The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-07-23
Correspondence of the Journal.

Correspondence of the Journal.
The woodiawn Farmers Club, and the Poto-
mac Fruit Growers Associaion-An Excur-
sion on the Potomac-Eusines and Pleasure
United.
A most unique and delightful excursion
came off to-day, on the Potomac, from
Washington to Quantico. The Woodlawn
Farmers Club, including many of the most
prominent and successful farmers of Fairfax
county, have a way of uniting business with
pleasure that is worthy Of general imita-
ton. Once a month they assemble at the
house Of SOME member Of the club, discuss
the most interesting questions in agrlcul-
ture, and compare notes in their practical
experience. Combined with this meeting
is a social feature. The farmers bring their
wives and young people, and when the
business is done, a good supper awaits-no
less relished by the fact that the hardy sons
of toll are waited upon by a dozen or two
bright. eyed and intelligent maidens.
It is a jolly good time for old and young.
Rational enjoyment and improvement are
well combined. Wisdom meets with
pleasure around the liberal board spread
with the best bounty of the farm, you can
not imagine anything more goodly and
healthy for mind and body than this little
episode of the monthly club meeting. Yes
terday was the regular monthly meeting.
The appointed place was at the farm of DR..
Il. G. Rowland, known more to the public
as q most reliable and successful dentist in
Washington. DR.. Rowland is also a thor
ough horticulturist, and WINS fine farm
on the Potomac. He conceived the happy
idea of a river trip instead Of a meeting on
land. So he chartered the steamer
.sZaidee," loaded her with ice cream, lem
onade and other good things, and invited the
farmers and fruit growers and their friends
to hold their meeting and enjoy a social lime.
The day was glorious, the refreshments ex-
cellent and the company, numbering some
three hundred, a very fine one.
In addition to the regular members of
the club, were representatives of the press,
and several ladies' and gentlemen of note.
Among others we observed Col. ID. /. Cur
tiss. of the Farmers Gazette, a veteran agri-
cultural writer, Messrs. Tower & Haven, of
the Washington Chronicle, Mr.. Bramhall the
accomplished secretary of the Fruit Grow
ers' Association, Mr.. Chase, of Washing
ton, superintendent of sewerage, and Col.
James +. Lewis, of Arkansas, a gallant SOL
der in the late war, and now one of the
leading business men of the West. These,
with their ladies, were invited guests, and
enjoyed the occasion greatly.
Dinner was served in the most charming
style at Sandy Point. Some dined on land,
others on the boat as they chose, and each
contributing from their ample baskets sub
stantials and l~uxuries such as our Wood
lawn club people know so well how to pre-
pare. !,
Our excellent friend Albert Harrison and
a musical group enlivened the party with
select songs. Dinner over, the club was
called together by its president, Chalkly
Gillingham, and the regular business trans
acted. Mr.. Cox, of the Treasury Depart
ment at Washington, presented at some
length the claims of the new order, the
Patrons of Husbandry. They aim to
dignity and elevate agriculture and to secure
cooperation among farmers in sales, purcha-
ses, and the distribution of new and valua-
BILE varieties of plants. 1t was agreed that
the Order should be endorsed and en-
couraged everywhere. A fine selection of
fruits was presented by Mr.. Glllingham and
discussed with relish. Resolutions were
passed thanking Mr.. Rowland for his gene
rous treat. The Importance of increasing
the accommodations for freight and passen-
gers along the river front was also
made the subject of conversation. No
river in the country exceeds 1T as a
medium of communication, but it is
behind in local trade. A light draft steam
err, swift and strong, capable of carrying
five hundred passengers and ten to twenty
tons of freight, is greatly needed and aDoatd
pay. 1t would not only give the farmers
along the river a regular and reliable means
of communication, but would induce hun
dreds from the city to occupy and improve
the splendid sites along the Potomac, as
country homes. A company has been or
ganized to secure the building or purchase
Of a boat of this character, and next season
we may hope to see it running from Wash
ington to Glymont.
The return trip was delightful. The
full-orbed moon looked placidly down on
the broad river, and soitened into harmony
every feature of the landscape. With hearts
lightened of many a care by this day of
innocent recreation, we glided along over
the peaceful waters basking in silver light.
AS one little group after another left at
each landing place, or were bestowed in lit
tie boats that put out from the farms to
meet them, merry cheers were given.
With thankful and satisfied hearts, and
healthfully wearied bodies looking back
upon a good, day well spent, all returned
safely to their homes at early bed time.
Now, this is an example for our farmers
every where. We want more days for rec
reation. Days of rest, not to lounge
round a village store or tavern, but spent
with the wife and children in the woods or
on the river or by the sea. Neiglborhoods
in which these social habits are cult
waited, will always succeed better as