The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-06-21
Meeting Of the IIoeklng valley HOrIi.
cultural society.
HORTICULTURAL Rooms,

in the Chair.
The discussion of the subject Of
vegetable culture was taken up.
Mr. Gravett detailed bis method Of
cultivating and keeping the mangold
worzcl beet; its use being chiefly for
stock feeding, especially for milch
cows. Could not decide whether it
would be profitable as a farm crop
for this purpose.
Mr. Pence thought he had better
plan than that of root culture for COW
feeding This was TO sow rye among
corn at the last plowing of corn in
summer cows to be turned on after
the corn is harvested Makes pasture
through the fall 'and wintor in ordin.
ary seasons, and the butter yielded
from this feed is equal to May butter.
Mr.. Clark mentioned the white ru-
tabaga turnips as excellent for stock
feed, as well as for table use in spring.
His method of cultivation is to pre-
pare the ground thoroughly, sow in
drills 18 inches apart, about the 10th
Of June, give them two hoeings, thin>
ming out at second hocing where
plants are too thick, and transplant>
ing where too few. Prefers a clay
soil for turnips, with a few loads of
well rotted manure TO the acre, spread
over the surface, none of it to be
mixed with the soil to the depth of
more than one inch. Such soil and
culture produces turnips large enough,
and of quality far superior to those
grown in rich alluvial soil
Mr.. Spielman said the best turnips
he had ever seen were raised in a
rich, sandy loan. In Germany, the
method was to SOW broadcast, hoeing
two or three times, and thinning out
where necessary. The dirt is drawn
away from, rather than to the plants.
In that country this root is greatly
depended on as feed for cattle, horses
and sheep.
Mr.. Fetters said that soil consist,
ing wholly of vegetable mould would
produce inferior roots, corn, sorghum,
grapes, and almost anything clse.--
! Clay soil properly manured, gives a
much better quality Of product. Had
never tried the raising of turnips for
feed; considers it too costly for ordin,
ary farming; finds that sorghum,
cured, makes a cheaper and better
feed, both for milk and fattening pur.
poses. ..'a5 ...a
Mr.. Boving stated that he raised
sorghum every year for feed and
finds it excellent. Had fattened q
COW on it for beet, without any grain
and the meat was superior. Ten tC
fifteen tons per acre, of good feed
may thus be obtained. Thought the
growing of sorghum for feed was more
profitable than TOR syrup, where il
has to be hauled three or four miles
to be manufactured.
Messrs. Fetters, Clark and White
made remarks similar in tenor, bear
ing testimony to the proftableness Of
sorghum culture, both for feeding
purposes and for syrup.
Reference having been made to the
question of the supposed improve
ment of the common wild strawberry
by being grown in proximity to the
Wilson's Albany, as indicated by
specimens exhibited by Mr.. Snider at
the last meeting, several members ex.
pressed their views on the same.
Mr.. Stalter thought there mi ght be
a chance of an Improvement Of the
kind mentioned. from the impregna
tion of the wild blossom by the faller
from that of the Wilson. ......
Mr.. Gravctt expressed similar views
Messrs. Clark and Fetters took The
opposite ground. that fruits were un
changed byproximily, except through
the secd otherwise there must soor
be a perfect chaos in our fruits, Sucf
change would not be apparent except
in fruit raised from seed thus i'm
prognatcd.
Mr.. Ewing called attention to the
change produced in corn the same
season in which it is planted, by being
grown close to distinct variety.
Mr.. Clark was of opinion that ir
such cases the grain planted had beer
impregnated the previous season by
the variety to which it was apparent
ly changed.
On motion, the rules were supend
ed, and Emanuel Giesy proposed by
Mr.. Fetters, and duly elected mem
ber by vote of the Society.
On motion of Mr.. Fetters, it wat
resolved, that a committee Of five bt
appointed and announced by thu
Chair at the next meeting, whose du'
ty it shall be to visit vineyards in tht
vicinity and wherever convenient, anc
to report in general upon the condi
ton of the same, with such matters o
interest in connection with the crol
now growing may be deemed worthy
of note.
On motion, the following subjec
was adopted for discussion at the mex
meeting: The grape crop of the pres
cnt season, and the peculiarities at
tending it. f5
Fruits exhibited -aa
By Judge Ewing = Cherries, fo
name--a handsome and apparently
fine variety-not recognized.
Rv Mr. Fetters-C Cherries Cum
berand and "Deicate (Kistland' 8
very fine.
By Mr.. Clark - Wilson's Alban.
strawberry plants, with the frui
thereon-with remarks as to its su
periority for common culture.
I 7 On motion, the Society adjourned
.,nt Pop