Evening journal., 1909-01-23
Friday, January-23, 1909
DELAwARE's FARMING POSSIBILITIES

& OMMENTING on the farming situation in
Delaware, the Dover News declares that
now IS the time to buy land in this State AS
the News says, every examination of the soil
shows the enormous possibilities of develop
ment
Delawareans have long believed that the soil
IS fertile and that the region between the bays
is the garden spot of the country, capable Of
producing almost anything that grows. In years
past the high farmers devoted their attention 10
peach raising and the value that crop in the
past, despite the difficulties surrounding the
producing of peaches, was enormous
But during the last few years it has become
clear that the farmers cannot depend upon this
fruit for any considerable profit. Therefore,
some OF them, especially new comers have taken
up the cultivation of apples with the result that
apples are produced in this State which
compare very favorably with the same kind of
fruit raised elsewhere. Other fruits and vcgeta-
bles have been cultivated with success. Our
strawberries are better than ever
The fact that the lower counties arc dotted
with canning factories tells of the busy farmers
who are engaged in supplying vegetables.
On the other hand some farmers who were for
merly interested in peach culture have returned
TO grain farming and even the grain farmers
have been fairly prosperous. Times have been
much better with them than they were a few
years ago.
Ii is true that the value Of Delaware land in
cnce to them, has considerably increased of late
Good farms are not drug on the market. Iudg-
ing from reports there is an active demand for
Delaware land Persons from other States want
to come here to settle.
The News raises the point OF how the tenant
farmers are TO be affected. As the News says,
many tenant farmers have let golden opportuni-
ties slip by' Other tenant farmers have en-
braced their opportunities. Some OF the best
farmers in the lower counties arc tenant farm
ers. and on the other hand, many of the most
unprogrcssive farmers are tenants OF late
years much land in Delaware has been bought
by persons from other States who live and
cultivate their own land For them smaller
farms arc desirable. They improve their prop
crty, and the result is that the land increases in
value.
Some years ago colony Of alert farmers set
made the region blossom with fruitfulness What
was considered poor land was converted into
fine fields and the farms in that part of the PEN
insua doubled in value
The tenant farmer TO hold his own must be
progressive, or else he will be crowded out by
the new comers.
Governor Pennewill, who, of course, is in close
touch with farming matters devoted consider
able part OF his inaugural address TO these ques-
toss lie pointed out that good roads and inn
proved schools in the rural regions benefit the
farmers.
It is therefore, gratifying to know that much
interest is being manifested in these matters for
what assists the farming communities helps in
many ways all the people Of the State.
We agree with the News that the talk of the
real estate agents who dwell upon the possibili-
ties of Delaware farming is not'exaggerated.