The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-05-08
CECIL COUNTY.
Rerort of the Bureau of Industrial Sta
tiSticS.


The fifth annual report of the Bureau of
Industrial Statistics of Maryland, just issued,
makes the following reference to Cecil county:
Location and Area.-Cecil the most north
ern Of the Eastern Shore counties, is bounded
on the north by Pennsylvania, on the east by
Delaware. on the south by Kent county and
Chesapeake bay, and on the west by the
Chesapeake bay and Susquehauna river. 1t
contains 575 square miles.
Population. Its population in 1890 was
25,S5l, OF these 1850 were white and 4,OO1
colored II is estimated that there has been
no increase in population since last census
taken.
Assessed Value of Property and Tax Rate
Ih" assessed value Of property of the county
for purposes of taxation in 1896, was S12,-
905, SOL, and the county tax rate 80 cents on
the 800.
Size of Farm and Condition of Soil.-The
farms vary from Ave to 800 acres A greater
variety Of soil is found here than in any other
county in the State. The white oak lands
predominate, however, while stiff loan is
found in many parts Of the county.
Cultivated Arca.-Much of the agricultural
land has not been worked because OF imper-
feet drainage. Within the past few years part
of this land has been reclaimed and put to
productive uses.
Value Of Farm Land.-The price of land is
largely dependent on its improvements. In
some parts of the county. good farm lands
bring as much as 800 an acre, while in others
80 and 80 an acre will purchase u desirable
farm. The average value is about 518 per
acre.
Farm Products. Wheat, hay. corn. oats
and potatoes are the principal products OF the
farms. The average yield per acre Of wheat
is about eighteen bushels, corn thirty bushels.
potatoes thirty-eight bushels, and hay one
ani hall. and in some places two tons.
Timber.-Oak, chestnut, walnut. locust.
beach and hickory grow in great quantities.
About one-nfth Of the cultivated area is in
timber land.
Water.-Thc Chesapeake bay, susque-
hanna, North East and Elk rivers water the
county. The drinking water is good, coming
chiefly from wells and springs.
Roads. Cecil has 700 miles Of road. all of
which are in fair condition. Some of the
roads, especially near the river. need i'm
proving
Principal Industries. Besides agriculture.
TIA" manufactures Of Cecil are an important
factor in the county's' industrial progress.
Among the industries are rolling mills and
iorgcs, blast furnaces. paper mills. flour
mills. fire brick, kuoin and pottery factories.
At Port Deposit large stone quarres give cm-
loymept to several hundred men. and for
1896 their product is estimated ut Il, $50 tons,
valued at 1928 .250.OO.
The manufacturing Of stoves and tin cans
is conducted on large scale in this county.
Wages Of Labor.-Farm Laborers receive
eeventy-hve cents Il day and board, or : .25
without. When working by the month they
make ll2 to SIS per month. In the factories,
mills and quarries, the wages range from
scventy-0ve cents Il day for common laborers
TO $3.50 to $3.50 for skilled mechanics.
Supply and Demand of Labor. The supply
is more than equal to the demand. Men are
needed in this county who will buy small
farms and make them productive.
Transportation Facilities. - Philadelphia
Wilmington and Baltimore, Baltimore and
Ohio. Columbia and Port Deposit, and Balti-
more and Lehigh Railroads, the Chesapeake
and Delaware Canal, Ericsson line of steam
boats, and numerous sailing vessels.
Fuel.-Wood 50 II cords coal 50 and 36 a
ton.
Social Advantages. - Beautiful scenery,
churches of all denominations, school, frater-
nal societies and 4 hospitable population.
Cecil presents social attractions to the settler.
General Advantages. Climate good; land
cheap; the resources of the county are many,
and very desirable for home-seekers: those
with capital can find numerous opportunities
for investment.