The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-01-29
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From the Rockville Sentinel.
DOINGs OF MARYLAND FARMERS

sided. Visitors from Virginia, Washing
ton city, Howard and Prince Georges
counties were present. The President
gave cordial welcome to all present, in
we'll chosen speech. He said-We held
our first convention in this hall eight years
ago, and have met annually since with in
creasing attendance and business. On
looking over the past year we find it has
been a prosperous one, with abundant
crops and good prices, but above all, in
real value, is the fact that there is great
ly increased interest in agriculture and CO.
operation. Farming is beginning to take
its true place, and is esteemed the equal
of any other vocation. We must look for
ward and aim to do our part towards reach
ing the ideal age. We, as individuals,
make up the community; as we improve,
the State improves 1t is for this reason
we have met here to exchange thoughts,
expressions and friendly greetings. The
rural life is an important one for all true
Development
The secretary having read the minutes
of last years convention, the president
called for reports of committees and from
the different clubs represented.
Henry Stabler and Albert Chandlee re-
ported that during the year they had put
up 6,400 cans of tomatoes, As, 400 cans Of
corn and $4,000 cans of peas.
A number of farmers alluded to the
thistle weed, and expressed fear that 1t
would be difficult to exterminate, as it
seems to thrive with cultivation and ex-
tend its roots very deep. One gentleman
said he thought he perceived flavor of
tea on the end of the roots Albert Chand-
lee stated that he thought he had mas
tered it by putting corn ground in buck
wheat while the thistle was in full bloom,
turning the buchwheat under when it was
in bloom, and then following with wheat.
A paper by B. Rush Roberts, was handed
in, showing that in careful experiments the
large potatoes planted whole were found
to give a greatly increased yield, being
more than double of medium potatoes cut
to two eyes. 1t took 43 bushels of large
potatoes to plant an acre.
Robert H. Miller reported that he had
sown salt on potatoes at the rate of 5OO
pounds per acre as an additional fertilizer,
and that four-ffths of them failed to come
up. p. r. Stabler reported similar expo
rience with kainit Da" son Lawrence
drew attention to the fact that potatoes
had, as a general rule, come badly, and
asked the reason. Amongst those given
were the dry season, having been planted
too late and the mild winter having caused
the tubcrs to exhaust themselves in the
spring. Thos Waters asked if unbleached
wood ashes would injure potatoes. De-
cidedly not.
The raising of milet was brought ur,
and the opinion was expressed that more
attention should be paid to it. Walter II
Brooke said he had raised J tons per
acre, and some had exceeded that.
Much attention has been paid to the
growth of peas, more properly beans, as
crop for turning under as a fertilizer and
with satisfactory results.
A great difference Of opinion was mani
tested as to the value of barnyard manure,
ranging from 80 cents to 81 for horse
cart load of 10 cubic feet.
An interesting discussion arose as to the
fertility of our best farms compared with
20 wears ago. Many thought they had
not improved all did not agree with this
idea.
Blue stone, soaked in alcohol, is cure
for sore feet in horses.
Henry H. Stabler reported the Mont
gomery Club as having progressed during
the past year. The practice of having an
essay read at each meeting by member
appointed for the purpose, has added much
interest. His extracts from the minutes
of the club are as follows:
An average of II working hours per
day was thought to be right for both en-
ployer and laborer.
Most members think it more satlstac,
tory to furnish an allowance and let their
hands board themselves.
The opinion is gaining ground that it is
as well to SOW clover seed IN the fall as IL
the spring.
Berkshire hogs weighing from 250 to
300 pounds lose twelve pounds in the
hundred in dressing, while those weighing
from 100 to 200 lose 20 pounds in the
hundred.
1t is recommended to apply lime to the
surface rather than to plough 1t under.
1t is thought to be most profitable to
have a dairy herd fresh in August or Sep
TENDER rather than in the spring.
The wheat crop of the club averaged
one bushel per acre less than last year, but
the acreage was 80 per cent. greater. The
Weld of corn was unprecedented.
Average of the leading crops of sixteen
members. Wheat, 229 bushels per acre ;
corn, 81 barrels per acre; potatoes, 99}
bushels per acre; hay, 40 of ton per
acre. Eleven members reported 43,lOo
pounds of pork five members reported
1892 pounds of butter; eight members
reported 81 $50 profit on fat cattlei one
member reported $3.50 profit on chicken
eggs six members reported 1864 profit
on lambs and wool.
From the report of the Enterprise Club
Wheat, average per acre, Is bushels; corn,
average per acre, 9 barrels; hay, average
per acre, Sc of ton; potatoes, average
per acre, 104 bushels.
The questions for discussion were next
taken up, as follows
LIST. What is the least size Of the farm
on which it pays the manager better to
superintend than to labor? There were
numerous amusing speeches on this ques-
ton, many indicating Discrimination to
labor yet believing it necessary for sue
cess. Several thought that when farms
exceeded $50 acres the owner could not
afford to labor himself, while others thought
that one man ought not to use more than
he could assist in cultivating.
2nd. The subject of ensilage or method
of preserving green provender was next
taken up, and Robert F. Roberts, of Alex,
andria, Va, gave an interesting account of
his method of operating, and showed a
sample. He finds his cattle eat it freely,
and thinks it valuable. 1t does not affect
the taste of the milk. The fodder is cut
by steam cutter and is packed in trench,
es by the trampingof horse, and covered
Il I..Ilo 20 WI, opd oorth