National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-21
AGRICULTURE.
DECEMBER MEETING OF WOODLAND
FARMERS CLUB.

EAA4AG4ho N4Oos
On Saturday, the 18th, we took passage with
Captain HOllingshead, steamer Arrow, and
landed at Mt. Vernon, to attend the regular
monthly meeting OF the Woodlawn Club, at the
splendid farm OF John Ballenger near Mt. Yer
non, and adjoining the hne farm OF DR.. Z. p.
Rowland. The day was fair, and the attendance
Of the farmers and their wives and daughters
large; Chalkley Gillingham, president, and N.
W. Persons, secretary.
DISCUSSION ON FERTILIZERS.
John BallenEer read an instructive article
from the Ameriean Farmer, containing useful in
formation on this subject.
u. S. Curtiss read and commented upon a very
instructive article from Siebigs works. on potash,
ginia. The president eOncurred in the sentiments
presented.
@. Lukens read brief report in favor Of barn.
yard manure, next bOne-dust and lime; also, ad-
Yocating thorough plowing and farming. The
larger portion Of The society expressed the opinion
that stone lime was better than shell lime for
Ed. Mason read q brief statement on the use Of
lime and the various modes Of applying Tin
Albert Harrison read an article from the Agrt-
cultuTfst, showing that large crops had been
raised for years on the same land without manure,
but by the thorough cultivation of the soil. He
stated his own experience as being favorable to
liberal use and ploWinK in Of clover.
q. BOughton advocated tOp-dressing of turf and
fields with manure, and plowing in clover. He
believed mulching and top-dressing the best
mode
DR.. Davis gave an account Of how his father
renovated q WoIn-Out farm, in central New York,
and made it fertile by rotation, topdressing, and
clover plowed in every three years.
SUPPER ANNOUNCED.
A sumptuous supper was provided by the wife
and daughter Of our host, which was highly en-
jOyed by all.
G. A. whitbeck gave a satisfactory account Of
his successful practice with clover in Ne" York
&. LuEens gave notice of the meeting of the
d, s, Curtiss stated his experience and observa-
tons in evidence Of the great value Of ploWinE In
clover to restore and preserve the fertility Of
land, and as preparation for wheat.
REPORT OF CRITICAL COMMITTEE.
Ed. Mason made q tattering report Of the fine
management and condition Of Mr.. BallenRer's
farm, giving It as the opinion Of the committee
that he was one OF the very best farmers in the
q. iukens also made a brief report on the cred
liable condition OF the stock on this farm.
John Mason wanted to know why we did not
oftener hear from the Ballengers In the meetings
Of the society, when their superior and successful
farming would be so instructive. He alsS spoke
and ashes, in farming, and suggested the mode
and practice Of grinding and dissolvinE shells in
s. Pullman gave an account of large corn he had
seen in Pennsylvania years ago.
STONE LINE.
Suggestions were made by different members
in favor Of procuring Limestone from up the river
being preferable to transporting the burnt lime.
A committee OF three, to take the matter in hand,
was appointed, consisting of r. F. Roberts, Q.
Lukens and V. Baker, with instructions 10 re-
port at next meeting
Critical committee for next meeting-Samuel
Pullman, Albert Harrison and V. Baker.
On rotation OF crops q committee OF four was
appointed, to make Individual reports, consisting
o. W. Walton, Stacy snOWden, L. b. Stiles and
r. +. Roberts.
DAIRY COWS AND FEED.
The secretary read an extract from newspa-
per on the subject Of Imitation butter, and about
middlemen for the sale of milk and depot.
ID. ). Curtiss read q statement from j. W VIII
kinson, showing the large adv antage Of cooking
food for milk cows over feeding 1t uncooked, TAX
| ing less feed and affUrding more milk.
After some conversation on various matters the
place for Dext meeting was settled to be at the
pleasant residence Of r. F. Roberts, near Alex
andria, on the 10th of January next, when the
public are invited to attend. PoToMAC.