is ecriaisiy IN
ereasing boz ~hesher the production IS Ia
crcasiug more rapidly than The demand is 10
be determined. One ibing IS obvious that
the gentlemen whose farms | have so lately
seen have taken the tide Al the aoSd. "ThSre
Is a ,ide 10 the affairs Si men which when
taken Al the GOOD leads to fortune, ARd Il
Is segtasa thai the elder Mr.. Baker lhs "th0
nesr and Prince Of Hartford Gamers as be
has no, inapproPriaieiy been called, has struck
q BONANZA ARd that he has By his example
and uoEds Of encouragement added materially
to the possessions Of many OF has fellow csti-
Eens Is true.