Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-21
MATTERS ON THE
VIRGINIA SIDE.
Proceedings Of the " oOdlawn Farmers
Club.

HOW TO IMPROVE POOR LASD-rHE QUESTION
OF COMMERCIAL FERrILIzEKs-THE USE OF
LrxE-As TO "kxPERIMkSr" STATIONS.
Reported for THE EvESISs STAR
This society met at the house of John BaIien-
ger on the 18th inst, President Pierson in the
chair. The State Agricultural society having
invited the various local EXAMINATIONS to send
delegates to Richmond at the time of the state
fair, who would be received guests of the
society, the president OF the Woodlawn club
WAS appointed as such. The critical report was
read, alluding to the good order in which every
thing was found about Mr.. BaIiengers place.
the fall seeding all done and most of the grain
up. They thought the lands too wide-about
eight PAGES, sixteen feet would be better on this
level land. Pasture and grass lands looking
and quantity of the fodder The corn crop was
large. stock all in exceptionally good condi-
ton. In the matter OF tools and implements
there was a place for everything and nearly
everything In It's place. Fences in good order
and well cleaned up. The dwelling a model OF
neatness and convenience, with ample out
buildings for all purposes.
The question of how tO improve poor land
able iati,nde The everreerr MN seSc't r
lime received its share of attentions; oys ter shell
lime especially coming in for its modicum of
praise and eensure according To- the degree of
success or failure that had attended It's use
John Bailenger and CORTLAND Lukens each had
short essays ON the subject in hand. The
former thought IL was impossible to enrich
land by the use of commercial fertilizers alone;
that they only acted as stimulants; that one
must needs use plenty of granted stable ma
nure in conjunction with the fertilizers, and i'll
that way the land could be made To grow pay
ing crops and at the same time increase in fer
tihty. Chemists tell US that crops receive a
large amount of fertilizing material from the
atmosphere, which, perhaps, is not to be ques-
nin Sua ne n yss to sne aIs piece Oh
His brother, Levi Ballenger, living in New
Jersey, who was present, stated, on the con-
trary, that me had one field on his farm that
had received nothing in the way of fertilizers
for fifteen years except concentrated manures,
and that il produced quite as well as any of his
other iieids that had been treated with stable
manure, but he further observed that no homeo-
pathic doses would do-you must put on
much In value you would of yard manure.
II we would count the actual cost of the usual
coatings OF stable manure that are applied TO
land 1t would be found to be three times as
much perhaps as the few hundred pounds OF
phOsphates that are generally used rer acre.
4. Lukens plan Tor improving poor land
would be 10 plow when in good order i'll the
spring and apply three hundred pounds equal
part guano and dissolved bone per acre and SOW
with oats. After harvest. seed TO wheat with
an application of 200 pounds guanO aud 400 OF
raw bone. l+z bushels wheat, quarts timothy
aud not less than of clover seed per acre. then
ct ii lay over one year. taking OH no hay crop;
Then piow again, NOT less than twice. give sew
erTIl borrowings and rollings, then moderate
coat OF stable manure; 100 pounds BrSant's No.
= and 500 of raw bone per acre; 10 wheat
and grass again; If not in good condition after
this go and leave it, IL 4 farm of TOO is to
be improved, take one-seventh at n time, sow
ON that portion early III the winter 900 pounds
line ground raw bone per acre; pillow in spring
lnur 10 five inches deep, plant to corn with
some good fertilizer in he nil: work deep aud
often. Take another seventh tor fall seeding,
aud treat before Recommended. Next year
take two more seventh. ;sj.C 81 on until all Is
brought H. In the fffC:t.t ,tic pun on stock and
iced high; make plenty a.; i.IanGFe amt apply in
pace OF part OF the i,tJHiLeE. For the high
feeding of stock you should get small profit
ftVfn their produce. Wtic.l HVuld lessen the
c,st OF fertilizers. particularly ii done under the
PERSONAL supervision Of the owner.
The other members generally as called on
gave their views on the subjCct-fhe weight of
testimony being in favor -. getting the land in
grass soon as pos>ibie-Io supply the needful
vegetable matter, anu nearly dt relied upon
sttble manure nom Ss;ln-fcC stock as the sheet
anchor. several would lime on the grass
land, stone lime being preferred generally.
Mi Williams. from COnHec.ic lent. VINO Pres
ent, stated that they Thought there they could
hot improve their land without cattle, they
were the main reliance. The president re
viewed what had been said and spoke of the
benefits to- be derived from experimental sta
tons, which drew out some antasOuiSiic re-
marks. and ii resolution was propOSed-that no
more money be appropriated this state tor
any such purposes. The resolution was laid
over until next meeting. wheG the subject will
bs- discussed Whether il il advisable in view
1f :ne present financial condition oi the state
q make any further appropriations TOR the
InSterinS OF ar agricultural department., col
lesse, or experiment station, and also TO the
utility of Introducing practical industrial eda-
cation into the public schools. Next meeting
Ia Oe at Cameron, near Alexandria, on the
2Ist of November. Critical colnmittee-J n
Gibbs, :. Pullman, Il. Barton
W. Secretary