QUEENS COUNTY 



Queens County lies in the western part of Long Island and was 

 one of the first counties of the state, being formed in 1683. At that 

 time Kings was named in honor of Charles II, and Queens in honor 

 of his wife Katherine. 



When first visited by Europeans, Queens County was well 

 wooded, and in selling land to the early settlers the Indians at 

 Jamaica stipulated that the whites should not cut down trees 

 " wherein eagles do make their nests." As in other sections, how- 

 ever, the progress of civilization has seen the gradual destruction of 

 forests. Timber was needed for building and manufacturing pur- 

 poses, and immense quantities of wood were sent to New York, 

 where it was the chief fuel until the introduction of anthracite coal 

 at about 1825. The destruction of the native growth of timber 

 gave rise to the nursery business, which has grown to remarkable 

 dimensions. Among the large growers of ornamental trees are the 

 Bloodgood Nurseries at Flushing and those of the Cottage Garden 

 Company. 



More than two centuries ago Queens County was famous 

 throughout the colonies and even in England for its race courses 

 at New Market and Beaver Pond. 



In the early part of the eighteenth century the northwestern 

 part of this county, then the township of Newtown, contained 

 excellent orchards of apples, pears, and peaches. The well-known 

 Newtown Pippin was one of the important products. Wheat was 

 the favorite crop, but enough rye, barley, corn, hemp, flax, and 

 tobacco were raised for home consumption, besides a variety of 

 fruits and vegetables. Much land was given over to grazing, for 

 the farmers also raised a considerable number of horses, cattle, 

 and sheep from breeds originally brought from England and 

 Holland. 



The growth of New York and Brooklyn led to frequent changes 



in agricultural methods and products. About fifty years ago this 



county was the scene of a large market garden industry. As the 



city of New York extended its boundaries the growers were 



19 1577] 



