The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1875-07-17

The GUNPowDER AGRICULTURAL CLUB con-
vened in regular monthly session at the resi-
dence of B. Mclean Hardesty, on Saturday of
last week, at p. m. Edwin Scott was foreman
for the occasion, and T. Gorsuch, Abraham
Scott and Nelson R. Miles were appointed COM
mittee on criticism. A communication from
Griffith & Turner, of Baltimore, was read, in
which they made propositions for furnishing
the members of the Club with agricultural inn
plements.
The Club began stroll and examination of
the premises. Mr.. Hardesty has farm of fifty
four acres and is engaged in raising various
varieties of fruits and vegetables. The first
thing examined by the Club was lot of black
berries, which were planted year before last
There were eight rows Of these running across
a small field. They have been considerably
injured by cut worms. The rows are about five
feet apart. The filth has been allowed to grow
in order that the young shoots should not be in
jured. These are to be used in planting other
lands. Under the circumstances there was a
good crop upon these stalks. The variety was
the Kittatinny. A number of cherry trees were
examined, on some Of which there were still
some fine specimes Of fruit. The Early Rich
mond seems to be the favorite cherry with Mr..
Hardesty. large quantity of currants were
examined. The bushes were well filled with
large luxurious fruit. About half the crop
(forty bushels) had been marketed. We were
shown very large patch of raspberries. Many
of these were either killed by the drought or
the rigors of the winter. Some of them were
well filled with fine fruit. Mr.. Hardesty's in
formation and experience concerning this por-
ton of his business was of very interesting
character. The Club asked Mr.. Hardesty's
opinion concerning an old and new hedge he
has around his place, and it was decidedly
against hedges. He said that they had to be
trimmed SO frequently that it interferred too
will 10 fa
was fifteen years old and about that many feet
high, yet boy with penknfe or hog or COW
could penetrate it. The result does not pay for
the attention. We were invited to look at a lot
of newly set strawberry plants that were in
jured by heavy flood Immediately after be
ing planted. They were struggling under diff
cultes. Another set of new plants, with differ
emit circums tances. looked we'll and were in a
plants from which Mr.. II. took good crop OF
fruit this year, had been mulched with rye
straw. They were clear of filth and looked
fourishng. Still another lot of strawberry
plants, which have been planted five or six
years, had formed complete mat over the
ground This has resulted from the fact that
there has not been rain enough in that locality
to enable him to properly cultivate them. He
informed US unless there should be sufficient rain
within two weeks to enable him to furrow them,
he would have to pillow them upa they would run
out next year if left in their present condition.
A patch of fine looking cantaleupes were next
shown. They were clean and give promise Of
an excellent yield. The Clubs attention was
invited to the difference between two portions
of corn field On one portion, fifteen years
ago, there was put very heavy coat OF stable
manure for potatoes. The place in which the
manure was put was very perceptable to ALL
The entire field has been sod nearly ever since
the manure applied. lot of sugar beet,
growing finely, was shown, and also large
al NJ 10 xuif
of excellent water at which he has fine dairy.
In convenient place he has shed for his
necessary implements, under which we inspec-
ted lot of small boxes for fruit and still larger
boxes in which fifties and hundreds of these
quart boxes are shipped to market. Barn,
wagon shed, ice pond were also visited. A
large patch of cabbage, containing several acres
and 1000 plants, principally of the Hender-
son, Savoy and Flat Dutch varieties, was in
spected We next turned our attention to lot
of tomatoes. There are about 5000 plants,
which have been troubled by the bugs. The
inspection of corn field led to the inquiry
why the corn was good and bad in spots. The
ground was all about alike. The opinion
seemed to be that there was some insect in the
ground. A portion of the field is in silk and
tassel and will soon be ready for market. A
number of pear and apple trees were inspected
with reference to blight that manifested itself
first in the leaves and then in the bark-the
leaves curling and dying and the bark eventu-
ally splitting and pealing, the tree slowly dy-
ing. There is no insect of any kind percepti-
BILE. number of members stated that they
had trees that were dying in the same way
No one seemed to be able to solve the mystery
or to suggest a remedy.
Again at the house, we were invited to sup
per, where the Club sat around a board hand
somely set, tastefully embellished with floral
ornaments, amply supplied with luxurious
and delightful repast. 1t was real banquet
to appetites that had been sharpened to keen
appreciation by long stroll and continuous
inspection.
After supper the proceedings of the last meet
ing at j. D. Matthews, June 10th, were read,
giving much information on the subject, "What
is the best cause to pursue to obtain good
stand of clover? Can it by judcious treatment
be continued for several years ?" The report of
the committee on criticism at j. D. Matthews
was read which proved of an interesting char
acter. The subject for discussion for the even
ing was taken up-which was "0n what crops
and in what quantities can we best use COM
mercial fertlizers?" The ex perience of the
members could not fail to be instructive to any
who take an interest in agricultural operations.
The general opinion seemed to be that better
and more profitable results are obtained from
the use of large quantities. The question was
asked why can't we raise wheat as we used to
without using fertilizer? 1t seemed that it was
necessary to put on the land the elements that
are essential constituents of the crop. This
gave rise to lively discussion that was rich in
useful and valuable information.
When the discussion terminated we were in
vited to the refreshment room where each man
RECALLED himself with ice cream, cake, raspber-
ries, watermelon, lemonade, &C., charming and
inviting. The table was ornamented with a
handsome centre piece of flowers.
Mr.. Hardesty lives about mile and half
northwest of Cockeysville and has a handsome
residence, situated on an eminence that COM
mands delightful view of the country around.
A beautiful lawn, triangular shaped, graces the
front, while floral embellishments of beauti
full character give to it peculiar enchantment
A pleasant grove of trees gives the scene an air
of comfort and renders it attractive. Thelawn
is closely clipped and bears the evidences of
care and good taste.
The Club adjourned to meet at the residence
Of Joshua M. Gorsuch, Aug. 14th. Subject for
discusson-"Does pasturing after harvest in
jure succeeding crops p
SUMAERFIELD CAMP GRoUND.-A large num-
her of pnrsons aaaan,h1ed of old % m r,