46 BULLETIN 1005, U„ S. DEPAKTMEXT OF AaEICULTURE. 
AGRICULTURAL POPULATION. 
The white population of the Eastern Shore is almost exclusively 
o'f English descent. The region was settled during the first third of 
the 17th centuiy 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. 
Manufactuiing 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 emplo}Tnents 
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 ^vithin 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 sm^face. 
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 b}' 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 ^\T.nding estuaries 
or embayments. The land areas are usually flat topped and of low 
altitude. Several large and small islands of low elevation frmge 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 3'ards 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. 
