Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-01-21
gutal aud 2ersoual.


esting assemblages of farmers and other
friends of agriculture that has yet conven-
ed at these annual gatherings, met at the
Lyceum, Sandy Spring. The beautiful day
excellent sleighing and leisure season bring
ing out not only the young farmers, but
many of the venerable ones, whose expert
ence were listened to with great interest.
Not only was Montgomry well represented,
but visitors from Howard and Prince
Georges counties, Washington, D. c., and
Virginia participated in the pleasure of the
occasion. About two hundred attended dur
ing the day. The committee appointed for
the purpose had selected for President, H.
c. Hallowell; Vice-Presidents, Chas Albert.
Jos. r. Moore, John f. Wilson, Benz. d,
Palmer, Richard Waters and W. B. Chi
chester.
Mr. Hallowell opened the proceedings by
giving a cordial welcome to all present, and
saying in substance that the Convention
was the result of a want. We all felt the
need of wider social intercourse, and the
suggestion of VIM. II. Farquhar that there
should be a meeting of all the farmers clubs
in the vicinity was taken up warmly. We
held our first convention in this hall eight
years ago, and have met annually since
with increasing attendance and business,
until instead of holding a short afternoon
session, we are now meeting at 10 o'clock.
On looking over the past year we find it has
been prosperous one, with abundant crops
and good prices, but above ALL in real value,
is the fact that there is Il greatly increased
interest in agriculture and in cooperation.
The pioneer upon the wide spreading prairie
is almost absolutely independent, but as
neighbors surround him and the country
becomes thicky settled they all feel the
necessity of laws for their common good.
So it is now with agriculture in the nation.
Each occupation must realize that there is Il
mutual obligation; farmers are dependent
upon cities and trades they in turn are de-
pendent upon us. Farming is beginning to
take its proper position, not utopianly high
as its enthusiasts would have us believe, but
its true place, equal to any other vocation.
On looking over the intelligent assembly
before me it is with sadness that we miss
three familiar faces who have been sum-
moned from our beautiful earth which they
aided to improve and to adorn, James II.
Stone, b. Rush Roberts and Samuel Ellicott,
all useful and upright men and excellent
farmers, left u gap in our midst that it will be
hard to fill. But we must not dwell upon
the past 1t is the still water that breeds
pestilence, the running stream that brings
fertility and health. We must look forward
and aim to do our part towards reaching the
ideal of the 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 i'm
portant one for all true development. |
trust that you will bear in mind that some
times those who know the most talk the
least, but that here we are all as though we
were assembled around our own firesides
and all must speak freely as friend to friend.
The Secretary having read the minutes of
last year, the President called for the report Of
the committee on railroad crossings In the
absence of Chas. Albert VIM. G. Thomas
stated that after consultation with the Off
Gals they found the railroad had not au-
thority to put gates at the crossings of roads
OUTSIDE of the District of Columbia, but had
promised 10 have tlagmen stationed at dan
gerous places. Some of the members thought
this had been done at Silver Spring, but
that other places were as dangerous as ever.
The committee was continued and JOS. II.
Bradley was added TO it.
Henry Stabler and Albert Chandlec re-
ported that during the year they had put
up 6,400 cans of tomatoes, 49,400 cans of
corn and $4,000 cans of peas.
A number of farmers alluded to this this
tie weed and expressed a fear that it would
be difficult to extirminate, as it seems to thrive
with cultivation and extends its roots very
deep. 0ne gentleman said he thought he
perceived flavor of tea on the ends of the
roots Albert Chandlee stated that he thought
he had mastered it by putting corn ground in
buckwheat while the thistle was in full bloom
turning the buckwheat under when it was in
bloom, and then following with wheat. He
will report next year.
A paper by our lamented fellow-farmer, B
Rush Roberts, was handed in, showing that
in careful experiments the large potatoes
planted whole were found to give greatly
increased yield, being more than double o.
medium potatoes cut to two eyes. 1t took Al
bushels of large potatoes to plant an acre.
Robt. II. Miller reported that he had sowr
salt on potatoes at the rate of 500 pounds
per acre as an additional fertilizer, and tha
four-fifths of them failed to come up. p. 7
Stabler reported similar experience witt
kainit. Dawson Lawrence drew attention
TO the fact that potatoes had, as a genera
rule, come badly, and asked the reason
Amongst those given were the dry season
having been planted too late and the milo
themselves in spring. Thos Waters asked
If unbleached wood ashes would injure pc
tatoes. Decidedly not.
The raising of Millet was brought up, ant
the opinion was expressed that more atten
ton should be paid to it, Walter II. Brook
said he had raised u tons per acre, anC
some had exceeded that.
Letters from Judges Bowie and Bout
were read expressing regret at being un
able 10 attend and showing great interest il
farming and farmers.
VIM. II. Farquhar, on the part of tn
Senior Club, began his paper by abiding +
the remarkable fact that since its organiza
ton in 1914, 1t had never lost a member b,
death, and yet within i've weeks we wer
called on TO follow TO the grave three Of tn
group we had known and cherished so long
Samuel Elicott was the first to leave Vi
His privation of sight, which had not SCENE
10 interfere with his manual ability, an