lower and eastern parts of Colesville, in Bethesda, Potomac, and the 

 lower part of Wheaton, there is considerable market gardening for the 

 Washington market. Colesville ships a considerable quantity of berries 

 In Wheaton, Colesville, and Damascus, and to some extent in other 

 sections, eggs are an important product. 



(c) Farm Expenses 



(1) The census, on the basis of a limited number of farms, estimates 

 the average annual expenditures per farm as follows: cash for labor, 

 ^279, rent and board furnished, ^103, feed, ^136, fertilizer, ^124. (See 

 Table No. 7, Appendix, page II.) 



(2) Labor. The wage for day labor varies from 75 cents and board 

 to ^1.50, the average being about ^1.00. Month labor costs from ^12.00 

 with house and allowance to ^30.00, the average being about ^18.00. 

 Everywhere the same complaint is made, that it is hard to get sufficient 

 labor, and that what can be had is for the most part very poor. There is 

 not much white labor in the county. Potomac, Barnesville and Wheaton 

 Districts report a fair proportion of white labor. Through the rest of the 

 county it is mostly colored. 



The laborer here appears to have but little opportunity to better his 

 condition. In the upper end of the county, a number are reported to 

 have acquired farms during the last ten years, but this is far from the 

 rule. Generally speaking, their prospects of economic advancement are 

 almost nil. Their usual treatment from their employers is that of in- 

 feriors with good care. An exception is made in certain districts, nota- 

 bly Darnestown, Potomac, Barnesville and Damascus, in the case of 

 the white laborer, who is often accepted as an equal by his employer. 



(d) Farm Methods 



(1) Rotation of Crops. The usual rotation practised throughout the 

 county is a five field rotation, and consists of, first year, corn; second and 

 third years, wheat; fourth and fifth years, grass. This seems to be the 

 rotation best adapted to the prevailing conditions. The commonest 

 method is to plant corn, then sow wheat in the stubble, then fallow the 

 ground and sow to wheat again, then sow to grass for two years (three 

 sometimes if a good set is not obtained in two). This rotation is varied 

 somewhat where there are special circumstances to be considered, as in 

 the tobacco sections, or where dairying is chiefly engaged in. But the 

 greater part of the farmers adhere to something like this procedure, and 

 the results seem to be quite satisfactory. 



(2) Farm Machinery. In general the farms may be said to be equipped 

 wifh all the best modern machinery which can be used to advantage 

 on medium or small sized farms under the prevailing conditions (such as 



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