Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1891-02-26

ers for some action to relieve.
The general government can 90 far.
in all fairness. to remedy these evils
under which the farmer hes been
brought to bis present condition. I do
not mean BY this class legislation, but
l ho.d the doctrine that when a vast
industry is crippled beyond self.
resuscitaiion. that it is the privilege
OF the government TO come forward in
aiding and giving strength and activ.
ity by wholesome laws. TO that par
ticular industry in our midst upon
which rests the weight of the entire
fabric.
This question. fraught az it 10 with
the vital welfare of our common.
wealth. should be tho main issue upon
which We should 90 to the people;
not in meaningless geaeralities. but
With q specific line of policy which
would at once become beneficial in
its results.
Now. gentlemen, I have hastily,
but by no means thoroughly, gone
into the questions and conditions
which confront rs in q general way.
Let us see what can be done as prac-
teal men. on our own individual re.
sources.
i II is q positive necessity that the
formers Of Maryland must change
their general system of farming. and
thereby try to tide over this terrible
ordeal through which we are now
passing, until such time as the second,
sober drought Of the conservative
American people shall assert itself in
rightful measures.
General farming in the cereals,
such as oats. corn and wheat, we all
know, cannot be grown without loss
with the average prices of the past
i've years. Owing to competition
from Western States, the numerous
trunk lines and their branches run.
ming into all sections of the country,
and this competition causing low rates
OF freight to the sea.board. together
with the new lands that are being
daily opened up for cultivation
taking into consideration all the ad.
vantages of steam machinery. such as
steam ploughs. portable threshers,
reapers, etc., q. system of farming
which can only be adapted to the
prairies Of the Wes.-it makes it i'm.
possible for the farmer of Maryland to
expect to become q successful Compel
itor.
The fruit culture on the Eastern
shore Of this State in the past has
been the means Of large returns but
1t Is an open question whether the
peach orchard 10 a'permanent produc.
tive source. It was at one time of
immense proportions 10 the State Of
New Jersey, but gradually left that
State. and was largely developed in
the upper portions of Delaware and
the counties of Maryland adjacent !;
and. more recently, has extended to
the Southern portion of the Eastern
Shore; but it is no longer the source
OF the great revenue that it was; al.
though it seems to be growing rapid.
ly in the mountain districts of West.
ern Maryland, where some of the fin.
est specimens are grown, and with
good financial results.
The tobacco interest of Maryland
needs careful and considerable atten.
ton, and thoroughly believe that
with proper energy. zeal and push in
the cultivation, handling, inspection
and sale of this article. the revenues
for the same can be greatly improved.
The laws both of the State and the
national government that hamper this
industry should be altered.
In my observations and travels for
the last few years. looking around as
farmer, large land owner. end one
who is deeply interested in all that
tends to the agricultural interests of
Maryland. l have been impressed with
the fact of the general scarcity of
horse breeding within our borders.
When We glance over the daily pa.
-pers OF our city, and find frequently
column after column advertising the
Western horse. it cannot help but put
the thinking man to asking himself
this question Why is this? With
thousands OF acres of as fine grass
land as one could wish within stones
throw OF the city limits, and extend.
ing for miles in all directions. yet the
merchant of Baltimore. if DESTROYS of
purchasing team, Immediately makes
application of some dealer or firm in
the Western States. a few years ago
the State OF Kentucky had almost a
monopoly in horse breeding. for both
thoroughbred and trotter. as well az