Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-02-24

Joseph L. Phillips, West Grove; Thomas
Gawthrop, West Grove; Mark j. Cox, West
Grove.
The West Grove Farmers Club, having
sent number of questions for discussion, a
rambling debate ensued, when
Mr.. Turner said, we miss 1t by recon-
mending experiments which individuals
could experiment on to better advantage
that the farmer could experiments which
run through long series of years, and
which no individual farmer could afford to
undertake, should be tested by the farm.
Don't let us run into cutting and curing
hay, and other minor things which do not
require tests. Upon inquiry, he was in
formed by Mr.. Harvey, shat he had made
over 400 experiments during the last year.
Mr.. T. expressed hisl astonishment at the
number of experiments, and eulogized Mr..
H. for the manner in which the affairs OF
the farm were conducted.
Howard Preston suggested that the farm
should be supplied with apparatus for cook
ing food for cattle. 1t was as necessary as
any other experiment. Individuals might
do it, but don't. 1t would be important to
know whether cooked food was more pro-
fitable than raw food. Mr.. Turner said,
everybody admits that it is profitable. Mr..
Preston wanted to know how profitable, or
whether profitable enough for general use.
Ezra Gray thought that 1t was proper to
make experiments with small, as well as
large things. He knew that cooked food
was the best. Can. it be ma de.proftable TO
cook for one pig, or number of pigs; one
COW, or a number OF cowsf
After discussion in regard to the best
manner of distributing the report OF
the Board of Trustees of the Agricultural
College, of which there was great scarcity,
Mr.. Harvey wanted to know what we had
best do to invigorate our exhausted soil.
The original fertility had disappeared, and
it seemed impossible to bring 1t back again
to its former state; and also, what is the
best kind of live stock to use upon the farm?
Mr.. Conard suggested clover as the best
antidote for exhausted land it kept the
ground shaded and moist. H...o
Mr.. Stevens always top dressed with his
manure it brought better crops, and was
protection to the ground.
Mr.. Paxson also top dressed, and con-
Cured with Mr.. Stevens. LILY
A gentleman remarked that he always
manured on the top; could give no chemi-
cal reason why it was best he did not wish
to be thought superstitious, but he always
watched the signs. There are times when
manure spread upon grass will rise as the
grass grows. at other times it will sink to
| the earth. He knew nothing about astron-
omy or the signs of the Zodiac, but he knew
when the points of the moon pointed up
wards aud when they pointed downwards.
Mr.. Turner moved that the member be
presented with an extra copy OF the report,
and said that it was owing to the condition
| in which it was spread upon the grass,
whether it rose or sunk.
| The gentleman remarked that lie had
seen boards laid on the grass rise as the
grass grew, while at other ii mes the same
| board would sink to the earth and kill the
grass. ,Several gentleman corroborated this.
| Mr.. Paxson thought the farm should ex-
pertinent on the application of barn-yard
manure as top dressing. He had hauled
great many loads Of manure from Phila-
delphia and spread upon his grass; some
sank and some arose; never depended on
the signs.
Chalkley Harvey did not know what our
clubs were for If not to investigate such
matters. The rottenfrocky sell at Chadd's
Ford when hauled and spread along the
railroad will produce white clover.
Thomas Harvey wanted seme suggestions
as to the best Spring crops, to be ploughed
down as q manure for fall crops. Also, the
best wav to apply lime and salt se -. q
nure. IL was generally applied o. = ,hs rnt;s %a,
Of two of Lime and one Of go q, tns raue
said to be as good as ste -, Sa.s ~ We, wv
was effectual in killing -ole manure ans
dairying. There ..on should be given u
cattle on the was q number of jersey
he had bee farm, and some Guernseys
produc, n informed Of a native heifer thai
sea- ed II lbs of butter week, the frs
,on, and is the second. I'D
Messrs. Preston and Chalkley Harvey
concurred in the idea, that in order to vita.
4 lie the land, we must plough less, and feed
0 more; the land wants vegetable manures
; There was too much cultivated. Hungarian
grass was recommended for ploughing under
There being no other business, the Mana
gprs adjourned