Evening journal., 1909-09-27
PENNSY ANNOUNCES
FARM PURCHASE
COmpony's Purpos is to
Boom AeriCuItureOn Della
ware PeniDula
FARMERS PLEASED WITH
M'CREA'f SUGGESTION

The Pennsylvanis Railroad Company
has officially confined the recent pub
lication in THE EVENING JOURNAL
that the company is about to establish
an experiment. farm of 50 acres at
Bacon. sussexcounty. Farmers through
out the stats regard the company's in
tention as oJe Of the most important in
centives to|the development of agricul-
ture on tbs Delaware Peninsula.
In the elll of 1908, James Mccrea, pres
idet OF he Pennsylvania railroad. made
q trip bf three days over the railroad
lines on the Delaware-Aiaryiand-v Virginia
peninslla- He saw thousands OF acres
of this section-one of the richest agri-
cultural districts in the workable, with
the adjoining farms hourishing, and the
products Of the latter in great demand
in all Of the large markets Of the Mid
die and Eastern States.
One Railroads Success.
Having knowledge of the success at
tanned by the Long Island railroad with
its two experimental farms, which have
now been I'm operation some four years
Mr.. McCrea suggested that committee
look into the matter Of establishing an
experimental farm on the Delaware
NIaryland-Virginia peninsula; a prac-
teal demonstration farm. where the rail-
road could show the agricultural possi-
bilities Of the Land on the peninsula.
The committees report was favorable
and the railroad has just closed deal
whereby It comes into ownership of the
80 acres at Bacon.
According to the lasa census there are
3.9l6,so0 acres OF land on the peninsula,
OF which 2,05S. .299 acres are under culti-
walton. There are 2s,S55 farms on the
peninsula. and II has total population
OF some 100000. To secure additional
farmers to cultivate the 1.S5S501 acres
OF idle land is one of the reasons for
which the Pennsylvania railroad Is 70
undertake the operation Of an expert
mental farm. The cooperation of the
farmers Of the peninsula IS already as
sured. and the State agricultural col
leges. agricultural boards, and horti-
cultural societies are enthusiastic sup
porters of the project.
Delaware Close to Markets.
Points on the Delaware -Maryiand-vir-
ginia peninsula 100 miles south Of VIII
mington are. in point Of transportation
facilities, as close to the markets OF Bal
timore. Philadelphia, Wilmington, and
New York as the Long Island farms arc
to New York City Thus II will be seen
that it is possible for the farmers to put
their products in the large markets IN
excellent condition. Deliveries are also
made in one day in Central Maryland
and Pennsylvania. II is a diversified
r.F ~ Tar la ~
and Delaware; IL includes practically al
OF the country east of the Mississippi
rfver-made possible by a preference
freight train service that has created
such wide demand for fruits and vege
tables grown on the Deiaware-M Maryland
Virginia peninsula This demand Il
greater than can now be met and tn
railroad is taking steps TO aid in in
creasing the number Of farmers TO sup
ply It.
To develop its experiment station. thu
railroad has appointed as superintend
ent II. S. Lippincott, graduate Of tn
Agricultural College at Cornell Univer
sity. eli has done practical farming a
his home in Burlington county. New Jer
sey. and in North Carolina two Of thu
countrv's greatest trucking sections.
SUPERINTENDENT Lippincott has fo'
wears taFen an interest in experimental
work. and he purposes to visit tn
oranges and farmers Institutes on th'
peninsula. in order that he may becom'
personally acquainted with the farmer
from wilmington to Cape Charles. III
will be prepared to make addresses, visi
fairs. and make exhibits of some Of tn
products raised on the farm. and by thi
means demonstrate the vital interest tn
railroad is taking in the peninsula
To Grow Small Fruits.
It Is intended that the Delaware rail
road experimental farm shall max
demonstrations in growing fruits. and II
improving the varieties now under cult
walton on the peninsula Glass house.
will be built in order that experiment
may be made in growing plants unde
glass. Grasses Of various kinds will b
planted. including alfalfa, timothy. an
other nutritious hay. The farm 4
worked out" but It was obtained 70
that very reason, in order that It ma,
be demonstrated how the fertility Of tn
soil can be restored, and that It can b
done prohtably.