Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-04-24

three days have baen clear, warm and
bslmy, the most perfect SO far of an
erratic spring. New foliage is pushing
forth from trees and shrub.
Orchard and woodland are taking on
tinRe of light green over the winter grey
of bare branches and twigs. Nature mad
BEEN deceived before. In February mauy
of abe more foremost trees burst their
buds and showed tender green leaves,
only to have them blasted by frost. Ger
tain varieties Of towering shrubs pre-
paked to clothe themselves in spring
dresses Of yellow or white, and were SO
sm1tten by the biting winds Of the lalt
OF February and Of March, that now in
stsad of perfect bloc u, there are Q few
ugly, misshspen, undeveloped flowers. So
bright was the promise OF spring that
soft willow catkins came ut in January,
only to be blsckened by the frost.
To-day the young wheat bends under
the warm wind like the waves of a bright
green sea. Robins call pervously from
the tree tops. Meadow lsrks perch on
the fence rail and sing cheerful strain.
A mocking bird sings unsteady from the
hedge, while an early cat-bird answers
with harsh note. The kildee pipes his
plsintive note while he flies over the
pasture. Discouraged farmers look on
the bright side and indulge again the
perennial hope for successful season
and crops.
Three improbable seasons have caused
an unprecedented financial depressi n
among the farmers and produce growers
of this section of the lower Peninsula.
The land, naturally low aud level, was
flooded by the unprecedented rains of
last summer and fall, and growing crops
OF sil kinds ruined or greatly damaged.
The past winters froats and cold, the
most severe OF which came in February
and March, followed weeks OF warm
weather. which had caused vegetation to
make premature starts. The result was
still more damage; especially to the small
fruit and early vegetable crops which are
so extensively grown.
Last summer and fall water stood on
the ground for weeks, and many locsli-
ties became liks great marshes. High
cornfelds and pastures, which had never
been covered before, were flooded with
the swollen waters of creaks and drail-
age bitches. Corn was stunted and
drowned. Rushes and marsh grass have
appeared this spring in high pastures
where they we're never seen before. Last
years wheat crop was only fair at the
best. After II had been harvested the
rains came, and weeks passed before it
could be threshed. II sprouted in the
stack, and rotted and miidewed in tia
shock On high land corn grew rank
and tall. There was a prospect Mt least
OF plenty of fodder, but the terrific gales
Of last September which wrecked score
of ships at the Breakwater, came. The
wind leveled whole fields and whipped
the wide corn blades into ragged ribbons,
There WAS little good fodder to be saved
when 1t had ended.
Stock had to be fed and the more IN.
fortunate farmers soon exhausted thsil
supply OF corn and fodder, or hay. Fol
several weeks past they have had to buJ
fodder at the exorbitsnt prices whict
rule, owing to the small supply or lei
their cattle go half starved. In this rela
ton one of the beneficial effects of thu
past open winter is ssen. 1t was no
hard on cattle, and as grass grew littl,
during every winter month, stock coulC
be turned into the pasture daily, ant
whep the farmers supply Of fodder hal
gone, they managed to exist on the gras
which the warm weather caused to grow
The local supply Of corn was soon low
Farmers who have fed away their seant,
crop are asked to pay so cents bushel
by more fortunate growers who have
supply. Thousands Of bushels OF wester
corn have been brought into the oountr
and sold 70 supply the demand. Thi
product is now selling for 40 cents
bushel.
a prominent citizen of this section
gives his views Of the outlook ana tn
cause for 30 much depression among th
sgriculturiHts in this section.
The majority OF farmers have nothin
laid by for q rainy day or sga;ns' au m
profitable season. This is the ruls anon
the poorer class, and ii ia cause " thre
improbable seasons combined with jn;f
less and careless methods OF farming an
trucking. These men do not advang
ard never will. They plod along in til
same old way year after year, using littl
judgment and apparently no tlluah
Worn Out land is cropped and no manu-
or fertilizer applied. When It beopms
evident to toe dull mind of tenaI
farmer or often land owner OF the les
Intelligent class, that som thing ia neca
sary to bring the land mp, some fertiliz
is purchased on credit and sparingly pl
on the land. No judgment is used as
what chemical elements the land need
The cheapest fertilizer or super- pho
phRte, or the company that gives q
most credit is pAtronized. The result
tina. his land is little better titan be'ol
and the little increase OF yield does n
pay for the fertilizer.
This bad showing does not apply 70 a
There are farmers who farm scient fi3..
and who mix commop-s"nse ana go
judgment with their science. In near
every case these men are not so bad
affected by the vicissltutes OF climst
and are those who have grain and fOdd
to sell at good prices to their less suaoe
full brethren. They have pursued hi
upward course long enough to be able
pass through q season ot crop failu
without financial embArrassmep Tbs
men study the needs OF Their lands q
Wien they buy fertilizers get those q
contain the chemical elements Whi
their land lacks.
The tenant system is largely to bla
for this state of fffairs breeding Us
doab Indifference and neglect on the p
of the tenant toward the and. lie kuo
he can move from the farm on which
llyes at any time, end tilla ths land "
= determination 20 get something from
~ tho amalles. possible expense to hi
asIt.
As have been stated the farmers hi
no money and nothing 10 tutn il
money. AS consequences the corn q
fodder they have been compelled 10 j
chase has been bought on credit, rs h
many OF the provisions for his fan
during the winter. II will take nea
Rll he makes the coming season to
these debts, SO that his future oondiS
will be little better than the present.