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Peach acreage in New Castle & Kent, Del.

In a letter from Dover, Del. dated March
20, 1888, J. Alexander Fulton, say he is
unable to tell even approximately how many
trees were in New Castle Co. in 1870, but 
refers me to three souces of information:
1. U.S. Census 1870
2. J. N. Mills, Supt. Del. R.R. Clayton, Del.
3. E. R. Cochran, Esq. Middletown, Del.

He does not know how many there were in 1887,
but says: "My impression is that there is not
more than twenty per cent as many now as in
1870."

"In regard to how may trees we now have 
growing in Kent in can only guess; but I think
I am safe in saying we have 50,000 acres
set.  Of course many of these are not yet in
bearing."

copy
Dover, Del. March 27, 1888.

Dear Sir:  In reply to your favor, would suppose we
had in New Castle Co. in 1870 about 500,000 peach trees.
The most of the orchards were in our county, between
Duck Creek Hundred and Middletown,
Smyrna being in Kent Co.

Our trees in New Castle Co. in 1887
would not number more than 250,000.

Very Resp'y [Respectfully]

B. J. Biggs.
[Gov. of Delaware]

To E.F. Smith, Esqr.
        