Montgomery County sentinel., 1885-02-27
Maryland Farmers Convention.

sented by full delegations appointed by the
G ranges and Agricultural Society, and here
tofore pu blished in the SENTINEL.
Judge Robinson. upon taking the chair
made an address, in which, after thanking
the convention for the honor, he bid cor
dial welcome TO the farmers, who represent et
every portion OF the State. He said the pas
year had been prosperous one 10 the average
farmer. They had every reason 10 be pro
foundy grateful TO kind Providence FOL
bountliul crops. The blessed promise of seed
time has been fulfilled, but the cheapened
rates Of transportation to the seaboard, the
| still cheaper rates by ocean shipments, the
opening up of the vast wheat fields OF the
Northwest, and the increased production oi
grain-these causes all combined have re-
duced the price 10 II point below living
profit. Under like conditions like results
| may be expected in the future. The question
confronting US is whether we are still 10 re-
main competitors in the grain markets OF the
world. The average yield of wheat last sea-
son was fourteen bushels TO the acre, and the
price eighty cents per bushe. No farmer can
afford to get fourteen bushels TO the acre and
sell at eighty cents. The cultivation must,
therefore, either be increased or abandoned
altogether. England, with soil no better
than ours, with climate not any more pro-
pitous, averages twenty-seven bushels-near-
| ly two bushels for one here. An increased
| yield to the acre is necessary, and is possible.
The first step is the subdivding of farms.
High manuring, 80 essential to profitable
farming, is out Of the question with large
farms The ordinary commercial fertiiz ers
may be bought, but they are expensive, and
| do not contribute materially to the permanent
improvement Of the land. These questions
open up the question of irrigation which
| question will be discussed before adjournment.
Another matter The burdens of taxation,
which press so heavily on the people, must be
lightened. All know what state and county
taxes are. But there is another tax, not levied
to defray the expenses Of the government, for
the payment Of which every one IS bound to
contribute, but levied with the avowed pnr-
pose OF protecting one class of industry NJ the
expense Of all others. The speaker said that
it was not his intention to enter the domain
of party politics. The question as 10 the
policy of q protective tariff is one which
arises above mere party considerations aud
affects the common interests OF the whole
country. What is this policy The speaker
then referred TO the fact that iron can be
manufactured in England and sent 5000
miles across the ocean and sold here at price
below the cost of production. Congress Is
asked TO levy u tax OF $40 or more on the ton
in order that the man nutacturer here may have
the privilege OF furnishing iron TO us Al AN
increased price. Thus, upon every pound OF
iron used, whether in the shape OF horseshoe
or plow or II sef-bluder, the farmer is Obliged
to pay II royalty for the benefit of this privi-
legged class. Then, again, one proposes TO
manufacture cotton and woolen goods. The
cotton is grown on our soil, but we are met
with the sam. cry-such goods can be manu-
.aclnred elsew here and sold at u price below
the cost of production. So Congress must
levy tax from 30 10 80 per cent. on these
articles. The result is that everything we
buy, from the coats on our back TO the stock
ings on our feet, is taxed This tax we pay
for the benefit of the manufacturer. Now,
suppose the farmer turns the tables, aud says
he cannot raise wheat ut 80 cents per bushel,
aud asks Congress to levy tax OF 40 cents on
every bushel in order that he may get 81 20
per bushel. What would he the universal
answer2 England tried il, but the cry for
cheap bread shook the throne TO its founda-
ions, and an unwilling Parliament was forced
10 repeal the oppressive corn laws. This
method of taxing the whole country for the
benefit Of privileged few is uusound in
principle and At war with the best interests
of the country. When we consider our i'm
mense public debt, and the ever-:ncreasing
nue. would afford all the protection that every
healthy industry needs. Before the late war
q revenue tariff was the settled policy Of the
government, and such was the general pros
perity of every class under the tariff laws Of
l846 and 1856 that no public man was to be
found in this state bold enough to advocate
tariff for protection and but for the war
such would have continued TO be the policy
to-day. Under the present protective tariff
the agricultural interests are depressed, our
commerce frieghted by foreign steamships;
over-production, suspension, industrial con-
vulsions, strikes Of bad feeling between cap-
tai and labor. There are now lying idle in
the treasury millions OF surplus money
Farmers have n right 10 be heard on this
question. or the 1893 millions of exports in
1881, agriculture and its kindred pursuits
furnished over 100 millions-89 per cent. OF
the whole In 1880 the average was about
the same, and gong back for ten years you
will find the average 10 be 80 per cent In
thus advocating return TO the policy OF
revenue tariff he was not governed by any
feeling of hostility to the manufacturers. On
the contrary, we take q just rride in the pros
perity of every class OF indoor industry.
What they did object 10 was tax which en-
riches them and makes the farmers poor in
deed
IN SpehhcT
that farming be made not only a business,
but also source of pleasure. 1t has Of late
been fact that farmers sons have been seek
ing other employments. Positions are ac-
cepted in stores and in doctors and lawyers
Offices This should not be. There must he
more agricultural enthusiasm.
Mr. A. A. Welsh offered resolution call
ing upon the Maryland Senators and Repre-
sentatives in Congress TO use all honorable
means 10 reform the tariff laws, SO that the
agricultural products may enter into fair COM
petition with other industries. Other resolu-
lions were also introduced TO prevent discrm-
nations against farmers in freight and pas
senger r.tes 10 reduce salaries OF State Off
GERS for u law punishing trespasses with gun
and dog with fine or imprisonment, or both;
to modify or repeal the present fence law; 10
prevent stock running NJ large that stock
men be urged 10 ship their stock upon such
days 10 the week as will prevent the present
mode OF selling sIock on Sunday
DR.. ID. II. Salmon, veterinarian of the U.
S. Department of Agriculture, read paper
on "log Cholera - This, he said, is an
acute infection and contagious fever, charac-
terized by increased temperature, loss OF ap.
petite and redness Of the skin, frequently ac-
companied by cough and diarrhoea. Afier
death the lungs ARE congested and infiamed,
and the large bOWels contain great ulcers
Not only will diseased hog spread The
plague when placed among lot OF healthy
ones, but a small particle OF the dried liquid
from the lungs Of dead hog has been sent
from Illinois 10 Washington, and when, al
though no larger than the head OF pin,
placed under the skin Of a healthy hog, il
produces the disease in that animal. lnocu-
laiion is the best remedy, aud yaccina tion
will at some time solve the problem. Until
then the killing of diseased hogs Is the only
preventive. Legislation Is necessary in State
and county to keep the evil within bounds.
Dr. N q. Ellzey, formerly professor in the
Virginia Agricultural College, read II paper
on "Manures, aud how TO use them -
Ex-Gov Hamilton having been repeatedly
called for, took the platform amid a storm OF
applause. He spoke on "Tbe Cereals-shoud
we keep up and extend the cultivation Of
wheat, or gradually give 1t up and turn 10
other crops? Can we not increase our cereal
crops pro6tably by improved methods Of cul-
| tivation2p Speaking Of railroad discrimina-
ton, he said "With the resources that we
l.s- 81