Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-05-10
Knox County Farmers. CInb.

The first meeting of this body, since its organ
ization, was held at the court house yesterday.
the President c. w Mabry, Esq, in the chair.
The attendance was light, but those present
manifested quite an interest in the proceedings.
Mr.. Charlton, the Secretary of tho Club, Of
fered the following resolution
Rcsolred, That blue grass is very essential
crop for East Tennessee.
Mr.. Charlton followed with a few well direct
cd remarks, sustaining his resolution.
Mr. Mabry called j. T. Doyle to the chair
and proceeded to take issue with Mr. Charlton.
He thought blue grass was an enemy to any
country, unless in the rocky soil in some por-
tions of Kentucky. 1t was not so good for pas
turc or hay as orchard grass, and when once set
on a farm it could never be got rid of He pre-
fsrred herds grass also.
Capt. John VI. Harris thought that blue grass
was of great advantage, particularly on rolling
land with thin soil. The blue grass prevented
it from washing
lie was followed by Mr.. Mabry again who
gave his views in detail on the subject in high
ly interesting way, and was listened to with
marked attention. He said that blue grass
yields no hay and but little pasturage. Orchard
grass comes on earlier in the season and con-
tinues at least one month later. Besides, blue
grass could never be exterminated. 1t was the
best thing to keep fence-corners clean rs brers
and shrubbery could not thrive in n blue grass
turf 1t would kill anything except walnut
tree.
The experience of W. 7. Smith ESQ., led him
to look with much favor on the theory advanced
by Esquire Mabry. He had n meadow in
which blue grass had grown for fifteen years
The timothy had given away before it on thin
soil, but the timothy had held its own in better
soil.
Mr.. Charlton admitted the FEASIBILITY Of
Esquire Mabry's forcible argument, but thought
the question should be modified somewhat, and
set for discussion at the next regular meeting
which was done The question for discussion
at the next meeting then, will be, "What is the
best grass for pasture in East Tennessee?'
AE..l>., suggest-u ~ a. suitaDie rue@-
ton for discussion, What is the cause of mango
on hogs and what is the bestremcdy for it?
Capt Harris thought no question would elicit
greater interest among farmers than tho cause
and what is preventive or cure for hog
cholera?
Esquire Mabry believed that the question
| proposed by him embraced the one suggested
by Capt Harris. He gave it as his opinion, tina
| lice on hogs was afrutful source of disease anC
! if they could be kept clear Of these vermin hog
cholera would become unknown. He though
the same was true of fowls. He had been wash
ing his hogs and chickens, just before rains
with strong soap sud-, which he found to be very
! eficacious in removing lice.
Mr.. Charlton moved that committee of three
be appointed to get up regular printed pro
gramme for the next meeting. The motion wa
adopted and Messrs. Charlton, Rule and W. 7
Smith appointed as the committe.
Esquire Mabry suggested the question Of ''sur
face manuring as an interesting and impor
tant one for future discussion.
The matter of agricultural newspapers wa
discussed, and the Importance of such Literature
was admitted. The american Agricultnraiis
and Moore Rural Ne,c Yorker, of New Y orl,
and the american Farmer Of Baltimore, wer
highly recommended.
On motion of G. w. Mabry, the thanks o
the club were rendered to Mr. Rule, Of tn
| CHRoNIcLE, for his interest in the club, mani
tested by being present to report and take par
in its proceedings.
On motion, the meeting adjourned to NEE
again on the first Saturday in June, mt whic
time the first question for discussion will be
What is the best grass for pasturage in Ea'
Tennessee? A full attendance of farmers
earnestly desired.