Milford chronicle., 1909-10-01
EXPERIMENTAL FARM At
BACON, SUSSEX COUNTY

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In furtherance of its policy Of
encouraging agricultural interests
along its lines, the Pennsylvania
railroad. has just purchased a farm
of so acres at Bacon, Delaware, on
the Delaware railroad. 1t is pro-
posed to operate an experimental
station for the benefit of the far
mers of the Maryland. Delaware,
and Virginia peninsula, and with a
view of exploiting the advantages
of that section throughout the
country.
In the fall of 1908, James Nc
/ Crea, president of the Pennsylvania
railroad, made a trip of three days
over the railroad lines on the Della
ware Mary land-Virginia peninsula.
He saw thousands of acres of this
section -one of the richest agricul-
tural districts in the world-idle,
with the adjoining farms flourishing,
and the products of the latter in
great demand in all of the large
markets of the Middle and Eastern
States.
One Railroad S Success.
Having knowledge Ofthe success
attained by the Long Island rail-
road with its two experimental
farms, which have now been in
operation some four years, Mr.. Nc
Crea suggested that a committee
look into the matter of establishing
an experimental farm on the Della
ware-Maryland-Virginia peninsula;
practical demonstration farm,
where the railroad could show the
agricultural possibilities of the land
on the peninsula. The committees
report was favorable and the rail
road has just closed deal where
by it comes into ownership of the |
so acres at Bacon.
According to the last census there
are 1910, 800 acres of land on the
peninsula, of which 2,o5S, 2oo acres
are under cultivation. There are
2S,355 farms on the peninsula, and
it has a total population of some
100000 To secure additional far
mers to cultivate the 1858, sol acres
of idle land is one of the reasons
for which the Pennsylvania rail-
road is to undertake the operation
of an experimental farm. The CO.
operation of the farmers of the
peninsula is already assured, and
the State agricultural colleges,
agricultural boards, and horticul-
tural societies are enthusiastic sup
porters Of the project.
Delaware Close to Markets.
Points on the Delaware Mary /
Virginia peninsula 100 miles
south of Wilmington are, in point
Of transportation facilities, as close
10 the markets of Baltimore, Phila-
lelphia, Wilmington and New York
IS the Long Island farms are to :
New York City. Thus it will be
,een that it is possible for the far
ners to put their products in the
arge markets in excellent condi-
ion. Deliveries are also made in '
me day in Central Maryland and .
Pennsylvania. 1t is a diversified ,
market enjoyed by farmers of >
Maryland and Delaware; it includes
all of the country east
f the Mississippi river-made y
,ossible by a preference freight =
rain service that has created such ;
wide demand for fruits and vege- r.
ables grown on the Delaware Mary y
and Virginia peninsula. This de- a
1and is greater than can now be :,
let and the railroad is taking :,
teps to aid in increasing the num- :
er of farmers to supply it. q
To develop its experiment sta -
on, the railroad has appointed as a
1perintendent, H. S. Lippincott, 2
raduate of the Agriculturist Col Is
.ge at Cornell University. He has <
one practical farming at his home g.
/ Burlington county, New Jersey, ~ y,
nd in North Carolina, two of the "
2untry' greatest trucking sections. a. a.
Superintendent Lippincott has y y
T years taken an interest in ex- - -
erimental work. and he purposes ~
visit the oranges and farmers in aa
flutes on the peninsula, in order y y
.at he may become personally ac- ~ ~
tainted with the farmers from -
Tilmington to Cape'Charles. He % %pe
i'll be prepared to make addresses, De De
sit fairs. and make exhibits of lii'
me of the products raised on the ~ ~
rm, and by this means demon Pe
rate the vital interest the railroad 81