Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1899-01-05
TCoMMUN1cATED.

tOUAM Y HEATED.
MEcHASIcsvILLE, Dec. IS, '9s.
Editors Of the BEACON gen
TLEMEE I'll read the letter in your
columns OF December 22nd. by
Prof. w. 8. Amoss. Director Of
Farmers Institutes, in which be
outlines the work to be taken upi
Southern Maryland during this
year. 1t was with much surprise
and regret that | noted the damper
thrown over the hopes aud aspira-
tions of the tobacco growers. at .
time, when they are about to begin
the labors of another New Year.
The said Director begins his latter
with encouragement of the growth
Of tobacco, stating that unless some
improvement can be made in the
production of the commodity, the
tobacco trade of Maryland will be
lost in favor of some other country;
that he has exhausted his resources
aud will drop the subject for the
season, proposing to take upin lien
thereof dairy farming, small fruit
culture, and lastly to devote much
of his time and energies in the dis
play Of magic lantern shows Of the
historic scenes on the Hudson. Ii
may be pleasing, and even instruct
i've, to our farmers from an histor-
ical standpoint to learn something
of the home of Henry Hudson, and
the beautiful Catskill Mountains in
which Rip Van Wrinkle spent twenty
years in slumb Der, but / fail to see
the benefit to be derived, by those
interested in paying the taxes on
their farms, and providing an
humble living for their families
The tone and tenor of this letter,
coming from the Director of Far
mers' Institutes in an official state
ment, tends to depreciate our staple
product in the minds of the con.
SINNERS, buyers, commission mer-
chants, and indeed the farmers
misunderstanding them to lose
all enthusiasm, vim and energy in
their work. Our lands, both by
the character of the soil, and CHI
matte influence, seem especially
adapted to the growth of tobacco.
The fertilization, they have receiv-
ed up to this time, has been with
view to fit item for that purpose.
Our labor has been trained by life
contact to grow and handle the
crop, consequently knows nothing
else. The farmers themselves are
not prepared to take hold of any
other crop, and must of necessity
depend upon tobacco for many
years yet to come. All their saw
ings over and above living expenses
have been spent in preparing their
farms for growing and curing that
crop; they can not afford to Law
aside their capital--their all-the
result of frugal life-to engage in
enterprises which are at best exper-
iments.
To grow an orchard takes a num-
Der Of years, and a considerable
outlay of money which the farmers
have not, and could raise only by
mortgaging their lands, thereby in
creasing their indebtedness, and ad-
ding the burden of interest to their
many expenses. There are several
apple orchards in this county. from
which there is never an apple ship
ped. simply because our apples can
not enter the markets as competi.
tors with those from New York
and other apple growing States,
the appearance and flavor of whose
fruit are much superior to ours. 1t
is true that our peaches meet with
ready sale, bnt with us they are
such an uncertain crop. owing to
the changeable climate in Spring
while the trees are in bloom. that
We cannot think of depending upon
them to meet our annual expenses.
While Strawberries and other small
fruits are brought to our doors
from the Southern gardens six
weeks before ours i'ipen. and sold
{ at . less price than for which We
ON grow, pick and ship them.
Now as TO the last suggestion,