The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1872-06-22
L0C4L lIATTERS.


deligbtful pleasure to attend the monthly
meeting of the Gunpowder Agricultural Club
at the residence of Aquila Matthews, Esq, on
Saturday afternoon and evening OF last week.
Abraham Scott, Esq, was appointed Foreman
for the occasion and Thomas Gorsuch, Esq,
Secretary. The residence of Mr.. Matthews is
situated Immediately on the York Turnpike
about eighteen miles from Baltimore city. He
has a farm that is beautifully situated for
farming purposes. II is gently rolling, having
undulation enough to carry off the rain fall
and all Surplus water, and laying to the sun so
that it can get the advantages Of the warm
lug influence of the orb Of day.
The Club assemblies as early in the afternoon
as is convenient for its members, appoints
a foreman and rambles the farm, visits
the barn and outbuiidings, inspects the
crops, the stocE and farming implements, asks
questions about each as circumstances suggest
them, and eriticises whatever about any of them
does not eomport with the ideas of any of the
members. II they find an extra piece of corn,
wheat or grass. the members make inquiry OF
the proprietor what fertilizers he puts upon
this or what particular pains he took with it, or
upon what grounds may its better quality be
accounted for.
Whatever new idea there is about its culture
and growth is thus communicated to the Club
aud the members in discussing it throw yet
new light upon the subject and add new in
terest to the culture and growth of the parti-
eular crop in question The fences are in
spected. A general and thorough investiga-
ton OF the premises is made by the Club, criti-
cisms made and remedies suggested for whatever
defect is found about the farm or the farming.
If gate is out Of order, the attention OF the
Club is called 70 it ane its repair urged upon
\ the props efer. = laAniRg Implements are
scattered around loose inquiry Is made why
they are there and why they ARE not put IN
their proper places after beingused-
TIE Climb Is e,mpospd of fifteen members.
And when fifteen good farmers go over a mans
premises on ar investigating tour AID with the
determination to see and erticise all defects
and drawbacks, not only the proprietor him
self, but each mem Der ofthe Club gets the benefit
of the ideas and practical experience of the en-
tire number. This is monthly multiplying
each mans information by fifteen. 1t is not
difficult to see that by this means the Club
cannot fail To be Of inealcuable benefit to its
members and the progress of the farming in
terest of the community in which they live.
In passing over field every members eye is
alert for the presence of filth, weeds &c. When
one is discovered inquiry is made of its name,
how II comes, what are its characteristics, what
the best means of DISCRIMINATING it and all
other information connected with its history.
1t is really interesting to any one-farmer or
not-who desires TO be informed upon things
of this sort to listen to the information that
flows from those whose attention has been
bestowed upon these things. One would be
surprised at the number of different kinds of
weeds that can be found upon the premises of
good farmer and one is more surprised and
delighted at the abundant amount of informa-
ton that is brought out from those whose oc-
equations and attention have made them fam-
liar with these pests to the farmer and the best
modes Of Kidding premises Of them.
The present season is very uniavorabie one
for the inspection of farm. The appearance
of crops at this time is no criterion to mans
knowledge, skill and success in farming The
Club inspected a field of grass that last year
Welded over two tons to the average acre. 1t
was selected last year as the grass for the trial
of mowers. The exceeding drowth of this
season renders this field of par excellence last
year scarcely worth the cutting this year.
After inspecting the premises the Club re-
paired to the house and organized fol- business.
Thomas GOrsuch, Esq, read the proceedings OF
the preceding meeting, which was held at the
residence Of Edwin Scott. Esq. The proceedings
showed that at that meeting the question of
Harvesting the hay crop" was discussed, and
revealed much information upon the subject
that could not fail to interest any farmer who
has m eye to his business.
When the proceedings had been read and
adopted the Foreman then called for the reading
of the question for the evenings discussion,
which was cat what stage of the wheat, rye
and oats crop should it be harvested" The
Foreman called upon the member nearest him
on his right for his experience upon the sub
ieet aud upon the next until all had spoken
upon the subject. When three or four had
spoken upon the question, the good hostess in
vited the entire company to tea, where
plenteous and delightful repast had ample
Justice done it by every member Of the com
PAW, particularly your hum ole servant. The
hearty participation in this part of the pro-
ceeding g is the best compliment that can be
paid the hosts
Tea over the discussion again began and
was continued until every member had com
muaicated his information upon the subject to
all the company. No farmer present could fail
to be instructed or better prepared to prudently
harvest these crops after hearing the members
relate their experience upon the subject. By
endeavors to delight her guests, again invited
us to take refreshments. Ice cream, delicious
Strawberries and delightful cake were partaken
of in a manner that attested every member
and guests due appreciation of the hostess and
her delightful entertainment
Through with this, the committee previously
appointed for the purpose OF ascertaining the
names of members who were willing TO COM
pete for the best acre Of corn, made its report.
The members whose names were handed in are
Abraham Scott Edwin Scott Joseph Bosley.
Samuel NJ. Price and Joshua Gorsuch. IF we
have omitted any, we will cheerfully make the
cofrection.)
The question "What is the best power, horse,
mule or oxen for farm use.' was selected for
discussion at the next meeting.
The Club adjourned at about 81 o'clock P. NJ,
to meet again on July 18th ct the residence of
John D. Matthews, Esq, near Oregon Furnace.
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