National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-11-24
WOoDEAW8 FARMERS CLUB.
NOVEMBER MEETING.

eracing-We took passage on the AIFo"' S"P''
HOlImgshead, landed at Mount Vernon, and pro-
eeeded to the fine farm Of Richard Roberts, at
Woodlawn, Fairfax county, where gOOdly mum.
her of farmers, with their wives and daughters,
were assembled for the monthly meeting Of the
Woodlswn Club. Chslkley Dillingham; (presl-
dept) occupied the chair, and n. W. PieTson, sec
rotary, read the proceedings Of the last meeting.
Committees called for, not ready to report, In
teresting conversation was INDUCED in In regard
TO planting and pruning apple trees. Some mem
beTs thought twenty feet apart was tar enough.
The Chair thought thirty feet was necessary;
Some members advocated close pruning and
beading in. The Chair thought tho cross and in
terGering limbs should be cut cut, and favored
dow pruning He Thought MnesH ana mea9 Sols
thought corn and other hoed creps better, while
grass was better for old and bearing orchards.
The views, generally OF the president were
cOpcurred in by a majority of the members,
though some favored close planting.
Colonel ID. S. Curtiss read an article from the
Maryland FGrner, showing that early cut hay
and straw were more NUTRITIOUS and contained
more iat-meking properties than that later cut,
and was most valuable.
A. W. Harrison thought this an important sub
iect, and deserved attention and Investigation.
Other members spoke upon the subject, and ia
yoring 1t. 1t was thought more care should be
taken OF straw, and in cutting hay earlier than
p H. Troth read letter from George Mason,
stating that an effort was being made TO have the
fence law repealed at the next session Of the
Legislature, and Mr.. 7. thought efforts should be
nut forth to prevent the ClauKB.
After some discussion a motion for committee
was unanimously passed to get up a petition, and
takecharge OF the matter. The Chair appointed
as said committee p. II. Troth, q. Lukens and
w CffIlfngham, who soon prepared petition
against the change, which was at once signed by
every member.
cost OF the fences in the country.
D. S. Curtiss read an article from the London
JOUsHdI Of Horticulture on peach raising in Eng
land which describes the mode by which better
peaches are produced in that country, which con-
sists in thoroughly draining the land, preparing
proper soil, and thinning cut poor limbs and small
Most Of the members approved trimming oat
peor branches, and thinning out the fruit as de-
lhe Chair recommended it.
Valentine Baker said his pears were best when
the trees hung fullest OF fruit.
Taylor Blunt thought the difference in price
at our markets would not pay for the trouble Of
such work.
committee on the fence law brought in their
f. ii. Troth said earnest and immediate action
on this important subject was necessary, which
WAS seconded by most OF the members, all sign
ing the petition.
d. 5. Curtiss stated that he saw by the London
Economist that the price of " heat in England is
now down TO SOS. per quarter, which is lower
than usual, that paper stating that wheat had
not been lower but once in eight years; and that
the reason was that all other portions of the
world had sown larger acreage the past season
This caused several members to remark that
our American farmers must give increased atten-
ton TO other products, such as fruits, meats and
dairy business, which was c0ncurred in by most
and dissented IRON by some.
Ed. Mason thought most localities were not
favorable for fruit, and That the markets would
become OverstOcked.
The President thought fruit-growing was a
subject of great and increasing Importance in
this country.
e. Lukens said soil and locality had much to do
with il.
bandry, and thought we should have efficient pro-
lection from destruction by dogs.
Burning and preparing oyster shells for fer
tilizeTs was discussed at considerable length.
p. II. Troth said good burn would be secured
by plenty of wood, and drawing in the pile to-
ward the top, so that all would be burned.
John Ballenger always got good burn with
plenty Of wood, but thought too much burning
was not the best.
John Mason spoke at considerable length on
this subject. He had a good deal of experience.
He thought it better to break or grind them fine
than to burn them as burning set free and allowed
to escape some Of the best qualities Of the shells.
He thought mill for griding shells would pay in
this region. He advocated dissOlVing bones and
such things in acids or potash.
Ed. Mason thought few things were impossible.
Science might do much for us in a short space Of
time which nature occupied longer time TO ac-
cOmplish.
John Mason spoke eloquently and instructiyely
in favor of more attention TO growing and pre-
serving of forests of timber for future supply,
such as cedar, pine and hickory, with other kinds.
to enjoy il. A sumptuOus repast was supplied by
Mrs. Roberts and her daughters, to which all
paid the highest compliments.
The supper being disposed Of, the president
called the meeting to order for further business.
Much lively conversation was INDUCED in on the
subject Of the various practices Of manUring and
the respective cost ana profits Of different kinds
and modes.
The diagrams and descriptions of new lnyen-
and Sonposts were coz "a coarse manure
favorable attention from members, patented BY
Col. j. 5. CurtIss, of Washington, d. g.
The Chair appointed the following members to
make separate and individual reports at the next
meeting: On manures and fertilizers Of different
kinds, John Ballenger, Albert Hanson, G. Luz
kens and &. BoughtOn.
Ed. Mason was appointed to report on dairy
farming.
The Critical committee for the next meeting
are: F.. Mason, q. Lukens and Richard Roberts.
All feeling cheerful and hopeful that this had
been highly interesting meeting, one member
moved to adjourn, but IL was not seconded, and
the discussion on dairy stock and manures was
continued in an instructive manner for another
hour.
proved dairy cows in this section, and he thought
Il would pay to get better stock for that purpose
from abroad; which was approved by many mem
bers.
David Ferris thought it an important subject,
but that the manure question was the most i'm
pOTt2nt one we have to do with.
The question was asked, would 1t pay to bay
and haul manure from the cities Of Washington
and Alexandria? Most Of the members thought
II would, among them John Bailenger. Others
though not.
A comparative discussion arose as to the bene-
fits Of bone dust and some other fertlizers.
Walter Walton had used bone dust. 500 los. to
the acre, on wheat and grass; il improved his
grass and made better wheat; but greater bene-
iit was derived from its application 10 his grass
land.
Further discussion showed diversity Of opinion
as to the comparative value Of bone dust and sta
ble manure; but it was also proved that much de-
pends on location and soils.
The manure and dairy subjects will be princi-
pal subjects at the next meeting.
The neon being we'll up and shining bright,
the society adjourned TO meet on the l0th of De
cember next, at the handsome farm and residence
OF John BalleGGCT. near Mount Vernon.
After Speeding the night very pleasantly with
the family Of W. GillinghOm, we returned to the
city on the new steamer Mary Washington.
ArnnTI NE-