The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-10-30
From M6 marlborough Ga-ette.
Farming in Prince Georges County, Md.

lated Farms have the honor TO report, that they
proceeded the discharge of their duties as soon as
practicable, after receiving notification from the diff
ferent competitors that their respective farms were
ready forinspection.
Col JONI d. BowLisd-The attention of your
Committee was first invited to the estate Of this gen.
teman His farm contains considerably upwards
OF one thousand acres and may without hesitation
be pronounced most magnificent one. 1t embraces
several hundred acres, without the slightest eeva-
ton; the soil an alluvion, and consequently almost
inexhaustibe, The unduhling portions have been
improved by the application OF clover and plaster,
and are peculiarly adapted TO the growth OF beautiful
tobacco, asthe accounts Of sales from his commits
sion merchants abundnnlly testify. The crops upon
this farm were ncomparably finer than any have
elsewhere seem The abundant crops and the health
full condition of every thing, both animal and vege-
table, proved to the committee that this estate was
conducted upon system Of mastery activity. But,
what is it not possible to accomplish, where Prov-
dence has been profse in the distribution Of his
choicest gifts; and under the direction of metho-
deal and energetic ngrieuturis its proprietor
We also take great pleasure in rcerringto the agen
cy and great merit of his manager, who for his in
doJntable zeal and great interest always manifested
for his employer, not only deserves high commenda-
ton, but should be held up as examplar in his
.
cation. AKA
Mr.. JAMES SoMERvELL-Adjonng the last farm
described and next in line of observation, was that
of Mr. Somervell The committee commenced their
operations by viewing the surrounding fields the ge
neral appearance of which indicated gieat change
from what they formerly presented. The products
have been more than quadrupled since it has come
into the possession of its present owner. A great
portion of this farm seems to be constituted of such
intractabe materials, that man who did not adopt
the motto Of nil desperandum. could reasonably an
tcipate even the remote prospect of converting IL
into productive one. 1t has, however, been won
derfuly improved and renovated in the last few years
by ditching, fencing, clearing grubbng, manurng,
and by the application Of clover and plaster to such
portions will respond to its magic influence. His
stock found in good condition. and we were pleas
ed find roots cultivated quite extensively for their
consumption Farming implements, such as poughs,
harrows hoes, &c, carefully arranged and de-
posted in house provided for the special purpose
The committee regret 10 say that the grounds around
the house presented rather neglected appearance,
but we entertain no doubt, in us much us the wor-
thy owner has recently reentered the state Of eonju
gal feliciy-he will by the influence Of an interest
ing counsellor direct his attention TO their i'm
provement and decoration. 80 .,Gsa Is g.
Nh. CHARLES G. HILt,-SThe committee by invita-
ton next visited the farm of this gentleman, which
afforded them great pleasure System, neatness, and
precision prevailed in every department. both exter
naly and domestic. Here were visible the precursors
TO brilliant success in agriculture-und indeed il
written in characters 100 legibe not TO be read
by ala beginning which must lead to an enviable
distinction. With the blessings of youth and health
and with his chart already laid down, we hail him us
beacon Of light to illuminate the pathway Of those
who may follow in his wake. The soil on this farm
is beautiful sandy loan, the greater portion of
which is adapted TO the use Of clover and plaster,
which will greatly augment its fertility We bel ieve
that lime would be found valuable adjunct to the
list of manures upon this farm. Lime has the power
ofdeveloping many latent clements contained in the
soil, and converting them into humurs which is the
great fructfying principle. The committee observed
with great plea sure that his buildings Of every de-
scription were constructed on the most approved
and economical plans, embracing great convent
ence and durability. His agricultural implements
were highly FURNISHED and most systematically ar
ranged, with every thing showing determination
on the part of the proprietor in time TO be second to
no man in the county in the science of agriculture
Mn. RoBERT BowIE.-Here is an estate naturally
destitute Of these elements, which essential for
rendering return commensurate with the labor be-
owner hns been astonishing resuscitated and
enhanced in intrinsic value Great Judgment is
evinced in the cultivation Of this farm; also in the d.
vision and subdivision Of ii into fields and los--al
Of which are substantially and neatly enclosed. To
the briars, sassafras and other pests which seem to
have been the spontaneous production Of this soil,
the owner has cried aloud and spared not. Swamps
have been made dry, and many barren spots are
now clothed with uxurant verdurc. We believe that
large portion ofthis estate is not susceptible of ac-
quiring and sustaining high degree Of fertility
without the aid of some mineral manures They
will give stamina to the soil, and permanency and
fxidy to the vegetable manures which cannot other
wise be obtained For its natural resources we find
no where In the scope OF our examinations an equal
quantity OF manure produced annually. Twelve hum
dred and ninety loads Of various descriptions have
been hauled out and applied since April last His
stock consists of mixed breeds and are in good con-
dition We saw here several acres under cultivation
in different kinds OF roots which promised an album
dant yield We must not omit to say, we saw with
great pleasure several hundred fruit trees Of very thrift
y growth 1t is believed that no farm in the county
exhibits amore determined industry and better sys-
TEN OF husbandry than the one owned by the late
President OF this Society," and the committee sincere
~ hope that he may live to receive u long and full
fruition OF all those temporal blessings which lie 30
richly merits.
Col W. w. W. BowrE. This farm, though last on
the list OF examinations by the committee, II will
subsequently, be discovered was not in their estirna-
ton the one which possessed the least merit Here
is land naturally sterile, and possessing few atlrac-
TONS but has, under the system Of management pur
sued by Its owner in few years, been brought to
state Of high fertility. The improvement has been
the result OF the ludicious application of manures
and Of clover and plaster but principally from mn
nures great portion Of the land not being adapted
to the growth of clover The pre- sent Moderation OF
the soil compared with il few years back is SO ap-
parent as 10 excite the admiration and establishment
OF ALL In the emphatic language of its proprietor il
was broken and abounded in swamps, marshes green
briars alders CALLED knobs, broom sedge and power
ty grass. He commenced his agricultural career
with this formidable array of impediments which
would have been sufficient to inti,nidate any one bu,
the gallant Colonel. But spurred on by an arden,
love Of agriculture he has come off more than yc,or
demonstrating to the most incredulous how ex.
hausted farms, even with limited pecuniary ability
can, by untring industry and skillul treatment, b.
brought 10 high state OF productyeness. Here mr.,