Evening journal., 1909-05-17
DELAWARE A
RICH FARM STATE
Soil and Location Favorable
TO Harvesting Of Big
Crops

DOVER. May 17.-One of the most
interesting and accurate articles on
Delaware's productivity and increasing
wealth has come to the notice of the
State Board of Agriculture, published
in the American Agriculturist and
there is some talk of the Board issuing
the article in pamphlet form if it can
get the consent Of the publishers.
In the course of descriptive story,
the Agriculturist says:
Not alone is the location of Della
ware influential for the agriculture of
the state, but the conformation of the
land is such that it favors all lines
Of farming that can be done in the
/ temperate states. on either side of the I
| Chesapeake peninsula are great rivers \
and bays which act as balance wheels |
in modifying the climate so that even |
tender vegetables and fruits may be |
grown with more certainty than they
can be on the same latitudes inland, |
where this water influence is absent. |
Then too Delaware bay, besides fur
nishing abundance of fish and other
sea food is used as a channel for trade.
Great quantities of produce and fruit
are shipped by boat to Philadelphia
and other distributing points. This
water transportation furnishes an eco
nomical system of shipping to balance
against the railroads of Delaware, and
in the near future trolley lines are
expected TO have a still further infiu-
ence as they extend through the state.
The appearance of the farms indicates
general air OF thrift, due to profit
able produce returns. At least half OF
the 10000 farms recorded by the last
federal census are operated by farm
owners. The area of improved land
is placed at $4,000 acres; the unim-
proved brings the total over 1,066000
acres. The average size Of the farms
lis 10 acres, an average area consid-
orably less than the average of the
whole country The value of the farm
property was approximately SAC. 100000
at the time of the last census, but has
since advanced more than 25 per cent.
OF the amount mentioned nearly S34,-
100000 was represented in land and
buildings; S2,150.OOO in farm imple-
ments. In 1908 the value OF live stock
had increased S6.7O2,0O0 from the S4.-
100000 reported by the 1900 census.
Farm products for 1908 were estimat-
ed at S13,000.0 600 so that all in all the
state has much to show for its size.
Soil Favorable to Good Farming.
In general the land is level; there are
no hills worth speaking about in the
agricultural part Of the state, and no
rocky fields so common to New Eng
land, Pennsylvania and New York; one
can so for miles without seeing a
stone in a field. On this account,
many of the farmers in the states
mentioned have recognized the super
ior advantage Delaware has to offer
and have brought with them improv
ed methods. Thus they have added to
the already large census Of good far
h mers. The soil varies from a light
p alluvial sand to a heavy clay. 1t is
n practically all easily titled, because OF
" its character and its nearly level po-
sition. The sandy lands, though not
= naturally retentive of moisture anc
fertilizer. are easily made so by the
u use Of leguminous green manures
which grow in great luXuriance. Cow.
NJ peas and crimson clover are especially
valuable and easily grown with mex.
pensive mineral fertilizers applied il
moderate amounts When turned
under they furnish plenty of humu.
and nitrogenous plant food. to insur,
nc abundant crops Of such vegetables al
sweet and Irish potatoes. tomatoes
cabbage. melons and corn all of which
a are highly profitable and are grow
in immense quantities. These land
H. are easily worked at any time whel
not frozen. They warm very Quickl,
!. in the spring and are especially valu
able for market gardening They ar
-, also well adapted for the famous Della
ware peaches and strawberries. grow
~, in great abundance all through tn
peninsula.
as The kindly soil is greatly favoro
IT.
n which is also aided by we'll -distrib
uted rainfall. averageing 46 inches
ne. year In this climate such crops a
Ter crimson clover. spinach, cabbage. kal
and other hardy plants viii grow al
W. most all winter. so that the groun
may be utilized for several month
longer than land on equal latitude far
ther from the sea. This feature is q
special value to the market gardene
ISIS who can take advantage Of II and sc
IN cure two. three or even four crops in
ay single season Wheat. barley, oat
and rye are all grown to a greater q
is less extent. but as the land can b
art used more profitably for vegetable
he and fruits. these crops are less popu
ge lar than formerly.
len The Leading Crops.
'' Though dairying. sheep, swine an
cattle raising and horse breeding al
led less practiced than i'm other section
RS this is only because crops are consiC
lc) cred more profitable than stock. Thei
al is no reason. however. why thei
osY branches Of agriculture should not
,r undertaken on a larger scale than th'
led arc at present. They would almo
the all be profitable enough at least to SUI
sht ply local demands and i'm some cas-
oNe be profitable also for supplying nee'
rs outside Of the state.
le Poultry raising is less popular thu
ct il should be for the same reason. Mu,
Of the land is admirably adapted
egg. broiler and roaster farming. al
where streams are located waterfo
tor would he exceedingly profitable.
es- cause the breeding stock could fe
5. themselves for almost the entire yei
ers. and much OF the food for other fov
and could be secured from the water a
the pastures. Along the shores Of I
ub- bays there are many locations as a
ing mirable for goose and duck raising
r. the famous ones of Long Island. TT
branch OF farming is practically und
ID veloped in Delaware
tho Large acreages are devoted annua
=, TO corn. more especially sweet col
ele which is raised to supply the deman