USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 102
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198 | Part 199 | Part 200 | Part 201 | Part 202 | Part 203 | Part 204 | Part 205 | Part 206 | Part 207 | Part 208 | Part 209 | Part 210 | Part 211 | Part 212 | Part 213 | Part 214 | Part 215 | Part 216 | Part 217 | Part 218 | Part 219 | Part 220 | Part 221 | Part 222 | Part 223 | Part 224 | Part 225 | Part 226 | Part 227 | Part 228 | Part 229 | Part 230 | Part 231 | Part 232 | Part 233 | Part 234 | Part 235 | Part 236 | Part 237 | Part 238 | Part 239 | Part 240 | Part 241 | Part 242 | Part 243 | Part 244 | Part 245 | Part 246 | Part 247 | Part 248 | Part 249 | Part 250 | Part 251 | Part 252 | Part 253 | Part 254 | Part 255 | Part 256 | Part 257 | Part 258 | Part 259 | Part 260 | Part 261 | Part 262 | Part 263 | Part 264 | Part 265 | Part 266 | Part 267 | Part 268 | Part 269 | Part 270 | Part 271 | Part 272 | Part 273
Birds .- While perhaps one-third of our various species of birds have diminished, we do not doubt but in this county the balance are increasing. In the lower townships, the planting of groves and numerous evergreen trees in and around lawns, and by lanes and roadsides, has greatly tended to promote their augmentation by affording them additional shelter and security. The turkey-buzzard, strange to say, has become more numerous. In October, 1881, in Horsham township, the writer saw three flying to- gether, and was informed that it was no unusual circumstance in that vicinity. The Hon. I. F. Yost, of New Hanover, stated that he had recently seen as many as forty or more at one time in that township. It is doubtful whether the hawk tribe has diminished. Both the golden and bald eagle are repeatedly shot over the county. We have kept a partial record of those that have been shot or captured within a dis- tance of three miles of the Willow Grove during the last thirty-five years, and the number is above twenty ; nearly one-third being of the former species. They are mentioned in books as being rare and only seen in Pennsylvania during the winter. From our record we find that nearly all were secured in the month of May. That eagles sometimes breed in Montgomery County is very probable. In the spring of 1852, a pair were seen daily around the sunmit of the high hill to the east of Willow Grove for above a month. The male bird was shot the 31st of May by William Thomas, after which the female disappeared. The supposition is strong that they had a nest somewhere in the woods of that vicinity. The fish-hawk still abounds and rears its young along the Perkiomen, below Schwenksville, to the Schuylkill. A great horned owl was captured a mile from Jenkintown within the past three years. The common red-headed wood- pecker is now almost an entire stranger in the lower half of the county. Wild pigeons are still occasionally
437
ZOOLOGY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
found on the hills of New Hanover, Upper Hanover, Upper Salford and Marlborough, and no doubt still breed there. The pheasant or ruffed grouse still abounds on the hills of the aforesaid townships, and Upper Merion. It has only recently disappeared in Lower Merion, and is now becoming scaree along Edge Hill, in Moreland and Abington, where it was common forty years ago. The loon or great northern diver is still occasionally shot along the Schuylkill and Perkiomen during the winter. A pelican was shot on the Schuylkill, within a mile of Pottstown, in 1880. A. pair of summer or wood ducks attempted to breed near a dam in Moreland township, about thirty years ago, but, unfortunately, were both shot by a young man in the neighborhood, thus indicating that they may even yet rear broods here. The crow is still abundant, and very destructive to the young and the eggs of our most useful birds. Bounties for their heads, as well as for the heads of the hawk tribe, should be continued, as the laws thereon have not been repealed. The English sparrow, introduced since 1860, has multiplied rapidly and spread over the county, keeping chiefly in flocks in our larger towns and villages. It has to some extent driven away from their usual haunts some of our more useful birds, as the wren, bluebird, and even the robin.
I'ATALOGUE.
1. Turkey buzzard (Amalachipuis, Z.), not common.
2. Duck-hawk, occasionally seen along the Schuylkill.
3. Pigeon hawk, occasionally ; more frequent in winter,
4. Sparrow hawk, common.
5. Goshawk, occasionally in winter ; from the north.
6. Cooper's hawk, common.
7. Sharp-shinord hawk, common.
8. Red-tailed hawk, cornnon.
9. Red-shouldered hawk, common.
10. Broad-winged hawk, frequent in fall and winter.
11. Rough-legged hawk, common in winter.
12. Black hawk, occasionally seen.
13. Marsh hawk, common along Schuylkill and Perkiomen.
14. Golden eagle, occasionally ; most commoo in May.
15. Bald eagle ( Woapalenne, Z. ), most common in May.
16. Fish hawk (Vimenees, Z.), along Schuylkill and Perkiomen.
17. Barn, or white owl, occasionally seen.
18. Great horned owl (Gokhoos, Z.), Qut uncommon and resident.
19. Screech owl, commun at places.
20. Loog-eared owl, occasionally ; chiefly in winter.
21. Short-enred owl, frequent in winter along strennis.
22. Gray, or barred owl, common in winter.
23. Little owl, occasionally in winter.
24. Snow owl, occasionally, only in winter ; a visitor from the far north.
25. Yellow-billed cuckoo, cooimon ; building in orchards.
26. Black-billed cuckoo, common.
27. Hairy woodpecker, occasionally scen.
28. Downy woodpecker, or sapsucker, common.
2 !. Red-cockaded woodpecker, rare.
30. Yellow-billed woodpecker, occasionally seen.
31. Great black woodpecker, or log-cock, rare; only in a few of the upper townships.
32. Red-bellied woodpecker, occasionally seen.
33. Red-headed woodpecker (Memukocheus, Z.), common in some of the upper townships.
34. Flicker or goblen-winged woodpecker, common.
35. Humming-bird, common during the summer.
36. Chimney swallow, abundant.
37. Barn swallow, common.
38. Cliff swallow, common at places ; Imibling muler the caves.
39. White-bellied swallow, common.
40. Bank swallow, occasionally along the Schuylkill.
41. Rongh-winged swallow, occasionally seen.
42. Purple martin, abundant at places ; building in boxes.
43. Whip-poor-will ( Wecoolis, Z.), common at place -.
44. Night bawk ( Pischk, Z.), common.
45. Kingfisber ( Tiskem innis, Z.), frequent along stream".
46. King-bird ( Suchem or Sagumore, W.), common.
47. Great-crested flycatcher, common.
48. Pewee, a rommon and favorite bird.
19. Wood pewer, common.
50. Olive flycatcher, rare.
51. Traill's flycatcher, occasionally seen.
52. Small flycatcher, common.
53. Green-crested flycatcher, frequent.
54. Robin (Techisgochne, Z.), abundant ; sometimes coming over winter.
55. Wood thrush, common; a favorite songster.
56. Wilson's thrush, connnon.
57. Hermit thrush, common.
58. Olive-backed thrush, perasionally sen.
59. Blue bird ( Tschiumales, Z.), a common favorite
60. linby-crowned wren, common in spring and autunin.
HI. Gulden-crested wren, common in spring and aummin.
62. Titlark, or pipit, frequent in winter.
63. Black-and-white creeper, common.
64. Blue yellow-backed warbler, common.
65. Maryland yellow-throat, common.
66. Coonectient warbler, occasionally surn.
67. Morning warbler, occasionally sten,
68. Kentucky warbler, rare.
69. Yellow-breasted chat, occasionally sren.
70. Worm-eating warbler, common in spring and antonin.
71. Blue-winged yellow warbler, common.
72. Golden-winged warbler. occasionally sven.
73. Nashville warbler, occasionally in spring and autumn.
74. Tennessee warbler, rare.
75. Golden-crowned thrush, common ; building on the ground in words,
7. Water thrush, cominon.
77. Large-billed water thrush, rare.
78. Black-throated green warbler, verasionally seen in spring aml antninn.
79. Black-throated blute warbler, common in spring and autumn.
80. Yellow-rumped warbler, common in spring and autumn.
81. Blackburn warbler, common in spring and antunm.
82. Bay-breasted warbler, occasionally seen in spring and antumn.
×3. Pine-creeping warbler, common in spring and antunin
84. Chestnut-sideil warbler, frequent in spring and antiun.
85. Blue warlder, frequent in spring and antunm.
86. Black-polled wa-bler, frequent in spring and antnman.
87. Summer yellow bird, conimon ; builling in orchards.
88. Black and yellow warbler, common in spring and antumh.
89. Cape May warbler, occasionally seen in spring and antumn.
00. Red-poll warbler, common in spring and autumn.
91. Yellow-throated warbler, occasionally seen in spring and antian.
92. Prairie warbler, rare ; only in spring or autumn.
93. Hooded warbler, occasionally seen in spring and antil.
14. Black-cap flycatcher, frequent in spring and antumn.
95. Canada flycatcher, frequent in spring and autumn.
96. Redstart, common in spring.
07. Scarlet tanager, common ; partial to wouds.
98, Cedar-bird, common : building in orchards.
99. Wax-wing, rare.
100. Great shrike or butcher-bin, occasionally seen.
101. Red-eyed flycatcher, comnion.
102. Warbling flycatcher, commiun.
103. White flycatcher, common.
104. Blue-headed flycatcher, commun.
105. Yellow-throated flycatcher, common.
106. Catbird, common ; partial to low grounds.
107. Brown thrush, or thrasher, common ; frequents thickets.
108. Great Carolina wren, occasionally sven.
100. Bewick's wren, rare.
110). Long-billed marsh wren, common along the Schuylkill.
111. House wren, common.
112. Wood wren, rare.
113. Winter wren, common in winter ; frequents mmt-lmillings
114. Gray creeper, frequent in winter.
-
438
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
115. White-belbed nuthatch, or sapsurker, frequent in winter.
116. Red-bellied nuthatch, frequent in winter.
117. Blue-gray flycatcher, occasionally seen.
118. Tufted titmonse, commun.
119. Black-cap titmouse (chickadee), frequent in winter.
120. Summer red-bird, occasionally seen.
121. Shore lark (skylark), frequent in winter.
122. Pine grossbeak, occasionally seen in winter.
123. Purple finch, frequent during spring ; migratory.
124. Yellow bird, thistle, or salad bird ; common : frequently in flocks.
125. Siskin or pine fiocb, rare.
126. Red crossbill, in small flocks every winter.
127. White-winged crossbill, rare; only in winter.
128. Red-poll linnet, seen occasionally in early spring.
120. Snow bunting, occasionally seeo in winter only.
130. Lapland long-spur. rare and only in winter.
131. Savannah sparrow, cominon.
132. Grass sparrow, abuudant.
133. Yellow-winged sparrow, frequent.
134. White-throated sparrow, common in winter.
135. White-crowned sparrow, occasionally.
136. Snow-bird, common during winter ; migrating north in spring.
137. Tree sparrow, frequent in winter.
188. Field sparrow, connnon.
139. Chipping sparrow, abundant during summer.
140. Song sparrow, abundant ; generally remaining through the year.
141. Swamp sparrow, common along streams.
142. Lincoln's finch, rare ; sometimes seen in autumn.
143. Fox-colored sparrow, common in winter.
144. Black-throated bunting, occasionally scen.
145. Rose-breasted grossbeak, in small flocks every spring and autumn.
146. Blur grossbeak, an occasional visitor.
147. Indigo bird, common ; builds in orchards.
148. Red-hird, cardinal grossbeak ( Mehocqniman, Z.) : common in wood- lands, by streams.
149. Ground robin or cheewink, abundant.
150. Reed-bird or bobolink, common in spring.
151. Cow-bird, common in pastures ; builds no nest.
152. Red-winged blackbird ( Tst hoynali, Z.), common.
153. Meadow lark, common.
154. Orchard oriole, common ; Imilds a hanging nest.
155. Baltimore oriole, common ; builds a hanging nest.
156. Rusty blackbird, common.
157. Crow blackbird or purple grakle, abundant.
158. Crow (dhas, %.), abundant.
159. Fish crow, occasionally, along the Schuylkill.
160. Blue jay, common ; builds sometimes in orchards.
161. Wild pigeon (Amemi, Z., Animar, H.), some sensons abundant in spring and autumm.
162. Turtle dove ( Memedhukumo, Z.), rommon.
163. Ruffed grouse or pheasant (Babharku;, abounds in a few town- ships.
104. Partridge, quail, or Bob White ( Popocus, Z.), common.
165. Great blue heron or crane (Tarecka. ('., Taleku, Z.), orrasionally seeil.
166. White heron, occasionally in autumn on the Schuylkill.
167. Snow heron, occasionally found in autumn on the Schuylkill.
168. Louisiana heron, rare.
169. Blue heron, occasionally along the Schuylkill.
170. Green heron (Hy-up-the-creek), commun.
171. Night heron, rare.
172. Small bittern, common.
173. Bittern, or snake-driver, congon.
174. Gullen plover, occasionally seen in autumn.
175. Killdeer, common at places.
. 176. Black-bellied plover, occasionally seen.
177. Piping plover, occasionally sven during summer.
178. Turnstone, occasionally seen along the Schuylkill.
179. Northern phalarope, rare ; only along the Schuylkill.
180. American woodenck, common at places.
181. English or Wilson's snipe (Schwrouwihillen, Z.), common in the spring.
182. Gray snipe (Memeu), occasionally seen.
183. Red-backed sandpiper, occasionally seen along the Schuylkill.
184. Purple sandpiper, occasionally along the Schuylkill.
185. Jurk snipe ( Piscelix), occasionally along the Schuylkill.
186. Little sandpiper, occasionally along the Schuylkill.
187. Little snipe, occasionally along the Schuylkill.
188. Sanderling, occasionally along the Schuylkill.
189. Semipalmated sandpiper, occasionally along the Schuylkill.
190. Tell-tale; or stone snipe, occasionally along the Schuylkill.
191. Spotted sandpiper, occasionally along the Schuylkill.
192. Yellow-legged snipe, common along streams.
193. Solitary sandpiper, commion.
194. Field plover, connnon at places all summer.
195. Spotted goodwit, occasionally along the Schuylkill.
196. Marsh hen, or large rail, occasionally along the Schuylkill.
197. Clapper rail, occasionally along the Schuylkill.
198. Virginia rail, occasionally along larger streams.
199. Common rail, occasionally in the spring.
200. Yellow rail, occasionally seen.
201. Coot, or mod hea, occasionally seen.
202. Florida gallinule, occasionally seen. 203. American swan (Turr, C.), very rarely on the Schuylkill.
204. Canada goose (Honck, W.), occasionally seen in flocks.
205. Brant, occasionally on Schuylkill.
206. Mallard, or green head, occasionally seen.
207. Black durk, occasionally seen on the larger streams.
208. Pintail, occasionally on the Schuylkill.
209. Green-winged teal, sometimes seen in spring and antının.
210. Blue-winged teal, occasionally on the Schuylhill.
211. Spoonbill, or shoveller, occasionally on the Schuylkill.
212. Summer, or wood duck ( Quiquingus, Il. ), occasionally along streams.
213. Widgeon, occasionally along the larger strenDis.
214. Black-lead or scanp duck, occasionally in spring and antuinn on the Schuylkill.
215. Little black-head, or blue bill, occasionally seen.
216. Ring-necked duck, occasionally seen.
217. Red-head, occasionally seen.
218. Dipper, or buffit head, occasionally seen.
219. Whistle-wing, orrasionally seen.
220. Harlequin duck, occasionally seen.
221. Long-tail, occasionally seen.
222. Ruddy duck, occasionally seen.
223. Shellrake or fish duck, common on ponds and streams.
224. Red-breasted merganser, occasionally on the Schuylkill.
225. Loon, or great northern diver, occasionally during winter.
226. Pelican, very rarely on the Schuylkill.
227. Black-backed gull (Coinhqwas, S.), on the Schuylkill in winter.
228. Herring gull, on the Schuylkill in winter.
229. Black-headed gull, on the Schuylkill in winter.
230. Crested grebe, on the Schuylkill in winter.
231. Horned grebe, on the Schuylkill in winter.
232. Red-necked grebe, on the Schuylkill in winter.
Reptiles .- The removal of trees and stones in the cultivation of the soil, and the increased atten- tion paid to drainage, has had considerable to do with diminishing our larger reptiles, which are becoming scarcer. In the rocky hills of Upper Hanover, strange to say, the rattlesnake is still found, and, to a very limited extent, in Marlborough and New Hanover. There may probably be in the county about a dozen species of snakes, of which the garter and water snake are the most common. Our turtles may not exceed eight species, the frogs may number seven or eight, the lizards two and the sala- manders probably from four to six kinds.
CATALOGUE.
1. Rattlesnake ( Wischulowe, Z.), rare ; at a few places.
2. Honse snake, occasionally seen.
3. Green or grass snake (Asgakochgook, Z .. ), very rare, on Imshes.
4. Rlacksnake (Snkachgook, Z.), not counnon.
5. Ribbon snake, common.
6. Garter snake ( Mumaluchyook, Z.), common.
7. Yellow-bellied snake, rare and smal !.
8. Worm snake, rare and small.
9. Ring snake, rare aud small.
10. Water suke ( Mbiachyork, Z.), comnon.
11. Spotted, or lowing viper (Faxconnorah, %.), rare.
439
ZOOLOGY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
12. Copperhead (Mehucachgook, Z.), rare.
13. Land tortoise (Tachquoch, Z.), common.
14. Snapping-turtle ( Talpe, Z.), almost common,
15. Mud turtle, common.
16. Musk turtle, common.
17. Painted turtle, common.
18. Three-clawed turtle, occasionally seen.
19. Mnblenberg turtle, occasionally seen.
20. Spotted turtle (Geemales, S.), common.
21. Toad, abundant and useful.
22. Tree frog, common ; probably two species.
23. Bull frog (Aushunni, Z.), common.
24. Herring frog, occasionally seen.
25. Green frog (Tsquall, Z.), common.
26. Spotted, field, or garden frog, connnon and useful.
27. Wood, or marsh frog, occasionally seen.
28. Fence lizard, not common ; partial to old fences,
29. Striped lizard, rare ; about decayed wood.
30. Blotched, or marbled salamander, occasionally seen.
31. Spotted salamander, common.
32. Red salamander, common on moist grounds.
33. Black salamander, occasionally seen.
Fishes .-
1. Long-eared sun-fish, common.
2. Striped bass, occasionally seen.
3. White perch (Kakickan, C.), occasionally seen.
4. Blue-spotted sun-fish, common.
5. Barred killifish, common, small.
6. Brook trout ( Maschilamek, %.), only at pilares ; native in Sunuly Run.
7. Mud minnow, common.
8. Small minnow, common.
9. Black-banded minnow, occasionally seen.
10. l'ike ( Quequongalle, Z.), common.
11. Red fin, comnon.
12. Shiner or bream, commun.
13. Chub ( Lennamek, %.), common.
14. Roach (Shinck, C.), common.
15. Sucker, common.
16. Silvery sucker, common.
17. Yellow rathish ( Wixamek, Z. and II.), abundant at place-,
18. Big-head, common.
19. Stone catfish, common.
20. Black bass, common in Schuylkill ; introduced.
21. Gold fish, common in Selinylkill ; introduced.
22. Carp, occasionally in Schuylkill ; introduced.
23. Common eel (Scharhamek, Z. and Il,), abundant ut places.
24. Black lamprey ( Paeskanskiack, C.), common in Schuylkill.
25. Silvery lamprey, occasionally sern.
General Remarks .- In the last forty years various estimates have been made as to the number of species existing in the zoology of Pennsylvania. Some have made the number ten thousand, and others nearly twenty-six thousand species. We are inclined to believe that the species in nearly all departments are made too numerous; that in the desire to an- nounce new discoveries, and for naturalists to bestow each other's names on them, lie some of the main causes that are continually changing and swelling our catalogues. In all the divisions of nature we be- come frequently perplexed at the varieties offered, which are only too often mistaken for species. We cannot believe, for instance, from their elose resem- blance to each other, that there are as many species of sparrows or warblers as have been given in the catalogue, and hence the great difficulty that attaches itself to this study in a proper discrimination from mere varieties. Sex also often makes a remarkable difference, as has often come to our knowledge, par- tieularly in regard to birds, serpents and insects. As
near as we can well arrive at it now, we would estimate the various species in the zoology of Montgomery County as follows : Mammals, 35; birds, 234; reptiles, 33 ; fishes, 40 ; insects, 7,000; spiders, etc., 100; crustaceous or shelly tribe, 60; worms, etc., 100; and animalcules, 120,-making over seven hundred species, without the insects : thus showing that even within our restricted limits the animal kingdom is pretty well represented, without includ- ing those that have become extinet or have been naturalized from abroad.
CHAPTER XXIX .
AGRICULTURE.
THE annals of agriculture in Eastern Pennsyl- vania are so essentially blended with that of the whole country that some reference to the subject, in a general way, seems a necessary prelude to the history of tarm- ing and farmers in Montgomery County. If the number, character and condition of persons employed in tilling the soil be considered in connection with the necessity and gross value of the product, great importance must be conceded to the calling. Agriculturists are producers, and from least to greatest, the farm, plantation or modern ranch must show a product in excess of home consumption equal to a fair rental value over the interest-cost of the land and improvements, or the investment will be deemed a financial failure. Under the American system of tenures, and the excellent laws for the registration of titles, land has become the most safe, and hence the most desirable, security for all permanent investment of surplus capital. This in itself has enhanced the value of improved lands eligibly located. The pri- mary disadvantage to the practical tiller of the soil is increased by our vast system of internal improve- ments in rail and waterways, by means of which the products of cheaper lands, thousands of miles west- ward, can be brought in direct competition with the more costly agricultural products of the Atlantic States. This disadvantage is, however, in some measure compensated by the superior markets afford- ed to those who are at a convenient distance from our seaport cities and large inland manufacturing towns.
The census reports of 1880 exhibit results flattering to agricultural pursuits. Of four million eight thou- sand nine hundred aud seven farms, approximating into which the cultivated area of the United States is divided, nearly seventy per cent. are managed and tilled by their owners. In the Northern States the proportion rises to eighty per cent. and even higher. We have millions of farms just large enough to profita- bly employ the labor of the proprietor and his grow- ing sons and daughters. In the far West we have
440
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
multitudes of plantations and ranches upon which labor, capital and improved machinery are employed under skilled direction; among them farms that are the wonder of the world, where one thousand or five thousand acres are sown as one field of wheat or corn, or, as on the Dalrymple farm in Dakota, "where a brigade of six-horse reapers go twenty abreast to cut the grain that waves before the eye almost to the horizon." The American farmers, as a class, differ essentially from the agriculturists or peasantry of Europe. The active tillers of the soil here are the same kind of men as those who fill the professions or are engaged in commercial and mechanical pursuits. Of a family of sons of the same parents, born and raised on the old homestead, all are liberally educated as they grow up, and having outgrown the farm, one becomes a lawyer and judge, another goes down into the city and becomes a merchant, or, perhaps, gives himself to political affairs and becomes Governor or a member of Congress ; but one among them, inspired by ancestral pride, remains upon the old farm, or carves out a new one for himself and his children on the public domain in the West, remaining through his life a plain, hard-working farmer. This has been the experience of many generations, and nowhere in the world, for the last half-century, has there been mental activity and alertness equal to that in America applied to the cultivation of the soil. And while this has been the character of the native-born farmers, those who have come among us from foreign countries have caught the step and spirit of the national move- ment with wonderful ease. With examples on every hand of the right way of doing things, the Germans, Scandinavians, and perhaps, in a less degree, the Irish and French who have made their homes with us, have been changed from the crude ways of the Euro- pean peasant to the happier methods of the American farmer.1
1 In the South the soil was, nutil the war of the Rebellion, tilled by a race of blacks, degraded and brutalized, so far as is implied in a system of chattel slavery. Upon the fruits of their labor the master lived, either in Inxury or in sqnatur, according to the number of those whose unpaid services he could command. The great majority of the slave-holding class lived far more meanly than ordinary mechanics at the North, or even than the common day-lahorers among us. Of the three Imudred and eighty-four thousand slave-holders of 1860, twenty per cent. owned but one slave each, twenty-one per cent. more owned Imt two or three ; those who owned five slaves, or fewer, comprised fifty-five per cent. of the entire number, while seventy-two per cent. had less than ten shoves including men, women and children. To the vast majority of this class slavery meant, simply and solely, shirking work ; and to enjoy this blessed privilege they were content to live in miserable huts, eat the coarsest food and wear their butternut-colored homespun. The slave worked just as little as he condi, and just as poorly as he dared; ate everything on which he could lay his hands without having the lash laid on his back ; and wasted and spoiled on every side, not from a malicious intention, but because he was ignorant, clumsy and stupid, or at least stupefied. The master lived ou whatever he could wrest from laborers of this class. Of the planters with seven cabins or families of slaves, averaging five euch, including house-servants, aged invalids and children, Mr. Fred. Law Olmstead, in his work on "The Cotton Kingdom," estimated the income "to be hardly more than that of a private of the New York metropolitan police force." Yet there were only about twenty thousand slave-hullers in 1800 who beldl slaves in excess of this
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.