Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1893-05-05
Industrial statistics.


with il, but we think he might have been d
little more elaborate in whooping up thii
county. This section is naturally the garden
spot ofthe State, and our young friend might
have been a bit more profase in describing il.
advantages We will let him OF, however, il
he will promise to do better next time. Here
is Whist the report says of the county.
Area, 400 square niles population, y l9ii
white, $685. negro, s,2l6 Decrease since
1880, 1857, or 1910 per cent. Area per cap
tia, 10 acres, or 80 persons to a square mile.
Assessed value OF property, So 461,937. Coun-
~ tax rate, 95 cents Size Of farms, $50 to l
200 acres. Price of farming lands, 81 to $50
per acre Principal industry, agriculture.
Principal farm products, tobacco, wheat and
corn. Transportation facilities, Baltimore
and Potomac Railroad, aud the Weans Steam
boat Line, aud Potomac Transportation Com
pany. County seat Port Tobacco.
10 Charles county exceptional advantages
are offered to the cultivator Of farm produce.
The soil in many portions Of the CT unity is a
rich loan, which is particularly adapted to
the raising Of fruit end grain. In various
parts of Peninsula is also found II substrat-
um Of mari, which renders tho cultivation OF
these lands comparatively easy and inexpeN-
sive. The general condition of the ftrmp
lands is poor, the most of the farmers own
much more land than they can give propef
tention, and the lands are, therefore, not
highly cultivated as they would be If in sic
lar holdings There are in some sections,
however some notable exceptions to this rule,
especially on the Potomac, Wicomico and Pa
tuxent rivers, and in various parts of the cas-
tern section of the country.
The size of the farms, averaging about $50
acres, is the greatest difficulty encountered by
the residents Of the county. Prior to 1860
this locality included a large slave-holding
commu atty, and consequently the lands were
concentrated in the hands of few owners,
and, upon the emancipation Of the slaves,
these large holdings were suddenly left with
out proper labor, and the effect Of this with
drawal of labor is still felt to great extent.
1t is safe to say, therefore, that at least thirty
per cent of the land under cultivation in 1860
is now abandoned. OF course much Of the
land is untitled, owing to the lack of means
on the part Of the owner, but the scarcity Of
labor is an important element to be consider
ed The negroes, to whom most of the farul-
ers look for help, have proved very unsatis-
factory class of labor, aud the young white
men have generally sought employment in the
cities, so there appears to be no remedy for
this condition of affairs short of the introduce
ton into the county of thrifty small farmers,
who would he enabled to work the lands to
the hest possible advantage. Farm laborers
would not he so desirable as farm owners; for
though some Of the present owners might take
advantage of an intiuE OF laboiers, most own
ers would be unable to eiupoy them profta-
tly, AS the Ia Of capital is greatly felt.
Abort one third Of the farm lands are work
ed by the owner, and of the tgo-tl lrds wdik-
81 ny tenants. at least one-hnfis in Tie bands
of negroes Lahorets are paid from 50ets to
81 u dag with board. Good labor is always
in demsnd, and the abseuce Of such labor has
greatly restricted farming operations IN recent
years From these facts ii is obvious that any
movement which will. bring Immigrants to
Charles county will aleel wilt hearty slpro-
hation Of the white residents and Wouluresul
in Kidding them Of the indolent aud unreliable
negroes vito are practically q 90 sss;ss,ai-
lever 10 tie caua luinIieFaie : =. - :,
e. geui.i assc,:ialio,s, m dtmnftuce Of cha 8
aud schools, VAIN and friendly RECEIPT. +
the part Of the resi-sn,s, iyuign and b, j,
climate aa.l good land welt watered and3A
u dainty tiaibered. This .imter Isad when !,
ed is Promptly responsive to the most Of a;
rs methods Of Improve ment There IS L.,
he fouud M ahurdanre of fsh aui gal
markeiin, f,eili les W r,iro a an / nayA
o water. With these advantages there N
: be NO difficulty in CHI DUNG the better 4
4 of immigrants -
I. The Chi product of the county is t6b,
Il is upon this product that the people bas
2 theie hopes and upon which they exertail |
energies and their capital Corn, wheat, |
l. rye, h1v and other grasses are alt pratI
aud some few make them sperialties,
majority grow them Incl lentally to ID 'u'
aei vatIon OF tobacco The average yieIE Gu
~ baceo is from 500 to 500 pounds to y
!! The live stock ia the county is good 4 a.
=, cattle have been materially improsesiss dnl
~ recent years. Hogs are not raised to adj l0
extent. Sheep, when properly cared foc. .
very profitable. W
There are no manufactures in Charles 4
transportation facilities by both Land am,
J. ter are very good, and the close proximt
NC the county 10 Washington and Baltmoret
id it au advantage which is destined 10 ma
IS in the future one of the most importantly
ties in the State eO