The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1874-11-28

GUNPowDER AGRICULTURAL CLUB.-One wht
| is unacquainted with the operations and bene
| fits of Farmers Club would be surprised anG
delighted if he should attend series of the
meetings of the Gunpowder Agricultural Club
Each meeting becomes more interesting thar
the last. close observer cannot fail to mark
the improvement that characterizes its pro
ceedings. This Club met on Saturday last in
its regular monthly meeting at the residence
of John d. Matthews. Proceedings were com
menced by appointing Sam'l M. Price, foreman
The proceedings of the last meeting held at Mr.
Matthews were read and were full of interest
ing information on the subject Of "selecting
seed corn, wheat, oats, rye, clover and timothy
The Club was then conducted to field OF wheat
near the house. About half of it lays to the
| north and the other half to the south. The
wheat was sown broad cast and put in with a
three horse cultivator. Mr.. Matthews is ex-
| perimenting with "Whitelock's Vegetator" and
"Bone." They are sown on alternate lands
across the field in proportionate qualities, hav-
ing different quantities to different localities
Thus far the "Whtelock Vegetator" has the adj
| vantage in the appearance of the wheat. The
| ground appears in good order and the wheat
looks promising We were conducted to an
other wheat field of bottom land which was
seeded in the corn and on which o similar ex.
| pertinent is being tried with a similar result
thus far. We were shown potato patch plant
ed tor early potatoes next year. Mr.. Matthews
informed us that freezing in the ground would
not destroy the vitality OF the potato as it thaw-
ed gradually with the ground We were taken
to large hay house where several hundred
pounds of hay had been thrown on wagon for
the purpose of showing the Club the operations
of hay fork. Along the whole length of the
hay house wooden railway of slight construc-
ton is attached to the comb of the roof. In the
centre of the hay house there is stationary
pulley attached, which is held fast by two
blocks secured to the railway. long rope is
attached to the blocks containing this stationa-
ry pulley, which drops down to the wagon be-
low, having a movable pulley attached to it
there, then running back again and over the
pulley at the top, thence to the end of the hay
house over a third pulley, then to the ground
under fourth pulley where horse is attach
ed. small rope is then run over stationary
pulley and tied to the block pulley at the top.
The other end of this rope is attached to the
fork. The fork is lowered to the wagon and Sc
cured in the hay. The horse at the other end
of the rope pulls up. The fork rises to the
comb of the roof where it strikes spring and
loosens the block pulley, which rolls along the
railway to the end Of the house. The manager
of the fork standing on the wagon With a small
rope in his hand gives it jerk when the fork
lets the hay fall. He then pulls the other end
of the rope and brings the block pulley back to
its place in the centre of the building. Its OPP
Grafton is complete in every particular and
very satisfactory in its work. We were con-
Quoted to the barn. which is large frame
building with ample and omfortable stabling
below for large number of horses and cattle
Then there is large ovcrjetting shed shielded
from the north and west winds for the protec
ton of cattle. There is pure stream of spring
water running through the barn yard. At one
end is an extensive house for the reception and
protection of farm implements of which Mr..
Matthews has a large and credtable variety
Then the wagon shed and corn crib and grana-
ry are at the other end of the barn. The floor
of the corn crib is laid with Stats to prevent the
rats from making harbor. The dairy is snug
and near it is a comfortable wash house and
good living apartments over 1T. And then we
came to the ice house which was built last
year of stone and coy cred with an ornamental
roof. II is about twenty feet deep and twelve
or fifteen broad. On side is shaft sur
rounded by boards in which meats, vegetables,
&C., can be lowered by means of a pulley to
keep them fresh and cool until used.
Again at the house, the proceedings of the
last meeting of the Club were read. We were
informed at this stage that there was very in
teresting proceeding about to commence in an
other room. We adjourned to the other apart
ment to partake of banquet that was every
way inviting and agreeable and Of which every
one showed his high appreciation by putting
himself outside of as much of it as is good for
one At work again the Club began the dis
cussion of the question "How should apple
orchards be planted and managed, and how
can secure the greatest profit from the crop?"
The discussion could not have failed to interest
philosopher, statesman, merchant, lawyer. doc
tor or parson. 1t extended over wide range
and touched many points of interest. But the
portion that gave most information and amuse-
ment to the members was the experience of O
number of gentlemen in making cider vinegar.
This was considered by some the most proita-
BILE of all results from orchards. We regret that
we are unable to give our readers the benefit of
the details of the experience of the members on
this very important topic. We know it could
not fail to prove profitable information.
The propriety Of appointing committee on
criticism at each meeting, whose business would
be to make critical observation of every thing
about the premises, was discussed and laid over
for next meeting under the requirements of the
constitution.
We were again invited into the adjoining
room where our eyes and appetites were feast
ed. The refreshment table presented an APP
pearauce that did great credit to the skill and
taste of the hostess. A pyramid that was grace
full and beautiful in every particular adorned
the centre of the table, which was loaded with
choice viands of all kinds
At l04 o'clock the Club adjourned to meet at
the residence OF Nelson R. Miles, Dec. 10th, to
discuss the question GLOW can we to best ad-
vantage economist in the matter of fencing ?"