Smyrna times., 1909-09-29
PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD
EXPERIMENTAL STATION
PURCHASES A FARM AT BACON
DELAWARE, OF SO ACRES.
This Farm is to be Run as Expert
mental Station for the Benefit of
Farmers of the Peninsula.

In furtherance Of its policy of en-
cOuraging agricultural interests along
its lines, the Pennsylvania railroad
has just purchased farm of so acres
at Bacon, Delaware, on the Delaware
Railroad. 1t is proposed to operate
an experimental station for the bene-
fit of the farmers of the Maryland,
Delaware and Virginia Peninsula, and
with view of exploiting the advan-
tages of that section throughout the
country. In the fall of 1908, James
McCrea, President of the Peninsula
Railroad, made trip of three days
over the railroad lines on the Della
ware, Maryland, Virginia Peninsula.
He saw thousands of acres of this
section, one of the richest agricultural
districts in the world. idle, with the
adjoining farms fourishing, and the
products of the latter in great demand
in all of the large markets of the
Middle and Eastern States. Having
knowledge of the success attained by
the Long Island Railroad with its two
experimental farms, which have now
been in operation some four years,
Mr.. McCrea suggested that a COM
miteet look into the matter of estab-
fishing an experimental farm on the
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia Pen
insula; a practical demonstration
farm, where the railroad could show
the agricultural possibilities of the
land on the Peninsula. The Commit
tees report was favorable and the
railroad has just closed a deal where
by it comes into ownership of the fifty
acres at Bacon.
100000 Acres Under Cultivation.
According to the last census, there
are 1916, 800 acres of land on the
Peninsula, of which 2, O58, 299 acres
are under coultivation. There are
%, 355 farms on the Peninsula, and it
has a total population of some 500, =
900. To secure additional farmers to
cultivate the 1858, sol acres of idle
land is one of the reasons for which
the Pennsylvania Railroad is to under
take the operation of an experimental
farm. The cooperation of the farm
ers of the Peninsula is already assured,
and the State Agricultural Colleges,
Agricultural Boards, and Horticultu-
raj Societies are enthusiastic support
ers Of the project. Points on the
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia Pen
insula 1O0 miles south of Wilmington
are, in point of transportation facili-
ties, as close to the markets of Bal
timore, Philadelphia, Wilmington,
and New York as the Long Island
farms are to New York City. Thus
it will be seen that it is possible for
the farmers to put their products in
the large markets in excellent condi-
tiOn. Deliveries are also made in
one day in Central Maryland and
Pennsylvania. 1t is diversified mar
ket enjoyed by farmers of Maryland
and Delaware lit includes practically
all Of the country east of the Missis-
sippi River, made possible by a pre-
ference freight train service that has
created such a wide demand for fruits
and vegetables grown on the Della.
ware, Maryland. Virginia Peninsula.
This demand is greater than can now
be met and the railroad is taking
steps to aid in increasing the number
of farmers to supply it.
Lippincott Appointed in Charge
To develop its experiment station,
the Railroad has appointed as Super
intendent, H. S. Lippincott, a grad
uate of the Agricultural College al
Cornell University. He has done prac
tical farming at his home in Burling
ton County, New Jersey, and in Nortl
Carolina, two of the country great.
est trucking sections. Superintendent
Lippincott has for years taken an in
uerest in experimetal work, and ht
proposes to visit the oranges anC
farmers Institutes on the Peninsula
in order that he may become person
ally acquainted with the farmers from
Wilmington to Cape Charles. He
will be prepared to make addresses,
visit fairs, and make exhibits of SOM
of the products rased on the farm ant
by this means demonstrate the vita
interest the Railroad is taking in th'
Peninsula. 1t is intended that TIL
Delaware Railroad Experiments
Farm shall make demonstrations il
growing fruits and in improving tn
varieties now under cultivation Of
the Peninsula. Glass houses will b
built in order that experiments ma
be made in growing plants unde
glass. Grasses Of various kinds will