Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-01-20
Farmers, Convention THO annual

| convention of the farmers OF this county
and others interested in agriculture was
held on Thursday of last week at the
Sandy Spring Lyceum. The attendance
was large, and great interest was manifested
in the discussion of the questions brought
before the meeting. Among the prominent
gentlemen present were Charles Albert, Dr.
Howard, of Washington; w. V. Bouic, f.
B. Prettyman, Dr. Handy, Of Howard coun-
ty, the Oldest man in the county, Mr.. VIM.
Brown, and the no less venerable farmers,
Mr.. Caleb Stabler, and Mr.. Robert Roberts,
of Fairfax county, Va.
Mr.. Henry G. Hallowell, the president of
the convention, called the meeting to order
promptly at the hour appointed, and the
reports of the committees appointed last
year were read. That of the committee on
railroad crossings, consisting of Messrs Chas.
Albert, Jos. H. Bradley and VIM. J. Thomas,
reported favorably on their work in that d.
rection, having secured from the railroad
additional flagmen at crossings on the Metro
politan Branch.
AhC SOiiihibtNC WI thC HuCsuoii vi huNlhS
public grain weigher in Georgetown re-
ported that it was not deemed advisable as
yet. On the action of the convention of last
year towards the erection of farmers hotel
and market in Washington, ID. c. in which
there had been much interest displayed, the
committee, of which Mr.. b. H. Miller was
chairman, reported that resolutions would
be submitted To Representative Urner look
ing towards the securing of public reser
walton for that purpose.
Mr.. Thos. J. Lea read a report on his
labors towards the determination Of the hog
thistle, and the discussion II evolved pro-
voked much amusement. The sentiment Of
the convention was rather outspoken ON
the subject, and the unanimous opinion was
that the hog thistle as at present constituted
can give more trouble by its presence on the
farm than any other pest the farmer has To
fight against, and the efforts thus tar towards
its stamping out have rather encouraged its
growth.
A paper on ensilagc was read by Mr..
Edward b. Thomas in regard to his per
sonal efforts in the construction of silos for
the securing Of green fodder, and its entire
Success Other farmers spoke favorably ON
the same topic.
The discussion on the use of pnlveriZed
lime, introduced in this county with other
advanced methods by Mr. John NJ. Smith,
lately Of Baltimore, who has recently set
tied in this county, was participated in by
Elijah J. Hail. Caleb Stabler, Hobart Hut
ton, Chas. Stabler and Others. Scientific
theories, as well as the results ON practical
experiments made by these farmers, were
concluded by the remarks of Judge Bouic
as to the necessity Of farmers consulting the
properties of their soils before using fer
tilizers. The whole question was referred
for further action by the convention at a
future meeting.
The annual summary Of the minutes Of
the Senior Farmers Club of this county, in
which membership is hereditary now num-
bering fourteen members, was read by Mr.
William Henry Farquhar.
The report of the Enterprise Club, which
boasts now Of its sixteen years of useful
labors, was read by its secretary, Mr.. Edw.
P. Thomas. The average yield of the farms
of these members was also given.
The report of the Montgomery Club, the
youngest of the three clubs, was read by its
secretary, Mr.. Roger Brooke, and the Stats
tics of the average yield were shown to be
equal to that of the, Senior Club Or the
farmers of other sections. The pleasant
rivalry existing between the clubs makes
these different reports the spiciest part Of
the proceedings, and their reading Is at
tended with much amusement as well as
profit.
| A series Of questions affecting farming
interests were next brought before the meet
| ing, five-minute speeches being allowed.
The first was, "Are barbed wire fences de-
sirabe ~ Judge Bouic told his experience
in its favor, AS well as that of Gov. Hamil-
ton in the same direction. The question
was fully discussed, the majority being in
favor of its use The next, "What is the
best style of reaper, taking into consdera-
ton the size Of the farm 7" The use Of self
binders for farms of one hundred acres or less
was not commended.
The next question was decided that ten
acres Of permanent pasture was profitable
on dairy farm of one hundred acres
"Are benefits to be derived from rail-
road passing through our farming commu-
nifty so great AS To compensate for the injury
and inconvenience 2" was affirmatively de-
cided.
The last three queries, "Can an effective
and practical law be divised for preserva-
ton Of sheep from dogsY "Are we pre-
pared for the Washington county system of
constructing turnpike roads?" would it
be advisable To have County Treasurer ?"
evoked full discussion. That ON the depre
dations of dogs among sheep created con-
siderable feeling, and resolution was passed
naming committee Of three TO draft asuta-
BILE law to remedy this evil, to be forwarded
To the Legislature. The meeting was closed
about nightiall, by remarks by Mr.. Halo
we'll
Another Railroad.--In the United
States Senate on Thursday of last week
Mr.. Groome introduced, by request, a bill
to authorize the Washington and Atlantic
railroad company to extend a railroad INTO
n a.. .rD a.,