Middletown transcript., 1892-09-01
EDITORS ON AN OUTING.
THE PENINSULA PRESS ASSOCIATION
TAKES IN BOSTON AND OTHER
HISTORIC PLACES.

i
The annual excursion of the PENN
sula Press Association, composed of
representatives of almost every paper
on the Peninsula, left Philadelphia
Friday morning for Boston and the
East. The Reading Railroad sends
out each day at $50 A. NJ, a we'll
equipped train of Pullman cars by
the Poughkeepsie Bridge Route di-
rect to Hartfol d and Boston. On this
train members of the Association
took passage.
The route was one over which few
Delawareans travel. tits picturesque
and affords many views of interesting
places and grand scenery. From
Philadelphia to Bethlehem and thence
to Easton the route is through good
farming and manufacturing section.
From Easton, where the road crosses
the Delaware river the country is
hilly and the farming is confined to
the valleys. Dairying seems to be
the chief industry, and the herds Of
cattle are of the best grades and seem
always to be in good condition. That
part of New Jersey, and New York
west of the Hudson river is not very
interesting country in an agricultural
sense, but some sections, especially in
the vicinity of Great Meadows, pro-
duee great quantities of onions. The
land on which this vegetable is grown
resembles closely our new meadow
lands. The soil is black and loose
and grows weeds in abundance.
The great feature Of the route is
the Poughkeepsie Bridge over the
Hudson river. This great iron struc-
ture spans the Hudson at the city of
Poughkeepsie and is the only all rail
connection between the railroad lines
of the east and west sides of the river.
1t is a cantilever bridge of steel, GIGS
feet long and 212 feet above the water.
By means of this bridge the
Reading secures the most direct
route to the east; all other lines
crossing the river by ferry, thus caus-
ing delay and inconvenience to pas
sengers. The Poughkeepsie bridge
will serve through many generations
as reminder Of the energy, perse-
veranee and the ability of the Ameri-
can engineer. Man may be mere
atom in the makeup of the universe
but he looks big when such structures
as this are credited to his account.
Passing through that section of the
State of New York east of the River,
and then across the whole northern
part of Connecticut many fields of
tobacco are seen. The crop this year
seems to be good and the harvest is
now on. Much of the land appears
to have been abandoned but is now
being taken up again. Tobacco re-
quires a strong soil and heavy fertil-
izing and is very exhaustive, but
there seems to be tendency toward
improved methods which will here
after prevent the impoverishment OF
the soil Just east of Hartford farm
was pointed out on which it is said
$50, 900 worth of tobacco was raised
last year. The crop is now being har-
vested by the dealers who purchase
the crop somewhat as our Gamers
purchase tomatoes and corn. The
cultivation of tobacco might be prof
itably tried by Delaware farmers.
Passing over into Massachusetts,
we entered country of a nature not
inviting. Hilly and overgrown with
scrub oak and other useless bushes it
does not present attractions sufficient
to satisfy the agriculturalist. When
nearing Boston some fine country is
seen.
The arrival at the Hub " so fills
ones soul with patriotic emotions
that more space and more time are
necessary to a proper description of
the places of interest which abound
in the city where SO many noble deeds
were done and where so many of the
great historic figures of the revolu-
tionary period exerted the influence
which led up to the completion of a
system of government second to none
the world has ever seen.
We shall endeavor to give some in
teresting facts relating to the trip in
our next issue. 1t is well however to
express, at this earliest moment pos
sible, our appreciation of the kind
ness and self-denying labors of Fl. G.
Carpenter who made it possible for
the Association to enjoy the trip, and
of the courtesies extended by the
Reading Railroad company. At the
American House, where we stopped
while in Boston, every member of the
Association received the best of atten-
tion at the hands of the proprietors,
Messrs. Keller and Pocock. The
service was of the best aud the man
does well who pins his faith to this
famous Eostelry.