Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-24
FARMERS IN COUNCIL.
The 18th Annual Convention at Sandy
Spring-AgricultuFal Talk.

From the Baltimore SUM- jan IL
One hundred and fifty farmers met in conven-
tion yesterday at Sandy Spring, Montgomery
county, Md. They were the members Of three
local farmers clubs and their invited friends
from Montgomery and adjoining counties The
convention Is an annual affair which dates back
sixteen years. 1t was formed at first mainly for
social purposes, but soon developed into q body
which, by its proceedings, has ever since exer-
csed large influence on agricultural matters
in the state.
The convention was called to order at 10 a.
M In the Lyceum building. which is a compar-
atively new structure. standing near the old
FRIENDS orick meeting-hOuse, which was built
in 1917. Mr.. Henry c. Hallowell president
was in the chair. assisted py the following vice
presidents: Messrs. Chas. Albert. Asa NJ. Sta
bier. b. ID. Palmer VIM. c. Manakee and Capt
Mcdonald. Messrs. Allan Farquhar and H. H.
Miller were secretaries. President Hallowel
spoke feelingly OF some members who had died
during the past years He referred to the pros
perlty OF the farmers in times of financial de-
preston, In 80 far as they could ALWAYS live in
comfort and plenty, while those dependent upon
manufactures were in trouble The farmer NAV
not be able to add more acres to his farm some
years. he may have to use the old wagon longer
than he desires. but he can always live. He
concluded by hoping that the convention would
In the future, as in the past. stimulate the COM
munlty to improved methods and thorough
work generally.
Mr.. Asa NJ. Stabler made some remarks as a
member of the committee on protection of sheep
from dogs. He did not think it worth while
discussing dog law for Montgomery county
They had been trying to get one for twenty-five
years and always failed. He suggested a con-
vention OF several counties. Mr.. c. Lyon ogers,
OF Baltimore county, favored a meeting of the
farmers OF the whole state. Mr.. Sands of the
Maryland Farmer, stated that a meeting of
farmers had been called to meet in Baltimore
city, February 23d. committee OF ten was
appointed to represent the convention In the
proposed meeting.
MIR. Albert Chandlee. from the committee on
hog thistle, made report. and in the discus
sion II was generally agreed that it was hard to
KILL Mr.. HartzhOrn had gotten rid of it by cut
ting the stock off near the root when the plant
was in full bloom. 1t took three years to get
rid OF it. Mr. Samuel HOPKINS and other gen.
| tlemen reported the same experience Mr.
George Stabler thought the moving machine
| the greatest enemy to hog thistle and the plow
| the best means OF spreading it.
The convention then adjourned for lunch
This was served in a schOol-hOuse back of the
Lyceum by the following committee of ladies ::
Misses Lizzie Moore Lizzie I. Stabler, Lucy
Snowden, Mrs. Sarah T. Miller. Mrs Sarah NJ.
Hallowell and Mrs. Annie F. Gpin
The " ladies' ladies' were We're assisted by Messrs.
Charles G. Porter. W. w. Moore. ]. l.. Mas
sey and I. NJ, Hallowe. The menu comprised
all the most appetizing dishes of the season.
deliciously cooked and served cold with hot
coffee.
At the afternoon session Mr.. ]. B. Ager. of
Prince Georges county, exhibited some ensilage
which he claimed was sweeter than any he had
ever seen. and the milk from cows fed on it did
not smell Of it. He had put up his ensiIage last
year more slowly than formerly, employing
| about three weeks in doing it, The convention
gave the ladies who served the lunch a rising
vote of thanks. Mr.. VIM II. FarQuhar. vete-
ran of the senior club reported on its affairs
He said it was organized over forty years ago
by eight farmers. For the first four years of its
existence the aggregate average of the wheat
| yield Of the members was 221I bushels to the
acre. The yield of corn was 10 bushels to the
acre; other crops in proportion. The average
OF wheat in 1884 had more than doubled. and
corn had gone up 20 50 bushels to the acre. The
! report concluded with charming pen-picture
| of model Montgomery county farm.
An abstract from the proceedings Of the En-
| terprise club was read by Mr.. Asa NJ Stabler.
The average wheat yield on the farms of the
members of the club for 1884 was % 40 bushels
to the acre; corn about 4S bushels to the acre:
oats 30 bushels and rye 1615 bushels. The best
| crop or wheat raised by member of the club
| yielded As 9-10 bushels to the acre. the best
| single crop of corn 60 bushels to the acre. Dr.
| Frank Thomas reported the Montgomery club.
The average yield was: Wheat. "a bushels; corn,
4S; oats 2Os4 and rye, 1614 bushels to the acre
The convention debated the question at some
| length "1s it advisable to introduce foreign
labOr9" Many gentlemen participated in the
discussion, and the convention decided the
question in the affirmative by large majority
| After discussing number Of other questions
| the convention adjourned