Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-12-21
EVENING STAR.
DOUBLE SHEET.
Abe Weeaaawn Farwer., Cl.s
(Reporssd for ne Stovl

tRepertsd for Tie Stav.l
The club met pursu ant TO sdjournment NJ the
house or Robt. r. Roberts, Fairfax coanty. Va
on the Iath inst, Chaikley Gininshan, presi.
dent, N. Pearson, secretary. There ware
twenty-five members present, and about as
many ladies, who held "big talk" by themselves.
NATIONAL.
A Communication from the Commissicner of
Agricultural recommending that annual cleo
tior be held in May for the convenience OF the
department In the distribution OF seeds. IL was
nication from the National Agricultural Con-
gress Recommending the petitioning OF Con
gress LOT an International system Of crop and
weathsr reports, We. received and discussed
e. 4. Mason objected 70 the appointment OF sny
more national connisious.h 20 maize fat
places for old fossil, on the ground OF The use
lessness OF he..r work 30 farmers. DR.. Heviand
claiming that the present heather reports though
published for the benefit OF shipping, had been
of great use to farmers and that tn. reports we're
generally correct, and bad saved large amounts
OF grain, besides preventing many disastera
Moreover, that it was not time to grumbIe IL
Congress felt inclined 70 bring science 20 the
assistance OF agriculture: The petition WAS cir
culated and generally signed. A request from
the Agricultural Congress TO the club to send
them delegate and i've dollars WAS one too
many and was tabled
DOC AND PENCE LAWS.
III was announced that in addition to the re-
peal OF the dog law, il was mediate to repesl
the fence Law, now in successful operation in
many oountiIs. general indignation meeting
seemed TO be the result, and committee was
appointed TO look into the matter immediately
and If necessary, At once demonstrates. in the
name OF the club, against the proposed repeal.
Ii we are left without fence Law our only re-
source against trespAssing animals Is secret yio
ence, As strychnine and shot are our only de-
fence against proving dogs.
SUPPER.
The club having enjoyed Q rather extended
growl after their long walks and rides, the boun-
rad ~
now invited them, WAS particularly soothing and
refreshing. Ii young ladies would study OF their
mothers the art Of preparing plain, healthy, and
yet delectzble dishes, such as were set before u.s.
instead Of singing "Who will care for mother
now and "Put me in my little bed" what a
-. But this Is not agriculture. Supper fin
isheo' the ciuo were IN good humor to hear the
The critical committee being called upon,
reported that they found the gates, fences, etc,
looking trim. The cabbage, lettuce and aspar-
sgus beds looked well. The cabbage looked
somewhst blue from the late dry, cold weather.
refuse salt, at the rate of three tons to the acre
Result, killing of weeds and fine growth of
asparagus This salt was obtained at s. per ton,
In Alexandra. The colts, cattle, hay, and
grain received complimentary mention.
GENERAL z. r.. LAW.
Col. Curtiss spoke Of the proprety Of petit
railroad law, as a protection against the insult
ferable extortiODs of monopoles, from which
the farmer Is the chief sufferer. Several mem
bers complained OF the Baltimore aud Potomac
railroad and the Orange, Alexandra and Ma
nsssas railroad demanding extortionste fares
and the charge OF 80 cents between Washington
and Alexandria was agreed to be particularly
obnoxious, and would, If not discontinued, be
made the grounds of test case.
NEW STEAMBOAT.
DIR. Rowland said that the question n al been
seitated of putting new light -draught steam
boat upon the river that could touch at any
landing, and accommodate the whole river
country from oecoqusn to Washington. Sach
steamboat, drawing but 20 inches, stern
wheel, and capable Of a speed Of II TO 20 mites
an hour, could be built at Alexandra, and
finished for $4,000, including a reserve fuad
lie SAID that II the members Of the club would
move in the matter, the sum could easily be
raised. - 900 has been promised already by the
movers OF the project. Ii was deter mined to
give the matter a favorable consideration.
PARM IMPLEMENTS
came next under discussion. z. L. Mason
thought the farmers were badly used by the
manufacturers. Things were poorly made.
tective, and tool handles of slant grained wood
He thought the makers should be held respon-
Sible. One Of the members thought good deal
lay in the user. Tools were neglected. left i'm
sun and rain, and soon for want OF paint and
care they dropt to pieces. He recommended
the use OF petroleum and coal tar. DIR. Ho wlsnd
said that gum shellac, dissolved in alcohol. was
good to mix with coal tar to make q good dry
ing, glossy, and serviceable paint. Some one
here suggested that the WOodlswn school house
v IN.
The idea was well received, and called forth q
discussion as TO whether q school house was a
farm implement sub-soil pillow was recon-
mended as the best road breaker. liz acts As a
pick pulled by horsepower. The report of the
committee on plows WAS postponed for another
trial.
FISH GUANo-INTRREsTING LECTURE.
Some time since DIR. Rowland purchased 81
the North some 50 tons of pressed fish for the
club, at $40 per ton, delivered at Alexandra.
DIR. Howisnd said that perhaps the best way to
m slrR n hnss ahafa hWf he
use of sulphuric acid. Ii might be spread on
the land just as il is, and last two years or
more, but dissolved by sulphurc acid and mixed
with peat or earth IL would cover larger area
and be more directly available. The Doctor
here poured OF. of sulphuric acid into pitchef
and upon il IL (huid) OF. Of water. This mix
ture, he continued, is now nearly NJ boiling
heat, though each article was cold q few mo-
ments before. They occupy together less space
than they did apart, and il is = law of matter
that as body increases its density, Ii throws
OF its latent heat So iron becomes red hot by
pounding. This acid should be handled with
the greatest caution, and care should be taken
not to inhale the fumes Of the mixture or let it
get in the eyes. Aqua ammonia is good to remove
it from the clothing, and little in water
to wash the hands after using. The pro.
portion of acid should be, according to
the manufacturers, one carbOy Of 10 pounds
(3h a4c. per pound) with three times Its bulk in
water to go pounds of the pressed fish. Mix in
a tight wooden box and leave for a day or two
and then dry IL with dry earth or peat. The
Doctor placed q handful OF the fish in glass jar,
and poured the diluted sulphuric acid upon It.
From q clear liquid IL became muddy and thick.
as it acted upon the mass. This would, after
awhile, be continued, become thick mass, and
needs only to De mixed with dried earth or
muck to become ft for use. The fish guano,
crude or manipulated, should never be mixed
with manure, or lime, or ashes, as either would
tend to liberate the ammonis. Plaster would be
good to mix with it, but is little better, If any,
than dry muck.
These Illustrations Of DIR. Howlsnd's are OF
great interest and use, and are always welcomed
as the most agreeable part Of the meetings.
paper on the value of the agricultural
paper was read by j. i. Bramhsll, which
ELECTED q discussion on the value OF recording
failures as we'll as successes.
DIR. Rowland offered, IL any lady member Of
the club would contribute for the next meeting
a paper on injurious insects, he would illustrate
it with enlarged photographs OF the insects she
proposed to describe.
AFTER some music the club adjourned TO meet
at CORTLAND Lukins' on the 18th OF January
And so closed this interesting meeting Of this
model Farmers Club. HOLLYWOOD.
RAILROAD MATTERS MARYLAND.-Yes-
terday afternoon the contract granted to M essrs.
Crowley, Dickinson s. Co., OF Baltimore, for
the grading, masonry, and bridging of the two
divisions, q miles in length, OF the Baltimore
and Drum Point railroad. W concluded. sign-