Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-08-20
The Practical Farmers Club.

Club met at the home of Mr.. John
Sidebottom, near LoydSvile, on Saturday,
Sth inst, at l o'clock After all were
assembled it was made known by Mr..
Sidebottom that an invitation had been
extended to the Club by st. Clairsville
friends TO attend the Memorial ceremo-
MES at that hour, of the Nations honor
ed dead. Universal regret was express
ed, that we were too late assembling to
attend these exercises. The sincere feel
ing and sympathy of the entire CLUB
were in those last ceremonies connected
with the great hero and statesman, Gen.
Z. 5. Grant.
The subject for this meeting being the
Saving and Improvement of Seeds, the
discussion was opened by J. A. Atkin1
son. He commenced by remarking that
we had just closed another harvest in
which, although the wheat had been al
most failure, the nay crop had been
light, yet oats had been an abundant
crop, and the late rains had revived the
pastures, and also insured an exceeding
ly abundant corn crop so that altogether
we had reason to rejoice, scarcely realizing
the fact that our country had not been
in its usual prosperous condition. We
believe that farmers have reason to rer
joice at present iD the prospect of a
more favorable providence. Yet just
here we desire to Call attention to re-
joiciDg of different nature, and under
different circumstances. Read as re-
corded in the Sd chapter of Habakkuk
18th and 18th verses. Mr.. Atkinson
recommends the custom in saving seed
corn, to select the largest and most thor
oughly matured ears, in gathering time,
and place where it would be well dried
before freezing commences. In seed
wheat to select from the best part of the
field. Seed potatoes from the best. Be-
lieved that grain and vegetables will de-
teriorate by constant planting of the
same veriety in the same locality.
Mrs Esther MIliner read lengthy and
interesting paper touching upon the
saving and improvement of seed of al
most every kind of grain, vegetables,
garden and flower seeds, showing most
extensive knowledge and practice in this
respect. We could not do justice in this
limited report, and therefore will not at
tempt to give in detail her remarks.
R. G. Hogue had generally selected
seed corn from the crib, yet admitted it
to be poor way; wheat, to screen thor
oughly, and if possible to select from
the longest headed; believed that by al
ways selecting the best for seed, instead
of deteriorating, would improve.
Mrs. n. B. Nichols said she generally
bought garden seeds.
Mrs. Il. &. Hogue saves the first of all
kinds for seed suppose it would be ear
liest.
Joseph Thompson selects largest and
best ears of corn when gathering, and
keeps in dry place. Wheat, endeavors
to SOW clean seed.
Mrs. Maggie Atkinson receives seeds
generally from Wick, and has always
found them good; has found plenty of
labor as beneficial as the kind of seed.
n. b. Nickols said he had found it ea>
sier TO teach twenty persons how to do,
than to be one of twenty to follow. Also
was like the guide post; points the Way
but never moves peg itself; could not
follow his own teaching; believed grain,
potatoes, and many things, would i'm
prove by carefully selecting the best for
seed. This year advises to be careful in
preserving seed corn, as indications are
it will contain great amount of sap;
receives seed from Waldo F. Brown; also
from State University, Columbus. Does
not SOW old seed-thinks less and less
will germinate every year.
Mrs. ReDecca Shepherd saves the best
of its kind for seed.
John SidebottOm-COrn, the same as
hoC hna Aa1 hu OF ho- MI haa
the best in the field for seed, and prefer
red not to thresh with machine, as it
cracked so much-would thresh with
fail or tramp out.
Abner Lodge thought old seed of any
kind would grow if kept in good condi>
ton; his custom in selecting seed corn
and wheat, was much the same as had
been recommended.
Alex. Danford, during his term as su-
perintendent at the County Infirmary,
had always selected the best corn, and
carried it up stairs, in intirmary building,
in order to dry it out, and prevent freeZ-
ing; believed had scarcely ever planted
a grain that did not grow. Potatoes,
plant extra good uniform tuberS. Grass
seed, gather your own, or buy from some
reliable farmer, in order to save obnoX+
iouS weeds.
Calvin Pollock In no one respect do
farmers fail in producing good crops
more than in that of planting or sowing
inferior seed. We may dispose of this
which would be, Let all seed, of every
description, be of the very best quality.
and in the very best condition.
John Shepherd, sr.-After summing
up all remarks, said it was evident that
all agreed AS to having good seed. There
was diversity of opinion, however. with
regard to crops deteriorating by the con-
stant use of the same seed in the same
locality. He believed that both animal
and vegetable life. would improve by al
ways selecting the best, otherwise would
deteriorate.
Club then adjourned to meet at the
home of r. G. H0gue and wife, on sec
Ond Saturday CT September, at / o'clock
Subject for Observation-Disclosures and
Treatment of Domestic Animals-to be
opened by Abner Lodge.
The society was honored by the press
ence of Mr.. and Mrs. Solomon Bentley,
and Mr.. and Mrs. Alex. Danford.
Mr.. SidebOttom had just completed
most ingenius arrangement for the pur-
pose of drawing water out of the bottom
OF the modern drilled wells; it consisted
of windlass and pulley, with we'll
bucket constructed upon the principle Of
of the dredge used by those engaged in
drilling those wells. 1t will doubtless
prove a useful invention. Z.