The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-06-20
rhe Maryland strawberry counting.

A correspondent of the Philadelphia Times,
writing from Salisbury, Wicomico county,
Nd, says: stAlthough rapidly being devel-
oped, this section has never shown half it is
capable of. Lying between the Atlantic ocean
on the east, and Chesapeake bay on the west,
we are free from the sudden changes of heat
and cold, and enjoy mild climate. All the
delicacies of the water are procured within
our borders, and the best fruits and vegeta-
bIes are raised in abundance and served fresh
upon our tables. The delicious oyster can be
taken from the water and landed in Salisbury
in three or four hours, and many varieties OF
fish are caught almost within the harbor OF
the Wicomico river at Salisbury. Visitors
from the Northern cities call this the garden
spot, and well may they do so.
"Much greater development may be looked
for row, as the people see the Importance OF
keeping pace with the times. This section OF
the peninsula has heretofore been considered
slow, but such improvements have been made
within the last few years as to rid 1t OF the
appelIation of being SLOW
ssSince the introduction of the strawberry
into this country, about fifteen years ago, the
growing Of this crop has assumed large pro
portions Many growers have as high as ten
and twelve acres set, and the income derived
from the crop is several thousand dollars an
nually. Next to the corn crop, the growing
of strawberries and other small fruits rank as
the most important. The picking and pack
irg of this fruit require an army of workers
and brings handsome revenue to those en-
gagged in it. 1t is a curious spectacle to see
the merry throngs going out in the morning
before the suR is up to pick the berries.
Children who are barely large enough to walk,
young men and girls, old men and women,
white and black, wend their way each morn
ing to the fields wet with dew to pick the ber-
ries. As rapidly as they are gathered the
berries are taken to the packing house, placed
in the crates, and as soon as enough are hlled
to load the wagon, are started for the depot
to meet the train. Each driver urges his
horse to its utmost ability to pass his neighbor
and arrive at the depot first. Here scene
of wild confusion exists. As soon as load
of berries is in sight the commission agents
and they are as thick as the leaves OF Vallam-
brosa-make a break for the wagon, each So
Letting the berries to ship to his particular
commission merchant. Unless the driver is
very careful and keeps both eyes open, he
will never know to what house or what city
his berries are going, as the agents will stick
cards over each others crates, and IN divers
ways increase their days shipments.
HWhen the train arrives another scene OF
confusion commences Some are late In ar
irving, and are pleading to be allowed to load
their fruit, although the manifests are closed.
Away off in the distance can be seen string
of wagons loaded with berries, each driver
urging his horses to the top of their speed to
catch the train before it leaves. And so 1t IS
for three or four weeks during the strawberry
season. The people of the cities are almost
totally ignorant of the worry and work that
are gone through to put this fruit in market.
When this crop is over, then come the
peaches, which are grown largely in this sec
ton, but not so largely as few miles further
,orrb -