USA > New Jersey > The New Jersey coast in three centuries; history of the New Jersey coast with genealogical and historic-biographical appendix, Vol. I > Part 41
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The ownership of 9.708 of the 10,355 rented farms was ascertained by the enumerators. That of 647 was not reported. Titles to the 9,708 farms are vested in 8,680 owners, an average of approximately 112 farms to every 100 owners. Of these 8,680 owners or landlords, 7,974 possess one farm each. The remaining 706 hold titles to from 2 to 13 farms each, as follows : 542, 2 ; 93, 3 ; 28, 4; 23, 5; IT, 6; 4, 7; 2, 8; I, IO; I, II ; and 1, 13.
There are 205 landlords who possess rented farms with a total value per owner of $25,000 or over. They have, in the aggregate, 419 farms, worth $8,675, 108, an average valuation per owner of $42,318. Of these landlords, 136 own one rented farm each, while the remaining 69 possess 283 rented farms, or an average of approximately four farms each.
There are 1,003 landlords who possess rented farms with a total value per owner of between $10,000 and $25,000. They have 1,397 farms, worth $13,230,985, an average valuation per owner of $13,191. Of these landlords, 742 have but one rented farm each, while the remaining 261 possess 655 rented farms, or an average of 2.5 farms each.
The landlords owning rented farms with avaluation of $25,,000 or over constitute one in every 164 farm owners in the State, while those whose rented farms have a valuation of between $10,000 and $25,000 per owner constitute one in every 33 farm owners. The latter ratio indicates the relative number of farm owners whose incomes from rented farms are sufficient to support them in comfort, while the former ratio shows the relative number who receive comparatively large incomes from the same source.
Of the 8,680 owners of rented farms, 7,587 reside in New Jersey. They own 8,606 farms, of which 7,191 are located in the same county in which the owner resides. Of the non-resident owners, 1,020 live in the North Atlantic States, 30 in the South Atlantic States, 20 in the North
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Central States, 15 in the Western States, 4 in the South Central States, and 4 in foreign countries.
The value of the farms owned by colored farmers, including imple- ments, machinery and live stock, together with the value of the implements, machinery and live stock upon the farms which other colored farmers operate as tenants, is $452,895. This amount is doubtless somewhat in excess of the actual wealth of the colored farmers of New Jersey, as it is improbable that the colored tenants own all of the machinery and live stock on the farms which they operate.
Of the 73 farms containing 1,000 acres each or over, 26 are operated by "owners," 2 by "part owners," 24 by "managers," 13 by "cash-tenants," 7 by "share-tenants," and I by "owner and tenant."
Farms conducted by owners have the smallest average area, 68.7 acres, and those conducted by managers the largest, 290.7 acres. Many of the farms operated by managers are adjuncts of public institutions, while others are conducted for wealthy individuals in connection with their summer homes. These farms are, as a rule, favorably located and highly improved, and the average values of their several forms of farm property are much larger than for any other class of farms grouped by tenure. The ratio · which the gross income of these farms bears to the total value of farm prop- erty is, however, smaller than for the other groups. This is due to the high average valuation of the farm property, and to the fact that many of these farms are not cultivated for profit.
The average gross incomes per acre for the various groups classified by area are as follows : Farms under 3 acres, $772 ; 3 to 9 acres, $89; 10 to 19 acres, $35 ; 20 to 49 acres, $21 ; 50 to 99 acres, $14; 100 to 174 acres, $II ; 175 to 259 acres, $9 ; 260 to 499 acres, $7 ; 500 to 999 acres, $6; 1,000 acres and over, $0.89.
The total value of all live stock on farms, June 1, 1900, was $17,612,- 620. Of this amount the value of horses constituted 43.0 per cent. ; dairy COWS, 33.2 per cent. ; other neat cattle, 7.7 per cent. ; poultry, 7.4 per cent. ; swine, 5.3 per cent .; sheep, I.I per cent .; and all other live stock. 2.3 per cent. Colts under one year have a higher average value than horses over two years. This is due to the fact that New Jersey contains several very extensive stock farms devoted exclusively to the breeding and training of horses for track purposes.
No report was secured of the value of live stock not on farms, but it is probable that such animals have higher average value than those on farms. Allowing the same averages, the total value of all live stock in the State, exclusive of poultry and bees not on farms, is approximately $25,199,000. The number of dairy cows is 4,169 less than that reported
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in 1890. The number reported in 1900, however, is exclusive of 7,977 "cows not kept for milk," many of which were doubtless milch cows dry at the time of enumeration. Tlie 39,685 calves reported in 1900 are in- cluded with "other neat cattle." It is uncertain whether calves were in- cluded under this head in the reports for previous census years. If not, they should be deducted from the total given for 1900 in making comparisons with previous reports. A) nearly continuous decrease since 1860 would then be shown in the number of "other neat cattle."
The present census shows 47.0 per cent. more horses than were re- ported in 1850. The increase has been nearly continuous, but especially marked in the last decade, when it amounted to 8.2 per cent .. Mules and asses increased steadily in number from 1850 to 1880, when a decline began. The report for 1900 shows 40.I per cent. fewer mules and asses than were reported ten years before. The number of sheep has decreased steadily since 1850, and in the last twenty years at a very rapid rate, the present number being less than one-half the number reported in 1890. No regular movement is shown in the number of swine reported at the various decennial periods, but the general tendency since 1850 has been downward. There was a decrease of 21.8 per cent. in the last decade.
In comparing the poultry report for 1900 with that for 1890, it should be borne in mind that in 1900 the enumerators were instructed not to report fowls less than three months old, while in 1890 no such limitation was made. This fact explains, to a great extent, the decrease shown in the number of fowls of all kinds. Compared with the figures for 1890, the present census shows decreases in the number of fowls as follows : Chickens .. 33.3 per cent. ; geese, 48.4 per cent .; ducks, 64.8 per cent .; and turkeys, 80.0 per cent.
The value of animal products in 1899 was $15,740,688, or 36.1 per cent. of the value of all farm products and 44.9 per cent. of the gross farm income. Of the above amount 53.6 per cent. represents the value of dairy products ; 19.3 per cent. that of animals sold and slaughtered on farms : 26.7 per cent. that of poultry and eggs; and 0.4 per cent. that of wool, honey and wax.
The steady growth of the city population and the increasing popularity of Atlantic coast resorts have largely increased the demand for dairy pro- duce in New Jersey. The present importance of the industry is shown by the fact that in 1899 the proprietors of 5.959 farms, or 17.2 per cent. of the farms of the State, derived their principal income from dairy produce, the total value of which constituted over one-half that of all animal products, and 24.I per cent. of the gross farm income. The production of milk in 1899 was 13.710,102 gallons greater than in 1889, a gain of 21.4 per cent.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
The quantity of milk sold was 50,726,011 gallons. The milk sold in 1889 was not separately reported, but since 1879 there has been a gain of 35,- 253,228 gallons, or 227.8 per cent., the quantity having more than doubled in every county except Atlantic, Middlesex and Union.
Of the $8,436,869 given as the value of all dairy products in 1899, $1,265,980, or 15.0 per cent., represents the value of such products con- sumed on farms, and $7,170,889, or 85.0 per cent., the amount realized from sales. Of the latter sum, $6,318,568 was derived from the sale of 50,726,01I gallons of milk; $818,624 from 3,748,489 pounds of butter ; $31,508 from 35,986 gallons of cream; and $2,189 from 20,909 pounds of cheese.
In 1879 9,513,835 pounds of butter were made on farms; in 1889, 8,367,218 pounds; and in 1899 but 5,894,363 pounds. This decrease is due principally to the transfer of butter making from the farm to the creamery, and to the increase in the quantity of milk and cream consumed in cities.
Of the $4,204,120 given as the total value of the products of the poultry industry, 46.1 per cent. represents the value of eggs, and 53.9 per cent. that of poultry raised. The total number of dozens of eggs produced in 1879 was 6,686,142 ; in 1889, 8,031,571 ; and in 1899, 11,942,550. The increase in the last decade, amounting to 48.7 per cent, tends to confirm the state- ment that the reported decrease in the number of chickens is more apparent than real.
The raising of sheep is confined almost entirely to the northwestern part of the State, the five counties of Warren, Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex and Somerset having reported more than three-fourths of the total produc- tion of wool in 1899. The clip has decreased almost constantly for more than fifty years, and in 1899 was 60.9 per cent. less than in 1849.
In 1889 160,310 pounds of honey and 3,381 pounds of wax were reported, while in 1899 the production of honey was 174,250 pounds, and of wax, 7,640. In both years the greater portion of the product was re- ported from Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex and Warren counties.
Vegetables, including potatoes, sweet potatoes and onions, contributed 30.2 per cent. of the total value of crops ; cereals, 24.8 per cent; hay and forage, 19.9 per cent .; fruits, 14.6 per cent. ; flowers, plants, nursery pro- ducts and seeds, 8.4 per cent. ; and all others, 2.1 per cent.
The average yield per acre of hay and forage was 1.2 tons, and the average values $10.22 per ton and $12.47 per acre. The acreage devoted to hay and forage was 34.3 per cent. of the total acreage in crops, but yielded only 19.9 per cent. of the total receipts. The average values per acre of other crops were as follows: Flowers and plants, $3, 181.25 ; nur-
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
sery products, $190.76; miscellaneous vegetables, $63.91 ; sweet potatoes, $58.92 ; small fruits, $55.42; potatoes, $41.45 ; orchard fruits, $32.18; and cereals, $11.78. The crops yielding the highest average returns per acre were grown on land in a very high state of improvement. Their produc- tion requires a relatively large amount of labor, and, in addition, large expenditures for fertilizers.
The total area devoted to cereals in 1899 was 538,853 acres ; in 1889, 601,357 acres; and in 1879, 773,375 acres. For the period 1879 to 1899 the percentages of decrease in acreage for the principal grains are as fol- lows: Buckwheat, 55.4; oats, 44.7 ; rve, 35.0; corn, 14.3; and wheat, 11.5. The decrease in the last decade is confined to oats and rye, the other grains having larger acreages in 1899 than in 1889. With the exception of corn. which is a staple crop throughout the State, and wheat, which is grown in all the western counties, cereal production is at present confined almost entirely to the northwestern counties.
The 295,258 acres given as the area devoted to corn in 1899, is ex- clusive of 24,628 acres of corn, non-saccharine sorghum, and similar crops grown for forage or ensilage.
New Jersey is one of the few Eastern States in which the production of cereals is not rapidly decreasing. While the production of oats, rye, barley and buckwheat is less than in 1849, this loss has been nearly offset by the increased production of corn and wheat, so that the net decrease in total cereal production has been only 326,486 bushels, or 2.1 per cent. The recent increase in the acreage devoted to corn is believed to be closely related to the growth of dairying.
Of the farmers of the State, 23,998, or 69.3 per cent., reported orchard fruits in 1899. The value of orchard products was not reported by the census of 1890, but in 1879 the total value of such products was $860,090. For 1899 the corresponding value is $2,594.981, a gain in twenty years of 201.7 per cent.
The most noteworthy changes between 1890 and 1900 are an increase of 38.2 per cent. in the number of apple trees, and a decrease of 37.8 per cent. in the number of peach trees. In 1890 21.7 per cent. of all fruit trees in the State were apple trees, and 73.0 per cent. were peach trees, while in 1900 the corresponding percentages are 32.1 and 48.6, respectively. The number of apple trees increased in every county except Cumberland, the largest relative increases being in Ocean, Union and Salem counties.
The peach growing industry is largely confined to the five northwestern counties of Hunterdon, Sussex, Morris, Somerset and Warren, which re- ported, in 1899, 74.4 per cent. of all the peach trees in the State. The marked decrease in the number of trees in Hunterdon, Somerset and Cum-
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berland counties during the last decade is due largely to the ravages of the yellows. In the aggregate these three counties sustained a loss of 1,549,- 806 peach trees, or 93.0 per cent. of the total loss of 1,666,961 trees re- ported for the State. Hunterdon county alone lost 1,026,941 trees. The counties in the extreme northern part of the State and along the south- eastern coast report more trees than in 1890.
There has been a large increase in the number of pear trees in almost every county of the State. The gain in most cases is the result of the extensive introduction of Kieffer pears. Burlington, Cumberland, Glouces- ter, Monmouth and Sussex are the leading pear-growing counties, and re- port the largest gains for the decade.
The number of cherry trees increased 150.8 per cent., Monmouth being the only county to report a decrease. An increase of 829.0 per cent. in number of plum and prune trees was distributed among all the counties.
Unclassified orchard trees to the number of 17,829 are reported, with a yield of 8,947 bushels of fruit. The value of orchard products includes the value of 28,902 barrels of cider, 6,276 barrels of vinegar, and 14,860 pounds of dried and evaporated fruits.
The quantity of fruit produced in any year is determined largely by the nature of the season. Comparisons between the crop of 1889 and that of 1899 have little significance, because in the former year there was an almost complete failure of all fruits except peaches.
Grapes were grown by 3,604 farmers, who obtained, in 1899, 42,350 centals of fruit from 1, 199,859 vines. The total value of the grapes grown, including the value of 123,454 gallons of wine made on farms, was $81,- 758. Atlantic and Cumberland are the leading counties in the cultivation . of grapes, reporting in 1900 more than one-half of the vines of the State. In these two counties there has been a marked increase since 1890 in the number of vines.
The value of the vegetables grown in 1899, including potatoes, sweet potatoes and onions, was $8,425,596, of which amount 26.0 per cent. repre- sents the value of potatoes and 14.4 per cent. the value of sweet potatoes. Aside from the land devoted to potatoes, sweet potatoes and onions, 76,- 897 acres were used in the growing of miscellaneous vegetables. Of this area 15,426 acres were included in family gardens or farms, the vegetable products of which were not reported in detail. Of the 61,471 acres coll- cerning which detailed reports were received, 25,332 were devoted to tomatoes ; 11,646 to sweet corn; 6,548 to muskmelons, citrons, etc .; 5,12I to cabbages; 4,040 to watermelons; 2,089 to asparagus; 1,822 to green peas; 1.460 to green beans; 1,314 to cucumbers; and 2,099 to other vegetables.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
The total area used in the cultivation of small fruits in 1899 was 25,- 37I acres, distributed among 10,342 farms. The value of the fruits grown was $1,406,049, an average of $136 per farm. Of the total area, 8,746 acres, or 34.5 per cent., were devoted to strawberries. The total produc- tion for the State was 13,274, 120 quarts, of which about one-third was re- ported by Cumberland county. Next in importance are cranberries, of which 8,356 acres were reported, or 32.9 per cent. of the total area used for small fruits. The raising of cranberries is confined almost entirely to the southern counties, Burlington reporting the largest crop. The total production for the State was 240,221 bushels.
The acreage and production of other berries were as follows: Black- berries and dewberries, 5,254 acres and 3,918,320 quarts; currants, 161 acres and 264,740 quarts; raspberries and Logan berries, 2,240 acres and 2,506,730 quarts; gooseberries, 104 acres and 124, 160 quarts; and other berries, 510 acres and 564,160 quarts.
In the raising of flowers and foliage plants New Jersey is surpassed by few States. In 1899 the proprietors of 630 establishments reported flowers and foliage plants grown for the market valued at $1,953,290. Of these proprietors, 494 made commercial floriculture their principal business, grow- ing, in 1899, flowers and plants worth $1,893,839 and others products worth $66,719. They used 3,061 acres of land, valued at $2, 174,865. The value of their buildings, including greenhouses, was $2,458,240, and in addition they had $156,429 invested in implements and $35,912 in live stock, making a total investment of $4,825,446. Their expenditures for labor in 1899 were $400,382, and for fertilizers, $48,334.
The comparatively large area of land under glass, 11, 190,251 square feet, is due to the fact that many truck farmers use glass in growing early vegetables for the New York and Philadelphia markets. The 494 com- mercial florists report 6,195,903 square feet of glass surface, equivalent to 4,646;927 square feet of land under glass. In addition there are 1,651 farmers who report a total area under glass of 6,543,324 square feet.
Nursery products of a total value of $339,926 were grown upon 142 farms. The proprietors of these farms made the growing of nursery pro- ducts for market their sole or principal business, and derived therefrom in 1899 a total gross income of $292,153. They also sold or consumed $53,- 175 worth of other products.
The total expenditure for labor on farms in 1899, including the value of board furnished, was $6,720,030, an average of $194 per farm. The average was highest on the most intensively cultivated farms, having been $1,405 for nurseries, $810 for florists' establishments, $264 for dairy farms, $219 for market gardens, $200 for fruit farms, $162 for hay and grain
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farms, and $112 for live-stock farms. "Managers" expended on an aver- age, $641 ; "owners," $170; "cash-tenants," $186; and "share-tenants," $201 per farm. White farmers expended $196 per farm, and colored farmers $56.
Fertilizers purchased in 1899 cost $2,165,320, an average of $62 per farm, and an increase since 1890 of 17.8 per cent. The average ex- penditure was greatest for nurseries and least for live-stock farms, the amounts being $182 and $33, respectively. For vegetable farms the aver- age was $124; for florists' establishments, $98; for fruit farms, $57; for dairy farms, $43; and for hay and grain farms, $50.
Irrigation was reported on 8 farms in 1899. . Of the 73 acres irrigated, 69 acres were devoted to crops, as follows : Hay, 26 acres ; vegetables, 20 acres ; corn, 13 acres ; celery, 6 acres ; seeds, 4 acres. The total value of the crops produced was $8,720, an average of $126 per acre.
The average value per acre of irrigated land was $155. The total capital invested in irrigation plants was $2,831, and the average cost of irrigating was $36 per acre.
THE COAST COUNTIES.
The soil of Monmouth county, in a high state of cultivation, produces equal with the best counties in the State. Marl, a mineral fertilizer, abounds, and was extensively used years ago and advanced the agricultural. productions to a high standard which has not been lowered. Grain, grass, fruits and vegetables grow luxuriantly. The nature of the soil is especially adapted to growing potatoes, and thousands of barrels are shipped annually to New York and other markets. Among the vegetables, asparagus is an important crop-near the northern coast large areas are planted, and the returns range from $200 to $500 per acre in favorable seasons. Tomatoes are largely grown, both for shipping and canning. The nature of the soil produces a superior quality, which commands the highest price.
The canning business is carried on quite extensively ; at Freehold one firm uses the product of 1,400 acres, chiefly peas and Lima beans.
Ths county also leads in the growing of the Kieffer and other varieties. of pears, yielding bountiful returns when intelligently handled. Dairying is increasing, the summer resorts consuming large quantities of milk.
In Ocean county, during the past two decades-more interest has been taken in agricultural pursuits than formerly. Corn is the leading cereal crop, being used for feeding domestic animals and poultry. In the vicinity
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
of Toms River and Island Heights, Manahawkin and New Egypt, are excel- lent farming lands, and dairying as well as general farming is followed.
Small fruits and berries, with the usual field and garden vegetables, are extensively grown. Clearings in the natural pine forest, which afford protection, and a warm, dry soil, give special advantages for growing early crops. Cranberries are produced to some extent, and huckleberries grow in profusion and are a market crop of much value.
Atlantic City has proven a great stimulus to the agricultural interests of Atlantic county, creating such a demand for small fruits, vegetables and poultry products that thousands of acres have been cleared, which are occu- pied by a thrifty and industrious population, and parts of the once so-called sandy desert now afford a comfortable livelihood for willing workers.
Dairying, almost unknown in this county a few decades ago, is increas- ing, but is unable to supply the demands in the summer season, and the popular resorts continue to receive milk from more distant points. Poultry- raising is also increasing.
Grape-culture has for years been extensively followed, and many thou- sand gallons of excellent wine are made annually, beside the large quantity of grapes sold. Here, also, berries of different varieties flourish. Straw- berries lead, yet raspberries and blackberries are grown in large quantities for the home and city markets. The cranberry, in some localities, is a staple crop. Apples and pears, with proper cultivation, thrive well. Po- tatoes, both white and sweet, are extensively grown, the sweets being a leading crop. Tomatoes are grown to supply the several large canning establishments within the county.
The soil of Cape May county is mostly sand and sandy loam, and, where the latter is found, agriculture has, during recent years, made com- mendable advancement. Grain crops are not grown extensively, but forage crops, as crimson clover, cow peas and the millets, do well, and are grown for dairy and soiling purposes. Much of the soil is well adapted to market- gardening crops, and the nearby markets and excellent transportation facil- ities to Philadelphia and other cities afford encouragement for greater agri- cultural enterprise.
In these and contiguous counties are large tracts of land still uncleared, or covered with brushwood, and which are adapted to tillage and capable of producing large crops of small fruits and market-garden vegetables. The wood on them is mainly oak. with some pitch pine and yellow pine, and hence they are called oak lands to distinguish them from the more sandly
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· HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
lands and tracts on which the pitch pine grows almost exclusively. The latter are known as pine lands. The soils of these tracts are sandy and not naturally so rich and fertile as the more heavy clay soils of the lime- stone, the red shale and the marl. districts of the State, but they are not so sandy and so coarse-grained as to be non-productive, as is the case with some of the pine land areas. The latter are often deficient in plant-food and are deservedly characterized as "Pine Barrens," and are too poor for farm purposes. The growth of the wood (oak and pine ), as well as chemi- cal analyses, shows that the oak land soils contain the elements of plant production. They are not so well suited to pasturage or to continuous cropping as naturally rich virgin soils, hence they are better fitted for rais- ing vegetables, melons, sweet potatoes, small fruits, peaches and pears, than wheat, corn, hay and other farm staples. The eminent superiority of this kind of farming in New Jersey over the old routine of wheat, hay, corn and potatoes is so well known that it is useless to do more than refer to the fact. The profitable farming is now in raising those crops which can be produced on these South Jersey soils. The success at Hammon- ton, Egg Harbor City, Vineland and other places is notable, and equally good results are to be had at a hundred or more places as well situated as they are. These lands are sold at a merely nominal figure, and the set- tler saves in capital and interest account. They are easily cleared of brush- wood or standing timber, and the wood is salable in all this part of the State at remunerative prices, often producing a larger return than the original cost of the land. The soil is easily cultivated, and throughout most of the year it is possible to work it. The long working season and the short and mild winter favors the arrangement of work so that all is done with the least outlay for help.
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