46 BULLETIN 1005, U„ S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



AGRICULTURAL POPULATION. 



The white population of the Eastern Shore is almost exclusively 

 of English descent. The region was settled during the first third of 

 the 17th century by English colonists, and their descendants com- 

 prise the greater part of the present population. In addition, there 

 is a considerable negro population, chiefly engaged in farm labor. 



The region possesses no large cities but is closely dotted with small 

 towns and villages on the water courses and along the railroad. 

 Manufacturing is of decidedly subordinate importance, agriculture 

 and fisheries dominating the industry of the locality. It may almost 

 be said that every inhabitant of the two counties is more or less 

 directly interested in agriculture, as the secondary employments 

 largely contribute in some form to the conduct of agricultural 

 operations. 



PHYSICAL FEATURES. 



The Eastern Shore of Virginia is a long, low peninsula, extending 

 southward from the Maryland line for a distance of 75 miles to the 

 extremity at Cape Charles. The highest elevations within the area 

 do not exceed 50 feet, while the greater part of the area lies at alti- 

 tudes between 35 feet and actual tide level. In spite of these narrow 

 ranges in altitude, there are several rather distinct divisions of surface. 



The coast line along the Atlantic Ocean consists of a series of long, 

 narrow islands forming a barrier between the ocean and the continu- 

 ous mainland. These islands are occupied by ranges and masses of 

 sand dunes, with marshes and glades. They are usually separated 

 from the mainland by broad stretches of salt marsh or by shallow 

 tidewater lagoons or by both. In some cases the sand-dune area 

 abuts directly upon the mainland. 



The greater part of the Chesapeake Bay foreland is formed by long, 

 narrow peninsulas or "river necks," separated by winding estuaries 

 or embayments. The land areas are usually flat topped and of low 

 altitude. Several large and small islands of low elevation fringe this 

 shore. Along the southern end of this border there are also present 

 some sand-dune areas, particularly from Cape Charles City southward. 



A similar but not very distinct zone of low forelands borders the 

 larger estuaries and tidal embayments of the central portion of the 

 eastern coast line. 



The remainder of the mainland consists of a nearly level to gently 

 undulating upland, relieved only by low ridges, which range from a 

 few yards to 500 or 600 feet in width. The eastern and western bor- 

 ders of this upland are roughly marked by the courses of the Seaside 

 and Bayside highways, respectively. Topographically there is an 

 escarpment of gentle slope and low elevation which is marked on the 

 western side and obscure or even lacking on the eastern border of this 

 upland. 



