Peninsula Enterprise, February 26, 1887
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Infrastructure -- Commercial - Newspapers
The first number of a newspaper to be published at Cape Charles, and known as The Pioneer, appears this week with Mr. Wm. Bullit Fitzhugh as editor.
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Transportation -- Railroad - FreightTransportation -- Railroad - Corporate
A meeting of the officials of the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk, and the Norfolk Southern Railroads, were held in Norfolk last week, at which arrangement was perfected by which cars will be run through from the former road to Elizabeth City, N.C., where freight will be transferred to steamers for delivery at ports on the sounds and rivers of that State. The arrangement will be reciprocal, and cars will be loaded at Elizabeth City for Northern markets. The new arrangement will go into effect almost immediately, and will be of great benefit to the people on both lines of railroad.
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Moral -- Other violent crime
George Cherrick, of Chincoteague, was put in jail on Friday, of last week, charged with an assault on a little girl.
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Farmers -- Farmers' organizations
The Fruit Growers and Truckers Association of Accomac, will hold a meeting on the Fair Grounds, on Saturday, February 26th inst., at 2 p. m. Every one any way interested in "fruit growing and trucking" are invited to be present.
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Infrastructure -- Public : TownsInfrastructure -- Commercial - Residential constructionMoral -- VandalismInfrastructure -- Commercial - Real estateTourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - Fraternal orders
Belle Haven.
Our town will have a building boom this spring. Five handsome dwellings are certainly to be built and perhaps more.
The storehouse of Mrs. Minson, at Hadlock, burned on Monday night, was doubtless the work of an incendiary.
Mr. V. J. Stuart has purchased a lot in our town and a part also of Mr. John R. Floyd's farm, adjacent to the village.
The lodge of Ancient Order of United Workmen at this place is growing rapidly. Three members were initiated at last meeting, and two more will be at next.
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Infrastructure -- Utilities - TelephoneInfrastructure -- Public : TownsArchitecture -- Commercial buildingsLaborers -- FisheriesInfrastructure -- Commercial - Commercial constructionInfrastructure -- Commercial - HotelsInfrastructure -- Utilities - IceInfrastructure -- Commercial - Real estate
Cape Charles [City].
Mr. C. H. Waldbrige has telephone connections from his dwelling to freight depot and many points on his farm.
Extensive preparations are being made by Hon. W. L. Scott, for this season's fishing. Fishermen from the lakes have been engaged to supervise operations.
A three story hotel, 80 x 40 feet, is to be built by July 1st, on the corner of Mason avenue and Pine street, by Messrs. Wolfe & Horsey, of Delaware.
The Cape Charles Ice Co., is daily expecting two large schooners loaded with Boston ice.
A lot has been purchased on Mason avenue by Lodge of A. O. U. W., on which a hall is to be erected soon.
Two lots in our town have been bought by Rev. John McNabb, of Accomac C. H., on which he proposes to have buildings erected this spring.
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Transportation -- Railroad - FreightTransportation -- Railroad - Rates and faresTransportation -- Railroad - RegulationTransportation -- Water - Aids to navigationInfrastructure -- Utilities - Telegraph
Chincoteague.
A proposition was made to our shippers by the Del., Md. and Va. R.R. Co., through their agent, last week, to reduce the freight on clams, oysters and other perishable things, between this point and Philadelphia, from 80 to 50 cents, if the shipper would assume the risk of loss. Very many declined to accept this proposition. There is a necessity for the operation of the Inter State Commerce bill here, not only because of high freight rates charged, but for another reason -- that a rebate is given to some of our merchants and denied to others.
The steamer Geranium arrived here on 28rd inst., and her crew have since been engaged in locating and repairing buoys on our bars.
According to a bill which has received the approval of the Secretary of War, telegraphic rates in the U. S. Signal Service are to be reduced three-fourths, which is a matter of considerable importance to many of our people. A telegram of 10 words from this place to Lewes, Del., now costing 40 cents, will when the bill goes into operation cost 10 cents.
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Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : BaysideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : YieldInfrastructure -- Commercial - Residential constructionInfrastructure -- Public : ChurchesTransportation -- Water - Sailboats
Mearsville.
Several of our oystermen have returned from the Potomac, and report that oysters are scarcer and times duller there than was ever known before.
A handsome dwelling is to be erected here soon by Mr. J. L. Bayly.
Many of our people are busily engaged in cutting timber for the new Bethel church.
Capt. Walter Wessels is the purchaser of a fine pungy boat, confiscated at Leonardtown, Md., for illegal dredging and returned home with her last week.
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Tourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Hunting : Waterfowl and shorebirdSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : BaysideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : PricesSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : YieldProfessionals -- Seafood dealersInfrastructure -- Commercial - Sand and gravel
Tangier.
Capt. Wilson, of Baltimore, has paid for oysters at this port, this season, over $18,000.
Oysters are selling with us at 50 and 60 cents per bushel, but very scarce, say both dredgers and tongers.
Wild fowl with us are scarce and shy, because of too much shooting at them.
A gentleman from Baltimore visited the island last week and offered $50 per ton for black sand but could not get it here.
The Oyster Committee.
Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : Legislation
Senator J. N. Stubbs, of Gloucester, Hon. J. A. Wingfield, Register of Land office, Delegate A. W. Eastwood, of King William, Gen. Jas. C. Hill, Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, and Senator J. W. G. Blackstone, representing the committee appointed to investigate the oyster industry of Virginia, met at Accomac C. H., last Thursday and together with Senator Lovenstein, who arrived on night train, left for Chincoteague, following morning. The committee since their arrival on Eastern Shore have had several conferences with those interested in the oyster industry. On to-day after visiting Sykes' Island they will leave on evening train for Old Point. Senator Stubbs and Gen. Hill met many old friends in Accomac and either of them can always feel sure of a cordial welcome in our midst. General Hill was the Major of the 46th Virginia regiment and greatly endeared himself to our soldiers who were in his command during the war.
Incendiary Fire.
Moral -- Vandalism
On last Tuesday morning, between 1 and 2 o'clock the store of Mrs. Cecilia J. Minson, Hadlock, Northampton county, was set fire to and entirely destroyed, together with money, books and all the goods in store, except 6 barrels of flour. The fire was started in porch facing road and the boxes, egg-crates and fodder thoroughly saturated with coal oil found at the store door when the fire was discovered, showed beyond doubt that it was the act of an incendiary. The clerk, Mr. Geo. T. Beach and a little son of Mrs. Minson escaped with difficulty from the burning building through the upper story window and only a few seconds before the roof was blown from the store by the explosion of an oil can. Mr. Beach did not have time even to save his own money and papers and his loss is about $400. The loss of Mrs. Minson is about $2,800, she having failed to renew her insurance, which run out last June. The loss to her is a very serious one as the proceeds from store was the principal support of herself and six children. No one knows who the incendiary is but strong suspicions are entertained.
Virginia's Oyster Interest.
Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : BaysideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : Other
Fish Commissioner McDonald of Virginia, in a communication to Gov. Lee in relation to the propagation of fish and oysters in the waters of Virginia, writes "It is important that the attention of the commission should be given to the encouragement of our salt water fisheries, and especially to the increase of our oyster production. -- Nine-tenths of the area of Chesapeake bay produces no oysters. -- One half of that area can be converted into fruitful oyster fields when the State has shown the way by putting in successful practice at a station of her own the methods necessary to secure compensating results. An oystercultural station on the east side of the bay, in either Tangier or Pocomoke sounds, is, in his judgment, the most important development in fish culture yet to be made. He hopes to make a beginning the ensuing summer by prospecting the ground, locating the site of the establishment, and possibly making a beginning of the work, and to be able to furnish, on the assembling of the Legislature, a well digested scheme for the development of such a station. The importance of the State taking the lead in the matter is considered by him to be twofold: First, private enterprise will not do the necessary experimental work to point the way to success; second, the oyster industry is now the most important interest of Tidewater Virginia. Its production can be increased tenfold when the way is made plain to the utilization of the mud flats and salt marshes for the purpose of oyster production. The oystermen are now complaining of the growing scarcity of the oyster in those sections."
The Sweet Potato.
Fields -- Crops - Sweet potatoes : CultivationFields -- Crops - Sweet potatoes : Seed and slips
EDITOR ENTERPRISE: I enclose an article that I published in a Cambridge (Md.) paper, nearly three years ago, upon a subject that is now being discussed in your columns. If you deem it of sufficient interest to your readers, you can republish it, or any extracts you may choose to select.
The statement, "In Virginia I have seen the vine in blossom, &c.," refers to Northumberland county. I cannot say that any of the blossoming vines seen there, were those of the Yellow potato. In the case of Mr. Stewart's, of Dorchester county, Md., I am positive, and many will corroborate the statement, his vines were of the pure yellow species. The confidence I express in the statement, "I am sure it can be done," is simply the result of a series of microscopic studies of the flower, from the unfolded bud to the full blown state. No flower has more perfect reproductive organs, and all microscopic essentials to reproduction, than the flower of the yellow sweet potato vine. If I may be permitted to express an humble opinion as to the "kinds" of the sweet potato, it is in substance this. Probably, the pure yellow, the Spanish, the old time Angilla, a red kind, and perhaps a few others are true and distinct species; while all other "kinds" are variations of the same species, or in some cases, hybrids. I agree with "Lee" that it seems impossible to "mix" without blossoming and interchange of pollen. I believe with him that all kinds may be planted side by side for years without mixing, and yet, I know that the manipulation of man can mix them. Of this I have most positive knowledge. One instance, for which I can personally vouch, is perhaps sufficient. About twelve years ago, a gentleman in the Northern Neck, Va., succeeded in evolving a hybrid that was a distinct kind. For several years the local demand for seeds and plants of the tuber, was beyond his supply. Buyers readily paid more than double the price asked for other kinds. It was the earliness of the hybrid that made it valuable. It was marketable at least two or three weeks earlier than the yellow or haman potato. All knew that he produced the hybrid by inserting a combination of different kinds when bedding; but, how he combined them and the kinds he combined were the secrets he kept. The method, however is not new.
J. R. STURGIS.
Pungoteague, Feb. 18th, '87.
In a recent issue of the News, Mr. Jas. Stewart, of Sandy Hill, calls attention to the flowering of sweet potato vines in his field. I am surprised to learn from Mr. Stewart and others that this is the first instance within their personal knowledge of the blooming of this plant. I have just interrogated a Dorchester farmer, past 70 years of age, and he tells me: "I never saw or heard tell of a potato vine blooming in all my life before." One sceptic was only convinced by my presenting him with a piece of the vine with the opened flower in evidence. In Virginia I have so frequently seen the vine in blossom that it seems remarkable for it to be such a novelty here.
The fact of its flowering has been as long known in botany as the potato itself. Indeed, its classification in botany is based upon a characteristic of its [illegible] natural order [illegible] sweet potato was classified under the genus Convolvulus. But owing to the four celled ovary in this and kindred plants, they were separated from the Convolvulus genera and organized as a distinct genus themselves. So that, in advanced botany, the sweet potato is no longer termed Convolvulus batatas, but Batatis edulis, while under the new genus Batatis other plants were placed that had been otherwise classified.
Why should this vine bear flower and fruit? I answer: In order to reproduce and perpetuate the species. The flower has all the essential organs and parts of reproduction. The fruit is perfect. -- Nature never entrusts the perpetuation of plants absolutely into the hands of man. She always guards against neglect and accidents. If during the winter all the garnered potatoes in the country should freeze or decay, nature has doubtless provided against the catastrophe of extinction by quietly maturing seed during the summer that fall into her bosom unseen, and silently wait her word to germinate, mature and thus guarantee that seed as well as "seed time and harvest shall not fail." Whether or not sweet potatoes have been produced from the seed, I do not know. -- From a botanical standpoint, I am sure it can be done. It is so easy and has so long been the custom to propagate from the tuber itself, that probably no one has tried or paid much attention to it. Our old potato fields and patches are ploughed up and planted the following spring before the seed (if there) could germinate. Or, if a sprout should appear, we would refer it to a buried tube at once, and not to a seed. In Europe, where the round potato deteriorates through successive (which is also excessive) planting by cuttings or "eyes," the remedy for renewed vigor is found in obtaining new seed tubers by planting the true seed or "potato balls." I presume the quality, as well as the power to resist disease would be improved and increased in our potatoes of both kinds by similar methods. The tuber is not, strictly speaking, a root, but rather an underground branch of the plant. Our method of propagation corresponds to budding in horticulture. -- This is a continuation, but not a reproduction of a species. Excessive continuation without occasional reproduction is evidently a weakening process. Perhaps this tendency to deterioration in our sweet potatoes is hindered or partly counteracted by the "crossing" process. This consists in mutually engrafting one tuber within another, and results in giving us a variety of colors and kinds, to which local or individual names have been given. Perhaps, the rare occurrence of flowers upon the vines is due in part to this crossing process -- the potatoes are mixed and will not flower. Certainly, special cultivation for tuber development rather than fruit bearing has much to do with the non-appearance of flowers. I hope our friend Stewart will save the seed from these flowers, experiment with them next year and give the results to the public. And I further hope that any one possessing enlightening facts upon this subject will publish them in our local papers.
It may not be out of place to warn the children on farms and in our gardens against eating the fruit that follows the flower of the round potato. -- This plant belongs to the Solanum or Nightshade family, and while the tubers are nutritious the "fruit balls" are poisonous.
J. R. STURGIS.
Cambridge, Md., Aug. 21st, 1884.
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Transportation -- Railroad - Stations and sidings
The action of those having in charge the matters of the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk Railroad, in closing up the stations at night to the great inconvenience of the traveling public, and in reducing the force of employees on the road, whereby the safety of travellers is greatly imperiled, meets with universal condemnation, nor can it be too severely denounced, but the vials of wrath should be emptied upon the heads of those who are responsible for it. It is generally supposed that the evils in question are due to our superintendent and general passenger and freight agent, but we are advised and correctly we think, that they are subject to a higher power in the matter -- and we gladly give the information, that our people may exculpate the gentlemen whom we believe, have always been willing to give our people a patient hearing and redress all wrongs against them, as far as they could. Through their intercession, however, the people will look for a remedy of the evils which have been imposed upon us, and it is to be hoped, that speedy action will remove the danger and inconvenience which attend present methods of running our trains. Is our road, which a few months ago was heralded to the world as such a swift and safe highway of travel and so profitable to its owners as to be able to compete with the best not only in the facilities provided for the comfort of its passengers, but as well for its low rates, at this time so bankrupt that not a single light is to be seen along its line at night, not a shelter can be provided for the comfort of its passengers, and even enough men cannot be employed on the trains to handle heavy baggage, without the help of persons who may happen to be loafing around the station. Or is the safety [illegible] road of so little consequence that it matters not if a few pennies are saved, how much we suffer waiting for, or after leaving trains, or to what extent our lives may be in peril by collisions, for want of proper communications along the route. Something is wrong in the management of the N.Y. P. & N. R.R., where we do not know, which it is someones duty to remedy, whom we do not know, but the wrong should be righted speedily.