WHERE TO GO 169 



deficient in plant food and are deservedly characterized as 

 pine barrens, being too poor for farm purposes. The growth 

 of oak and pine, as well as chemical analyses, shows that the 

 oak-land soils contain the elements of plant production. 

 They are not so well suited to pasturage or to continuous 

 cropping as naturally rich virgin soils ; they are better fitted 

 for raising vegetables, melons, sweet potatoes, small fruits, 

 peaches, and pears than wheat, Indian corn, hay, and other 

 staples. The eminent superiority of this kind of farming in 

 New Jersey over the old routine of wheat, corn, hay, and po- 

 tatoes is well known. These South Jersey soils are easily 

 cleared of brushwood or standing timber, and of stumps, 

 with a hand or horse-power puller which is a cheap affair, 

 and the wood is salable in all this part of the State at remu- 

 nerative prices, often bringing more than the original cost of 

 the land. The long working season and the short and mild 

 winter favor the arrangement of work, so that all is done 

 with the least outlay for help. They also favor the mos- 

 quitoes. 



" The success of Hammonton, Egg Harbor City, Vineland, 

 and other places is notable, and equally good results are to be 

 had at a hundred or more places as well situated as they are. 

 These lands are sold at low figures, and the settler saves in 

 capital and interest account. Only the difficulty of getting 

 money to help in building interferes with rapid settlement. 



"The West Jersey Railway, the Pennsylvania, and the 

 Philadelphia and Reading's Atlantic City Railroad, the Phil- 

 adelphia and Seashore Railway, the New Jersey Southern 

 Railroad, and other branch roads afford excellent facilities 

 for access to New York, Philadelphia, and the cities of the 

 State. The Cohansey, Maurice, and Mullica rivers head well 

 up near the northwest limits of these lands, and their navi- 



