Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-12-18
gy00dIayyn Agricultural Society.

! ias;ani, 81 Wafer WatCi' $. The president
secretary aud lcasur'r, together with over 90
| others We're prCs2Gt.
The minutes OF he preceding meeting were
read and coircction made III regard to the
statement of VIM. Hunter, that he considered
his crop Of Rulabagas failure. lie did not
want il understood Us an cnlir:, failure, but a
partial failure.
The case OF Felix Quander Ia coorcd man
liVirg near Accotok )-who has persistcnty de-
fed his neehbors and the community at large,
by allowing his cattle to run at large for several
years, contrary to law-Was discussed at con-
siderable length and resolution adopted
unanimously,
That this club will be responsible for tic ex-
peuse5 Incurred in making test case of the
II. w. Blunt and p II. Troth be appointed a
committee to inquire into the case of the suit
now pending between Felix Quandcr vs. Charles
Laud5treet, and report to this club at the next
meeting.
The Critical Committee made the 70 flowing
report on the farm OF our host
Members Of the Woodyacn Farmers Club -
Gentlemen :-Aciiug under your instructions
your committee visited and examined the prem
ises 0! our host, and though he may not have
the reputation CT being the best farmer 10 the
club, yet 10 our judgment lie need have no fears
Of The result OF Il fair and just criticism on his
labors as tanner.
Among the Objects particularly worthy Of
note We would call attention first TO his stock
oil neat cattle among which are some very fine
grade Attorneys aGd DeVons showing care aud
good Judgment n his selection, having refer
ence to the qualities best adapted TO butter
dairying purposes. The experience of our host
leads him 10 the conclusion that the AlIerncy
with i cross oi from CIc half TO three quarters
Devon vii! give the best result in that direction.
We noticed in his herd ycarling bull bought
from da;ryman in New Jersey, seven cighths
AIderncy with one eighth Guernsey; some OF
the sharp points Of the Alderney arc rounded
off which We consider an improvement. Taken
altogether we think his herd for the purposes
for which they are intended are equal to that
Of any member Of this club ten ofthem having
at one period made an average Of seven bbls. Of
butter q week. result PC; easy to beat.
Ills H)ck of sheep next claimed our atten-
ton, and If We have spoken 10 c)mmendation
OF his efforts 10 improve his COWS we shall have
to Use stronger term lu regard to his sheep.
Your committed have uos had much experience
in sheep raising aud might not be considered
| Competent Judges, but We thiLk they will re-
commend themselves The CotswoId predoni
mates in his flock q breed that recommends
itself Tor ta fleece, but cur host, not wishing
10 depend on that quality alone, has Introduced
cross with the SUuthdoWu, end desiring to
Increase the quantity ard q'laliy Of the mutton,
| Tor this purpose he has gone to some expense
to procure very fn2 Southdown buck. Ills
eHorts in this line arc certainly praiscworthy
and worthy Of emulation.
From appearances he will not lack for mate
rial that will furnish him an ample supply OF
pork next season. For this purpose he has kept
Two year old brood sows and one l year old.
lie has sold 600 cWt. Of pork this season, with
supply reserved for his own use. Ills breed
is thrce.iouIths or mere Berkshire, which he
considers superior On account oil their length
| For further improvement ne has selected
boar OF the Berkshire crossed with the Poland
Chine. Future results can only demonstrate the
wisdom of this change
We find our host TO be . great advocate of
top dressing. We observed 10 crossing his last
years wheat field line, one side Of which Was
fertile ID by applying 300 lbs of Peruvian
guano with 600 lbs. ground bone, costog about
$50 per acre, while the other had nothing q.
the time OF sowing, but was top. dressed after,
wards with stable manure at an expense of
about $50 per acre. ID the wheat our host
says there was no apparent difference but in
the grass We find . considerable difference ~
favor OF top.drcsslog. "a another fri' ul,i,h
has been 10 grass for several ya",s W. w., n
marked difference. " her, the manure WA
ploughed 10 We iod nc>,nipg but daisies, ard
where the manure vas applied On the surlac,
| a stiff grass So ''p'''N
lo MS Pm is an abundant supply Of proven
uss ~ his horses, cattle and sheep lis build.
';ss and fences arc in good condition, his i'm.
pcments all housed, and last, but not least We
saw pile vi seasoned wood cut and housed,
ready for the stove, which shows kindly con
| slderatlo1 for his vile comfort
Dr. Rowland exhibited = specimen of what
~ being sold around the country 10 prevent ker.
oscue lamps from exploding. The composition
Is nothing hut COMMON salt, mixed With small
4uanlty OF indigo for coloring. a perfect hum.
bug, entirely useless fer the purpose for which
1t Is recommended.
Rev j. w. Marsh. from Manassas, being
present, asked tho privilege Ct making some
statements in regard TO his farm operations and
asklog some advice. The courtesy beiug cheer
fully extended to him, he stated how he had
succeeded In obtaining Ii remarkably large yield
OF corn from what was considered some of the
poorest land around Manassas, by the appliea.
ton OF ashes. Turner'S phosphate plaster, and
bone, at a cost Of about ten dollars Der acre,
"h'ch, together with thorough cultivation, had
produced this extraordinary yield lie further
stated mat ne had sOwn wheat aftrr whcat. ard
asked what he should put On to bring second
crop. lie was advised to put On some reliable
phosphate fertilizer carly in the spgiog arl
harrow it in. This should have bcca done at
the time Of sowing. 1t was thought not advis
able to SOW wheat after wheat 10 this section.
Alter supper the Secretary read the following
communication -
10 the President and Members Of the Wood
ia'on Agricultural Society,":
acutlemen Having held che Office Of Sec.
rotary of this Association ioca November IS,
lo'l: nave tet 1t duty 10 be present at each
meeting and report, 10 as concise manner a,
possible, the proceedings of the club. A cor "
mas been prepared for publication and publ III.
ed 10 one or more o. the papers 10 our Weir ,itv
IN VI? several occas loos others have perio' med
engaged. 4 "'sc
10 endeaVoflag to promote the Welt aro ond