Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-04-06
AGRICULTURE.
Crop Reports-Essays-Resol
Fair

Crop h'p0F''-h'''YsM Fair ''o'''n'-c'oa''
The April meeting of the Lancaster Ag-
ricultural and Horticultural society met yes
terday afternoon in their room in city hall.
The following members were present
Joseph F. Wilmer, president, Paradise
NJ. D. Kendis, secretary, Cresswell John
G. Linville, Salisbury; Henry Kurtz,
Mount JOY 4; DR.. S. S. Rathvon, city
DR.. G. A. Greene, city; Ephraim Hoover,
Mannheim; Daniel Smeych, city; Casper
Hitler, Conestoga; F. r. Diffenderffer,
city c. A. Cast, city; Frank Griest,
city Washington L. Hershey, Chickies
Webster L. Hershey, East Hempfield
Henry NJ. Engle, Marietta; J. B. Eshle-
man, Paradise; C. L. Hunsecker, Man
helm; Peter S. Reist, Lititz Jacob Boil
linger, Mannheim Henry Rush, PeQuea
j. NJ. Johnston, city; William McComsey,
city John H. Landis, Millersville Israel
l.. Lands, Mannheim William II. Brosius,
Drumore; DR.. William Compton, city !;
Isaac Hess, Mannheim A. D. Hostetter,
Millersviile.
Crop Reports
John c. Linville reported that wheat
was growing we'll, fruit buds not injured
by the frost oats about one-half sown the
feeding of stock during the winter has
we'll paid the stock-grower; the ground is
moist and in good condition, and the pros
poets of the coming season are good last
years clover poor, much of it has been
plowed down for corn.
Mr.. Kurtz reported that wheat looks
we'll; clover poor ; oats seeding nearly
finished, and farmers busy making ready
for corn and tobacco. The acreage Of to
bacco in his neighborhood will not be
much increased the coming season. Last
year tobacco is nearly all sold.
| MIR. Engle reported the young grass as
pretty good along the river fruits, espec-
tally apples, promise well pears perhaps
not as good as last year.
Joseph F. Wilmer, of Paradise. had
heard no complaints about clover. Tobac-
co beds have been sowed not much oats
sown yet.
| County Fair.
| President Wilmer stated that the direc.
tors of the Farmers northern company
offered the use of the market house to the
society for the purpose Of holding a fail
on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday dur
ing week in September, for the sum OF
$50, exclusive of gas and the use of the
janitors stand during the fair.
Mr.. Engle thought that if the society in.
tended to hold fair it was desirable to
have the list Of premiums prepared and
distributed at as early date as possible
so that persons proposing to exhibit might
make the necessary arrangements and
preparations.
DIR. Gre enc agreed that tho premium
list should be prepared at as early Il date
as possible, and ho favored having the lists
published in the newspapers. In this way
they would obtain the greatest possible
publicity, and it was to the newspaper.
the society must look for help in making
the fair success.
On motion the proposal Of the market
company was accepted.
DIR. Greene read an interesting paper OF
fertilizers, showing that the great need o
the farmer is to have a knowledge of thu
chemical constituents that his soil require.
to enable it to produce profitable crops.
Root Crops.
Mr.. Engle, to whom had been referred
the question of ''root crops, read the fol
lowing essay on the subject
Mr.. PRESIDENT This question will apply
to almost any other farm crop. In reply
would therefore say they are profitable
under certain circumstances.
Root crops as a rule are great feeders
and therefore require wellprepared anC
; enriched soil and in addition thorough
after culture to produce paying crops. The
common turnip { Of which there are many
varieties) is most easily grown and requires
the shortest season Of all root crops, anC
is at the same time Of least value. Ruta
baga requires more care, and a little long
er season but are of more value as food
Next came Marigolds and Sugar Beets
both of which require still longer sea
son, and consequently more cultivation
The former yields more tons per acre than
any other root crop, while the latter is
equal if not superior in nutritive elements
to all other root crops, and to which
shall call special attention before l close.
Carrots and parsnips require the entire
season to mature, and as food for man and
beast are very valuable. With proper at.
tention they will yield in quantity with
most other root crops. Yields are re.
ported from a few tons to twenty five,
and even more per acre, owing to soil,
climate, and, above all, to management.
No person wishing to produce the best
results in milk and butter, and
have his stock come out in spring as
it should, can afford to do without
some root crop. There is no (and never
will beg any buttcrcoloring equal to that
produced by feeding carrots, parsnips OF
sugar beets in winter. The present fash
ionable butter-colOring, SO much in use, is
doing more to hide defects in butter, and
give it good appearance, than to improve
its quality, and does not give it that rich,
nutty flavor which is impaired by feeding
roots of the best quality, and I doubt
whether oleomargarine is more objection
able; at least not more deceptive. Both
should stand upon their intrinsic merits.
The sugar question is becoming an i'm
portant one to our country, in which the
sugar beet will at no distant day, play an
important part. l wish. therefore, to i'm
press the matter upon tho minds of our
farmers for consideration, so that we may
not be tagging behind. I am we'll aware
that in this and neighboring counties
where the tobacco-growing mania is so
rampant, it is an up. hill business; but
there are a good many farmers who are
conscientious in growing the weed, and
not few who are about half conscientious,
and would not grow it were it not for
! Jo11