Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-01-18
WoopLAWN AGRICULTURAL SOCI

ETY..
Repored for the Alexandria Gazette.
| The January meeting was held on the
18th instant ut the house of John Ballenger
T.. +. Roberts president, and n w. Person
secretary.
A report was read from Louloun county
paper giving glowing account of the gross
products OF the farm of Samuel \. Brown,
of that county, for the year 1888. As the
COS; Of production was not given, there was
no means of learning the net profits. twas
thought that the total amount was yearly
exec eded by some members Of this club on
| the .ue number of acres, or even on less
Number.
The ou, elion for the day, "How 10 make
the most and best manure, and how and
when to apply it" was then taken up, and
each member s'aVe MS views Oh Tue SUI
lect rs his turn came.
\ general unanimlty prevailed, that Tar
mer, should make all the manure possible,
by taking all the ro,'e h stun that was not
wanted for feed, and put in the stables,
yards and pens as bedding and absorbents.
The hog pen was pointed out as one of the
best laboratories for mani pulating large
amount of extra good manure that Is quick
in its action and vigorous in its production,
this prolific source being often sadly ne.
elected &c the deLriment of the animals ana
IL loss to the farm. Also the rotten chips OF
the wood pile would afford an occasional
supply of material with which ashes, or the
contents of the poultry house could be mix
ed, making a compost that is excellent Tor
many crops.
\ difference Of opinion prevailed as TO
making and keeping manure under coVer
One extremist wanted great deal OF water
to help rot his manure. In order TO get the
most oft, puts his coarse manure under the
caves Of his barn to catch the water; wants
all his manure fine before using it, then
mikes ashes with it. Another believed that
one load of manure made and kept U4ier
cover was worth two loads made and kept
in the open yard.
1t is the practice Of some to haul the pro.
duets Of the horse and cow stable out III
pile together to partially rot before using.
The practice that seemed to have the
most advocates, was to haul out manure as
fast as made and spread OIL grass land, on
wheat, or on land designed for coru the
coming season. About an equal number
would pillow under the manure for corn,
turned sod
On land designed for potatoes, coarse ma
nure should be applied year in advance,
or the potatoes would be rough, and poor III
quality.
Soiling the COWS in simmer was urged as
the true plan To make the most and best
manure. Also, the quality could be greatly
improved by feeding ground feed, making
rich and compact mass that was worth
large share of the cost Of the extra food thus
prepared.
One member thought that as it was
dead necessity" to have plenty Of manure
in this section he would keep more stock
than could be fed by the produce of the
farm. Another member urged the i'm
porlance of saving all the liquids OF the
stable, either by absorbents or by leading 1t
into "A tank where it could be- drawn out and
applied to grass lands; this was one of the
economies OF the stable that should not be
neglected. One who had used manure
made in stable where saw,1ust was used
as bedding, said that it destroyed the virtue
Of the manure SO as to be of but little value
as fertilizer. As rule, all manure used
for vegetables should be vel rotted; that
used for grain crops could be pplied as fast
as made.
TIC CiiIICS tudL LuC !N1ilC palhS-
taking method was observed pc rvading all
the operations of the farm of the host as
was seen in former visits the stock all
stabbed, and fed with lavish ha I'D, SHOW
ing their keep by their good looks. Album
dance of provender in the barn and grain in
the crib. A liberal supply of dry wood rak-
ed up near the house; an ice house nearly
full of ice and every thing around in proper
order. A large surplus of straw was prob
lem how to convert it into manure. The
host asked suggestions from the club, how
to make it the most available On the farm.
After using all he could in the stables, yards
and pens there would be surplus i'll the
way.
He was advised to spread it upon the
poorest places on his grass land after the
grass was cut; others advised giving it to
his poorer neighbors He proposed burning
it, after spreading over the land intended
for corn ground, if there was no better plan
suggested.
The question for consideration at the
next meeting is, "How to prepare for and
raise crop of early potatoes"
The next meeting will be held ut Wood
lawn Mansion, VIM. Hunter, jr., Feb. 9th.
Critical Committee are G. Lukens, D..
Buchanan and Henry Hunterson.