Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-14
MONTGOMERY COUNTY FARMERS.
Gathering at SANDY SPECIFICATIONS
Topics discussed.

Gathering ut SANDY SPECIFICATIONS
Topics discussed.
Baltimore American JAN H.
The farmers Of Montgomery county are not
only fully abreast of the times in all matters
pertaining to agriculture, but visit to one of
their gatherings, like that at Sandy Spring yes
terday. will convince one that they keep thor
oughly posted on all the leading topics Of the
day. Farming is of course. the first considera
ton, but they also take lively interest in their
county, state and national government, recog-
niZlng how directly 1t concerns them. To 'ad
vance their interest and also for the sake Of the
social Intercourse thereby attained, they are Or
ganized into clubs and oranges, meeting from
time to time and discussing matters in which
they are deeply concerned.
In Montgomery county there are aside from
the oranges. which are Of comparatively recent
date. three farmers clubs, known as the Senior.
the Enterprise and the Montgomery. The first,
as the name signifies is the oldest. 1t was or
gained thirty-six years ago, and has held
monthly, quarterly and yearly meetings during
all those years and has done much good for the
community generally. The Montgomery club ia
the next Oldest, and has been in existence for
about eight years. The Enterprise is of more
recent origin.
Three years ago the members of the three
clubs, convinced by experience of the great good
resulting from an Interchange of opinion, even
among the few members of their own particu-
lar organization, conceived the idea of uniting
In general convention Of clubs, aud giving the
farmers generally an Invitation to attend The
first convention was held and the results ex-
ceeded their expectations. Yesterday the third
convention was held at the accustomed place of
meeting-Sandy Spring. The Interest taken
was shown in the attendance, which was larger
than at any previous convention The meeting
was held in a comparatively new building, de-
voted to lectures, lyceums etc Every seat was
taken, one hundred and fifty persons being
present. Among others were Messrs. Judge
WIN. feirs BOuic, of Rockville; Charles Albert.
esq, Alban Gilpin, A. B. Prettyman, W. p.
Miller, r. B. Farquhar, Edward Lea, Caleb
Staber. VIM Brown. Robert NJ. Stabler War
wick Stabler, Asa Stabler. 3. q. Stabler, Arthur
Staber, w. j. Thomas Ed. p. Thomas John
Thomas A. Chandelee, w. w. Moore Robert f.
Miller; Frank Hallowell. William Bond, Robert
Mackall II. H. Miller. C. A. Iddngs. Richard
Iddings, Charles G. Porter, j. L. Massey. f. ].
Hall. George E. Brooks John E. Wilson, Charles
Wilson, DR.. f. Howard, Bowie Magruder, E. c.
Giipin. Captain Strain, w. Chichester, G.
Dorsey, VIM. Lea, Charles F. Kirk. Charles Stab
Ter, Charles II. Brooke, stephen Holland Charles
farquhar, Samuel p. Thomas. Benjamin f.
Miller, ". S. Brooke. Charles Hartshorn, Charles
F. Brooke, Edward p. Taylor. DR.. Frank
Thomas j. c. Bentley, F. Gather, Joseph Bur-
rough, Prof II. Hutton, Olwin Clark, p. Sissel,
John NJ. Smith and Thomas Lonsdae, all of
known gentlemen were present from outside
the county, among whom were Robert Roberts,
OF Fairfax county. Va the We-known Friend
and DR.. Hardy, Dawson Lawrence, Ferdinand
y Pugh. william SiSsell and John Sissel of
Howard county.
PRESIDENT HALLOWELLS SOUND ADVICE
The convention was called to order q few
minutes after the appointed time. by Mr. Henry
&. Hallowell, president. Messrs. Allan Farquhar
and Charles F. Kirk acted as secretaries Mr.
Haioweg, in calling the meeting to order al
luded very pleasantly to the nature of the bust
ness which had called them together. inveSti-
CATION, said he is going on all about us in
every walk Of life. In every branch of science
aud art forces are used in cooperation to OBJ
tain general result. Cooperation Is as much
needed In the science OF farming as In any other
department and this convention is one of the
lifst steps towards it. Our profession is not al
together one of plodding and digging, not a
barren routine, but, above all others, is open to
investigation and research. Our convention is
LOT tWofold purpose-that we may become
better acquainted. but, more than all. that we
may learn something. 'ifhat man that lives to
himself alone does not know what life is" We
must do our part to make our noble profession
What it ought to be.
Among other advances in knowledge men
toned was that Of the incubation of sheep
nISt tried in France with good results and
Which is now attracting much attention.
LOOKING AFTER A DANGEROUS CROSSING
Matters of business from the last meeting were
then considered, the first being a report on rail
road CROSSINGS by Mr.. VIM. john Thomas Mr.
Thomas alluded ratiac Witty to the duties i'm
posed on the committee. saying that in his ey-
pFIlelcc Of agricultural implements. it was al
ways necessary that the Journals should be We'll
oiled. So it was with his experience of COM
mttee work The convention neglected to oil
the journals to provide funds. However, the
matter complained ol-the crossing at Rock
yiIle-had been looked after, ana the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad OF being informed OF the i'm
mnent danger at the crossing at times had
placed fagnan there, and it was now safe
This. said the chair, addressing the cOnven-.
ton, lis one OF our ways Of working"
WASHINGTON MATTERS.
MIR. Arthur Stahler, of the committee on
weighing of grain at Georgetown. made u re-
port, the gist of which was that until Congress
passed law for the appointment of public
wcighcr nothing could De done. He did not
think, however. that Il was Of particular interest
to- the farmers OF Montgomery county TO move
for such an appointment.
Inc committee Oh farmers mari ct and hotel for
washington, Il. II. Miller chairman reported that
they had come to the conclusion that sufficient
funds could not be raised for the purpose The
committee had visited washington and had
seen the then Senator Whyte and Congressman
Henhie ON the subject. In the matter of suita-
ket. the committee presented aresOlution SETTING
forth their grievance. which was adopted by the
convention which also appointed a committee
to present bill to Congressman Milton O.
Urner and Andrew Chapman, OF MARYLAND. and
John S. Barbour, of Virginia and to have it
offered iii Congress The convention also
adopted a resolution from the same committee
advocating the passage Of a law by the District
Commissioners for the appointment of public
weiSher of hay at Washington, instead of the
scales being sold, as now. to the highest bidder
Messrs. Asa Staber, B. III. Miller joseph Bur-
r0ughs. Dr. French Thomas. Prof Hutton and
others spoke on the resolution, all advocating
its adoption. An additional resolution was
passed authorizing Francis Miller to draft q
suitable bill. Mr.. Asa Staber was added to
assist Mir. Miller.
JERUSALEM APPLES AND OTHER TOPICS
paper on hog thistles, or horse nettles or
Jerusalem apples, as they are called, provoked
very laughable discussion. The conclusion
was that they were very tough customers and
hard to kill. Cutting them when in bloom.
three years in succession, is said to be a sure
cure.
paper on ensilage, or preservation of
fodder. OF which the farmers 9 enerally are re-
c09niZlng the Importance. was read by Mr. Ed
ward p. Thomas, who had made an experiment
the past year. and reported the method a prac-
Thn for, nj Il