RESOURCES OF DELAWARE. 



321 



EXPOSITION OF THE CONDITION AND RESOURCES OF DELAWARE. 



At the late Farmers' Convention, one of the 

 plainest, least glittering, but most useful dis- 

 courses, was by Mr. John Jones, a practical far- 

 mer, in attendance, from near Middletown, Dela- 

 ware. He came down at once to practical mat- 

 ters, and gave a most encouraging and agreeable 

 sketch of the progress and prosperous condition 

 of Agriculture in his own State, and of the 

 growth and activity of business at Wilmington. 

 He dwelt on the advantages to be anticipated 

 from tlie extension of manufactories on the Bran- 

 dywine. The capital employed in manufacto- 

 ries in Newcastle County alone, w^as reported 

 in 1840 at $1,384,700. The annual value of $314,- 

 500, about one-sixth of what was manufactured 

 iu Pennsylvania. The manufacture ^f powder 

 was 2,100,000 pounds. The Messrs. Dupont 

 manufacture weekly, 5,000 pounds of wool. They 

 brought the first full bred Merino ram Don Pe- 

 dro, into that County ; but it did not need Mr. 

 Jones's evidence to establish the association in 

 our minds of the name of Dupont with what is 

 most enterprising and useful and patriotic in the 

 progress of American Industry. 



Mr. Jones stated that Major P. Reybold is now 

 the most extensive wool gi'ower in Delaware, 

 having for some years past, flocks of about two 

 thousand. He gave, in short, a graphic account 

 of the husbandry' of Delaware in all its branches ; 

 giving credit to those who have signalized them- 

 8elves,by skillful attention to different objects. He 

 remarked that the farmers of Delaware generally 

 deemed it better not to raise hogs ; prefen-ing 

 to sell their com at 40 or 50 cents to their east- 

 em, and buy their bacon from their western 

 brethren. He noted with exultation, that no 

 vhit^ky is distilled in Delaware. "No," said 

 he, emphatically, "not one drop." In reply to 

 the reputed unhealthiness of Delaware, and the 

 Eastern Shore of Marj-land, he proved the con- 

 trary by statements of obstinate facts drawn 

 from the Census. On the score of taxes, he 

 knew not tlie exact per cent., but he paid on 

 740 acres of land, only $56,63. His statement 

 of the provisions for Education, was highly hon- 

 orable to the State. 



Mr. Jones gave some instances of remarkable 

 success, naming individuals and particulars — as 

 for example : J. Sampson of Delaware, raised 

 103 bu.shels of wheat on 2| acres; E. Bellah of 

 Brand^•^vine. 39 bushels to the acre on a field of 

 (G21)....31 



nine acres, sowed amona the sianding corn in 

 July ! Dr. Noble reported the case of his 

 tenant R. Millwood, who, on -a field of thirty 

 acres, made 37 1 bushels to the acre — as ad- 

 judged by measurement of two acres of average 

 yield. This land was a few years ago purchased 

 for $15 an acre, and would not then have yielded 

 more than five bushels — the land was improved 

 by apphcation of 200 bushels of shell marl and 

 10 horse-cart loads to the acre, of Philadelphia 

 compost consisting of the refuse of skin-dressers, 

 glue boilers, &c. He attested great and very 

 general improvement through the State, espe- 

 cially in their wheat crops, which he ascribed 

 chiefly to the use of lime and better modes of 

 culture, and to improved implements — to the 

 use of the drill, roller, &c. He spoke in high 

 terms of the efficacy and popularity of a drill 

 machine invented by Moses Pennock, a plain, 

 unpretending farmer, of inventive genius and 

 useful in his example — the same who invent- 

 ed that valuable implement, the revolving 

 horse-rake. Prompted by conviction of its 

 value, many of these drill machines have been 

 put in use in Delaware with the utmost satisfac- 

 tion and success. Hussey's reaping machine 

 was highly commended on experience of its ef- 

 ficacy — over twenty acres a day had been cut 

 with it in a complete manner, and he thought 

 ten or twelve would be purchased in his coun- 

 ty next year. Mr. Jones was well impressed 

 with the influence of Agricultural Associations, 

 Farmers' Clubs for social meetings and discus- 

 sions, and dwelt with emphasis on the benefit 

 and greater security of a home market for Agri- 

 cultural produce. 



He gave an impressive account of the " peach 

 business " in Delaware, of which, as well as of 

 the sheep business. Major Reybold is consider- 

 ed the " Field Marshal." He and one of his 

 sons sliippcd 500 baskets of peaches in one 

 day. Previous to the first of September he had 

 shipped upwards of 1600 baskets. Mr. Jones's 

 exposition was without flourish and to the 

 point — calculated to make a strong impression 

 as to the capacities of little Delaw\Tre and the 

 industi*y and energy of lier sons. Many might 

 make more dazzling addressees, and talk more 

 about Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden, 

 and the Emperor of China taking the handles 

 of the plow, and about Columella and Virgil, 



