The Washington herald., 1910-08-21
By ]. CLINTON RANSOM

By J. CLINTON RANSOM.
The opening of a ferry service between
Cambridge and Annapolis, Nd. with con-
nections between Annapolis and this
city over the Washington. Baltimore and
Annapolis Electric Railroad has arous-
ed new interest in the Eastern Shore Of
Maryland
The probability OF a large passenger
service between Washington and Cam
bridge, with q possible development of
freight service between the two points.
gives to the situation thus formed large
Importance fl this city. This is particu-
larry SO in that the Chamber OF Com
merce is. through one of its committees,
giving what aid it can to the project Of
building up trade between Washington
and the Eastern Shore.
The Choptank River is a great avenue
of commerce. It's banks are dotted with
large and fertile farms. with growing
towns and the summer homes OF wealthy
men who have sought out it's salubrious
shores for quiet and healthful passing Of
the heated term away from the big
cities.
Changes Old Customs.
This movement of wealthy people to
the Eastern Shore OF Maryland and the
purchase Of the old estates along the
water fronts in Talbot. Dorchester. and
Caroline counties has completely reVo-
lutienized agriculture and the GUS
toms Of the people there in the last ten
e..
did in the oiden time. Canneries have
been established there, and the farmers
are no longer left to the tender mercies
Of the commission merchant IN the dis
tant markets Of the big cities
The best Of the fruits and other prod
ucts Of the soil 60 to the markets df
Philadelphia and New York under con
tracts usually signed in the month OF
February before they are grown. and
signed in the farm Offices on the Eastern
Shore, often at the farmers own price.
as tho buyer has now 10 deal with a bust
ness man who knows the price Of COM
modities and the chances OF production.
The inferior grades Of fruit and pro-
duce are disposed Of to the Gamers also
under contract at good prices. Wheat
is Inspected on the Eastern Shore and
sold at Chicago prices. Farmers on the
Eastern Shore are growing rich. They
have eliminated the middle man and
sell first hand TO the best advantage to
themselves.
Region About Easton.
A recent trip to Easton and rides over
land hN afffan,nkfT.
County and along its shores in a steam
launch shows the same conditions All
the farms upon bcth shores Of the four
rivers and the countless creeks. coves.
and inlets which indent the Chesapeake
shore line Ia e been bought up by we'll
TODD families. who are farming for
profit and spending portions of every
year gaining better health. bowling over
the shell roads Of Talbot and dashing
over the waters OF the Choptank. Tired
Avon, Miles. and Wye rivers in their
steam launches. The gasoline boat has
literally driven the old cat boat from the
waters Of Eastern Maryland. as the
gasoline buggy has pretty nearly dis
placed the horse on the county roads.
On Peach Blossom Creek. one Of the
tributaries of the Tred-Avon River. W.
f. shannon and Ray Middaugh. the
Washir gton builders, have pitched their
summer homes. Each owns a snug lit
tie farm down there, and each has his
family settled there every summer amid
the pleasures and plenty Of that garden
spot Of the Maryland-D Delaware PENN
sula
NOrtherner Comes in Winter.
While the washingtonians spend the
summer there. one Of their nearest
neighbors is the possessor Of a 250-acre
farm. She is the daughter OF a wealthy
Milwaukee business man, and it was in
the old house now supplanted by a new
one that she was nursed back 10 robust
health several years ago. when doctors
dispared and relatives had nearly lost
hope, She spends the winter on the
Eastern Shore and the summer with her
father in Milwaukee. Other Wisconsin
families have followed the pioneer to
the water front OF Talbot County and
speed the winter months there. .
The four rivers cutting across Talbot
County. with their tributary creeks. d.
vide the land surface into many small
peninsulas. called necks. One Of the
most prominent is St. Nichaers Neck.
between the Tred-Avon and the Miles,
rivers. Near the center of this neck
runs fine shell and white oak road.
from Easton to Claiborne. Over this
neck also runs a branch OF the Pennsyl-
vanla Railroad, which crosses the PENN
sula from Claiborne to Ocean City.
Down st. MichReIs Neck.
An automobile ride down St. Michaels
Neck reveals many things of interest to
one unacquainted with the peculiarities
of Eastern Maryland The most striking
feature of the ride is the almost total
absence of any signs Of habitation. For
a good part Of the way the forest grows
thick and almost imperetrable to the
road line on either side. and one rides
miles and miles over a smooth avenue
Ranked with verdant growth of long
leaf pine, sweet gum. oak. and other
hardwoods. The forests there now are
said to be the third growth from the
primeval trees cut away by the early
colonists, and the standing timber is for
the third time coming into the cutting
size. lumber still being one of the In
dustries pursued upon the Eastern Shore.
Where the cultivated fields lake the
place OF the growing trees the road is
lined by cedars. with waving corn and
great fields Of tomatoes behind. with
stIlI no sign of habitation. The road is
the back door of the farm. the front be-