Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-05-28
FARMERS IN COUNCIL.
Meeting Of the Knox County Farmer
Climb.


Club.
On yesterday, at II o'clock, meeting OF the
Farmers Club of this county was held ut the
court house.
G. W. Mabry, Esq, was called to the Chair,
and Rev. G. w. Charlton, appointed secretary.
Captain j. S. Boyd expressed ms gratilca-
ton at seeing so many farmers aSselnoleu 70 70
gether for mutual Improvement IN the NOBLE
calling in which they were engaged, when they
could proft by each others experience, and
while on this subject would like to hear some
thing on the subject of raising grass
MT Mabry impaired the desired information
stating that it was his custom to harrow the seed
in, roll it and apply one bushel ofplaster to the
acre.
It was moved and carried that this Farmers
Club be auxiliary to the Farmers Convention
of East Tennessee
Mr.. Charlton read the constitution prepared
for the government of the club, which, on mo-
ton, was referred to a special committee of
five for approval or amendment. The follow
ing gentlemen were appointed on said commit
tee G w Charlton j T Doyle, Jas S Boyd
DR. B Frazier and Samuel Cathrell.
The President stated that some time ago he
had received letter from the Commissioner of
Agriculture, at Washington, offering seeds of
different kinds, and he hoped that hereafter any
person receiving rare seeds or plants would cul-
tivate them with care and let the result be
known.
LIT. FRAZIER gave MS views III favor OF an
early organization. The Chair conceded with
bis views and expressed the belief that the in
telligent farmers of the county would cheerful
ly devote few hours each month to counseling
one with another on matters in which each and
all were vitality interested.
Esquire Doyle stated that fourishing Farm
ers' club had been organized south of the river
composed of residents in the 18th and 10Th
civil districts of this county, and in Sewer
county.
Mr.. Charlton moved that the regular meet
ings Of the club be held at the court house on
the last Saturday in each month. Carried.
Mr.. Cattrell, whose skill in the cultivation of
watermelons is well known, gave his expert
ence on the subject He used stable manure
compOsted with leaves or straw in preference to
commercial fertilizers. He did not like plas-
ter, though others might. He believed in the
vine having a thrifty growth, but was opposed
| to forcing them unnaturally, as they did not do
| half so WELL On being asked what was good to
would do so, but it must be renewed. His ex-
perience was that meal or anything that would
| stick to the vines would do as well, if it pre-
vented the bug from taking hold. He prepared
his ground with the hoe and generally was sue
cessful. The largest melon he raised weighed
| ifty-two and one-half pounds, but his crops
averaged well.
Mr.. Mabry broke up the land for watermel-
| onS IN the fall and in the spring, using manure
| each time. He believed in clipping the vines
| when too luXuriant. He agreed with Mr. Cat
melons were better for seed than those of large
size.
| The discussion then took general turn and
| after very interesting session the meeting adj
journed, subject to the resolution offered by
Mr.. Charlton.