Posey County, Indiana - Chapter 11: Agriculture and Horticulture, 1913

Chapter 11: Agriculture and Horticulture

It was George Washington who said : "Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment of man." It is agriculture which has made and is still making the United States so great. The farm products of this country have practically reached an amount equal to ten billion dollars annually - an amount equal in value to all the gold and silver mined since the world has been in existence, or equal in value to all the railroads in the United States. This fact, and this fact alone, makes this country feared and respected by all the powers in time of peace and in time of war. So important is this condition that before any power enters into war agents are at once despatched to the United States to know if necessary animals for transportation can be obtained and feed for these animals, also food for the army and navy, and clothing from the cotton, the wool and the hides. All of these are farm products and are necessary for the existence of the arm3^ The entire world realizes more and more the im])ortance of agriculture and as the realization grows its importance advances by leaps and bounds. The increased cost of living means, first of all, increased prices for farm products and these prices must continue to grow vmtil science comes in and "makes two blades of grass grow where one formerly grew." The natural elements for farm products are light, air, sunshine, warmth and soil, and this soil must have the food elements for plant life and gi-ain producing. Posey county, with its 252,000 acres of land, most certainly has all these elements - then, too, it has other conditions most valuable in two large navigable rivers on its south and west borders, three big railway systems, both rock and gravel roads which traverse the entire county, giving it an advantage in marketing its products over any county in Indiana. Seventy-seven miles of river front means seventy-seven miles of alluvial soil - a soil which needs no rotation nor rest. These lands equal in fertility the lands of the river Nile, and extending along the entire river frontage, in width varying from a few rods to a few miles, produce the best^corn of the world. The soil of these bottom lands, always responsive to the plow and cultivator, produces more per acre than any other soil continuously farmed in one crop. These lands, with the creek and branch bottoms, which are equally as fertile, constitute one-eighth of Posey county's area. Nor is this all - the hills, the valleys and all surrounding country have been so blessed and smiled upon by God that they, too, are rich in plant life elements. Thus it is that Posey county, year after year, adds its millions and millions to make the ten billions of the United States. Let us not think that the corn, the wheat and the hay are the only Posey county products, for the live stock, the poultry, the eggs, the milk and the butter all come in for their important positions. The melons, the sorghum and sweet potatoes must receive notice. The nut crop is no small matter - the pecan, recognized as the finest and best nut in the world, has its native home here. No country produces such sweet nuts, with thin shells and plump kernels. The hickory nut and walnut are found in abundance, but the hazel nut and chestnut are very scarce. Add to all these the orchard and garden products, and one begins to realize what Posey county farms produce.

A study of Posey county is interesting. Its 25,000 inhabitants are composed of whites, excepting a few colored people in and near Mt. Vernon, the county seat. But little authentic information can be obtained of this county previous to the coming of the white settlers, excepting that it is known that the Pottawatomie and Wea Indian tribes once lived in this community. In 1809 the white settlers made their appearance here, North Carolina and Tennessee supplying these, closely followed by several Gerinan families from Pennsylvania. Today many Germans are found all over Posey county, especially in the eastern half and southern portion. At this early period much of the fertile lands were swampy - it is this old and long passed condition which causes the wag of today to refer to Posey county as a wet waste of swampy land. It is not generally known that since i860 almost three-fourths of the county has been cleared, stumped, drained and put under cultivation. The Rapps, the Owens and Thomas Posey, for whom the county was named, were the pioneer prominent farmers. The lands of Posey county are broadly divided into upland and river bottoms. What is known as Miami silt loam constitutes five-eighths of the area of this county. This is a very fertile soil, generally rolling, with but little hilly, broken land. It is especially fitted for all grains and forage crops. The alluvial soil known as Yazoo clay or river bottom land, also creek bottom lands, constitute another eighth of Posey county's area. This land, due to its yearly overflow, provides yearly good crops of corn, no rotation of crops being necessary, the alluvial deposits being so heavy that practiced rotation is unnecessary. The various sands, sandy loam and clay and black bottom constitute the remaining fourth of Posey county soils. It is

The surface soil has a depth of from twelve to forty-eight inches. It is this fact which so materially helps to maintain soil fertility, produce large crops and of the best quality. Add to this the liberal growth of the various nitrogenous gathering plants, such as the various clovers, cow peas, soy beans, etc., and one can readily understand why we have a productive soil. The character of the work of our thrifty, industrious, economical people who cultivate these lands adds materially to our good soiles and makes our resources possible. Our farmers fully realize that agriculture is a science, and as such they study every phase of the farm and farming. The work which is being done in this line in Posey county improves each year. The natural drainages are being bettered, drain tile are being put in and big, open ditches are being dug every day. The houses are modern in every sense, two stories, with water, light and heating systems being established. The telephone, the daily mail, the improved roads and the automobile place these people in better living position than the city people. When you add to this the home library and good musical instruments, one maj' very justly ask: "Can anj- home be as good as a country home?" The barns and granaries are modern in every sense, with water supply of the purest - the Wabash river territory furnishing pure, cool, inexhaustible water at a depth of twentyfive to thirty-five feet, and the hill lands with water almost as good at a depth of thirty-five to seventy-five feet. With the pure air and God's wholesome sunshine, is it strange that good health and long life are prevalent in this county? Each community has its house of worship, and school houses are dotted here and there in such numbers that the child must learn. The schools, too, are of the very best, and thus it is that we pile advantage upon advantage. A community's civilization is measured by its schools, churches and roads - we proudly exclaim measure our civilization thusly - we shall find all our measures piled up to overflowing. Proud? Why shouldn't a county be proud of such advantages? Advantages given by God, advantages made possible by man. Thus could we go on indefinitel)^ showing our good points. These advantages are such that all farm lands have very materially advanced in value. There are but few large land owners here, less than twenty-five in the entire county. The average size of the Posey coimty farm is less than seventy-five acres. The tenant and the land owner mingle in friendly work and discussion, and thus it is that the very best feeling prevails at all times.

Game is almost extinct. Some water fowls, rabbit, squirrel and quail are hunted here every year, also the raccoon and opossum, which were formerly hunted for their pelts alone, but now their flesh for food is fully as important. The waters abound in fish - perch, carp, buffalo, cat, sun and bass are found. Hovey's lake, the largest body of water in the county, is considered the ideal place for the fisherman, and the hunter, too, finds sport here. Mussel fishing or digging in the Wabash river is very profitable, the shells bringing $25 a ton. Many valuable pearls are found in this work, frequently bringing hundreds, yes, thousands of dollars. Their beauty and luster are such that a ready market awaits the fortunate finder of a pearl.

The sandy loams in and about Poseyville, New Harmony and along the Wabash river produce the famous Posey county canteloupes and watermelons. No place produces better nor more to the acre. A few years ago these lands were considered valueless. Today they are valued with any of the lands, as their revenue equals that of the rich bottom lands and the valuable hill lands. The sweet potato and sorghum are rotating crops with the melons, and they are as fine and good in their class. At one time Posey county had timber of unusual growth and value, but here is where man has been wasteful and extravagant. Black walnut - there is no finer lumber in the world - has been cut for rails and sawed into lumber for pig sties and stables. Poplar - the beautiful yellow poplar - is now extinct. The immense trees, one hundred feet high and five to ten feet in diameter, are unknown to the youth of today in this county ; the sweet gum is no more, and ash of size is scarce. The various oaks - white, red, black, burr, water, etc. - alone remain to tell our children's children that at one time we were a wooded country, and even these lack majesty and height, circumference and symmetry, the best of these having been assigned to the saw dog. Why dwell upon this? Were the trees here the farm lands would be primitive. Perhaps it is best to rejoice that things are as they are.

Posey county ranks first in the State of Indiana in the production of wheat, the quality being high and always good. In corn, no county can compare with Posey in high class and big yield. This corn bears shipping to any southern country, no weevil affecting it. The St. Charles corn in Missouri bears this proud distinction with the Ohio and Wabash river corn. The quality of both clover and timothy hay are unexcelled. Much is shipped to the markets where premium prices are paid. Live .stock is beginning to assume the importance that it should. The northern half of the county prides itself upon its fancy cattle, fine sheep and high class horses. The entire county has several types of hogs of very high class. The southern half of the county is today looking after improved breeds of all live stock, and in a few years we can sing the praises of fine live stock all over Posey county. Poultry and eggs, milk and butter, "the woman's part of farm life," bring in thousands of dollars every week; The table is not complete without these or their products. The sick and the well always enjoy them, and they alone make country life well worth seeking. The farmer is broad and magnanimous, unwilling to unite to dictate prices, or form a trust, but willing at all times to do his share towards human betterment and advancement. Imagine a farmers' combine and trust! The sick, the poor, the hungry would be the sufferers, and for this reason alone let us be willing to praise his good qualities. For all of this did George Washington speak of agriculture as "the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment of man," and for all this is exactly why he was known the world over for his truthfulness.

Jacob Cronbach

The present Posey County Fair Association was temporarily organized July 17, 1858, and permanent officers were elected and directors appointed soon after. M. T. Carnahan was elected first permanent president ; John Cooper, vice-president ; J. C. Miller, corresponding secretary, and Samuel Arthur, treasurer.

The first fair was held October 25, 26 and 27, 1859. The next fair was supposed to have been attended by 5.000 visitors and left a balance in the treasury of $1,500. The purpose of the society is to promote the agricultural, horticultural, live stock, manufacturing and mechanical art interests of the county.

For the first ten years the receipts were usually a little in excess of the expenditures. In 1867 the receipts were about $3,000 and in 1881 they amounted to about $4,500. In that year the society donated $300 to aid the Peoria. Decatur and Evansville railroad and paid $2. 242 in premiums. The next year the receipts dropped to $3,500. In 1883 and 1884 the receipts were something over $4,000. For the next few years, owing to increased cost of attractions, improvements and other expenses, the expenditures exceeded the receipts. This society is incorporated under the laws of Indiana and is one of the substantial agricultural societies of the State and owns the fair grounds property at New Harmony, which consist of about twenty-four acres, with all modern equipment for exhibition purposes. The annual fair h«ld by the association is an event that has proved of great value to the agriculturists from an educational standpoint and the association distributes about $3,500 annually in premiums, which has proven very effective as a stimulus to competitive exhibitors. The institution has always been under capable management and is on a sound financial basis. The present officers are Edwin Gentry, president; Mrs. Carrie Miller, secretary, and Edwin Ford, treasurer.