The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-24
Proceedings Of the Union Bridge Agricul-
tural Club.

l 1878 Members present David Rinehart
and wife, Daniel Wolfe and daughter, j.
/ Rakestraw, wife and daughter, Daniel Rine-
hart and wife, G. S. Haines and daughter,
James L. Cox and sister, s. Wood and wife,
5. Shepherd and family, and p. Wood and
family. Visitors Thomas I. Norris, wife
ard son, of Adams county, Pa, VIM. G. Cox,
Mary Cox, and Margaret A. Shugh, of Balt-
more city, and Abraham w. Wright
Cottonwood, so named from a number
of trees ofthis species planted by the present
owner, is one of the better quality of red land
farms, and shows what a few years ofmodern
farming, with its fertilizing processes, may
accomplish. Where briars and weeds form
erly grew, we see to day clover and timothy.
And more striking still is the improvement
around the house, where the hand of culture
has changed an old stone castle into a pleas
ant dwelling, and the pig.pen into a flower
garden.
Previous to starting on our ,calks and talks
j. Rakestraw was appointed foreman, and
Emily l.. Wood lady inspector. In the gar
den were some dwarf pear trees, quite full of
nice looking fruit,-among the best was
Duchesse and Louis Bonne-de-J Jersey A
row of celery attracted attention, and it was
| thought the time had nearly arrived when the
''heeling i'm process should be commenced.
The plan of making an ice-pond still both
ers the head of our worthy host, and whether
the advice of his neighbors in regard to it
will be beneficial or not, is known only to
himself. Passed through good truck patch,
in which some new kind of corn from c. b.
Rodgers, scotsman, Philadelphia, was max
ing a wonderful growth. Were shown sta
tionary tank for scalding hogs, which would
certainly pay any farmer who had an average
amount of butehering to do. Ii is made of 2
inch oak plank, is 6 feet long, l6 inches wide
at bottom, Is inches at the top and 20 inches
deep, with a galvanized sheet iron bottom
fastened to 1t. This trough is then set on two
parallel walls, which serve the purpose of
furnace, having small chimney at one end
10 produce draught Il is then ready for
use. The temperature of the water for scald-
ing hogs should be about 1902.
A hand-cart made of the wheels, axle and
frame of an old grain drill illustrated the fact
that some folks can utilize old machinery that
others would let lay around, an eye-sore to
| people of good taste. The prospect for cora
Is pretty good, the ears are shooting abund-
/ antly, and IL more rain comes soon a good
crop may be expected. The healthy condi-
ton of his orchard is attributed to having the
trees washed with I've or soapsuds once or
/ twice a year.
Some of the members discovered an old
reaper and a horserake in one corner of a
field, and were preparing to read the presi-
dent lecture on the subject of housing farm
ing implements, when, upon examination, it
was thought that they we're not worth caring
| for.
After enjoying the luxury of plucking ap-
| pies and peaches from the trees, returned to
| the house.
The following recipe for preparing corn for
| planting was said, by T. T. Norris, to be very
I ,1I. 81 4 4
\ gas tar and l spoonful of common tar; put
this over s quarts of seed corn, stirring il
\ briskly for FIVE minutes; then drain off the
water and roll the corn in dry plaster.
A good supper being partaken of the club
was organized, and the last meeting minutes
read and approved.
! Special Committee on Hogs produced the
/ following report, which was satisfactory, viz 4;
Your committee can only report so far as
his experience goes respecting the best breed
of hogs. Having tried a good many different
breeds within the last twenty years, none have
| given such general satisfaction as the Poland
China. find them hardy in every respect;
good grazers; will get fat on clover; never saw
one with the mango; are very easy to fatten;
not subject to disease; have remarkably fine
hams, small shoulders, and good appetites.
have had them weigh 100 lbs. at 40 days
! old. They have proved to be good mothers.
! Have had no experience with Essex or York
shire. (Signed) Daniel Rinehart.
Committee on the Cultivation of Wheat
was, on motion, continued to report to next
meeting.
Of Standing Committee A, d. Wolfe was
| the only member present. He read from the
/ Scientific american ''Sr Titus Salt and Sal
taire,' an article which shows what a philan-
thropic and enterprising man of means NAV
! do to benefit his employees. Having built up
a town around his immense factories and sun.
! piled his men with the means of comfort and
education, not permitting grog shop, 1.-THE
curse of our country,) to be opened, there
sprung up reciprocal good feeling between
the employer and the employee, which, it was
thought, would go long way toward pre-
venting strikes, communistic associations. &c.
| Then followed desultory discussion ON the
horse, embracing the subjects Of bots, wolf.
teeth, &c. Farmers generally believe that
woIf-teeth weaken the eyes. Horse finciers
| take different view of the case d. Rine-
| hart introduced the subject of taking an ex-
/ eurslOn trip TO some point on the Western
! Maryland Railroad; referred to next meeting
! for further consideration T. T. Norris gave
an interesting account of the Farmers So
ciar' of Gettysburg, Pa, of which he is a
member, an organization somewhat similar
10 our club, except that the ladies are not
members.
d. Rinehart asked How to lay drain tile?
I Lady inspector reported everything in good
condition. Standing Committee was or
dered to produce subject matter for discus
sion at next meeting.
On motion the club adjourned 70 meet at
James l.. Cox 5, the 9Th of 9th mo. 1878
p. WooD, Sec'y. 5. SHEPHERD, Pres't.