Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-12-22
WOODLAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
(Reported for the Alexandria Gazette.)

The Woodawn Farmer. Club met at
"WoodlaTn'' December 10 b, President
Pierson in the chair. The committee to
which was referred the subject of local gov.
eminent in the matter of roads made the
following report. Having carefully read
and considered the present road law tor
Fairfax county we deem it inexpedientto
attempt the alteration of said lay so as to
suit this and other districts OF this county.
We unanimously recommend that the egis-
lature be petitioned to grant US charter of
incorporation embracing the limits of Mt.
Vernon district into town corporate, vest
ing the government of said town for road
purposes in five trustees who shall provide
for working the streets and roads of the
town and defining the boundaries OF the
same. We do this, with the firm belief that
our public roads can be worked TO better
advantage and eventually ut less expense
than under tho present system or by any
other system that could be likely 10 suit
other portions of the county. Under the
township system THAT was in force for ten
wears and which received a large majority
| vote against its repeaI the officers who
managed the affairs of tho township were
tho Supervisor, the Road Commission
| er and the Assessor. A clerk and collector
were also elected to keep the records and
| TO collect taxes, making five persons paid
out of the township fund for services rem
dered. 1t is we'll remembered that under
this system, taxes were promptly collected
with less delnquents and the money judi
ciously expended, giving better satisfaction
to tax payers and citizens generally, than
under the present system. II is proposed
to return 10 this system of local self govern
ment as near as may be in this act, we ask
of our legislature. And as the township
name and system was obliterated by
constitutional amendment. We ask for
these former privileges to be given Us
under the name of the town of Mount YER
| non, with its five trustees as managers. A
bill has been prepared and is herewith sub
| mitted for your consideration.
n. w. PIERsoN
@. LUKENs
W. GILLINGHAM.
4. W. HARRISON.
! Committee.
After some debate the report was adopt.
ed, and the act Of incorporation submitted,
was taken up by sections, which brought on
| a lengthy discussion, some thinking 1t
might be in conflict with the constitution.
After having consumed most of the time Of
| the session the bill was referred back to the
committee in order that they might consult
some competent authority, so as TO conform
to the constitutional requirements, and TO
| be reported TO meeting of citizens Of the
district to be held at Kirby's school house
on the 2Gth inst. at one o'clock p. m. Dur
ing the discussion Joseph Darby, of Wash
ington city, gave some of bis experience as
supervisor of roads whlo living in Mary
land, stating that good roads could only he
| had by the overseer putting on an album
dance of good, honest work for the sake Of
| improved roads, and not for the money that
was in if.
W.M. King, of the Agricultural Depart
ment, Washington, also spoke of the i'm
portance of good roads, and gave some ac-
count of the working of the road system in
Ohio.
The critical report was read referring to
the commanding situation of "WoodlaWn
House,, with its fine view Of both land and
water-the farm of 140 acres CT hill and
valley land being adapted TO fruit and stock
raising. A largo lot of corn in the barn
pulled off the stalk uahusked, led to the
inquiry if it was a good plan to follow.
Some thought it an advantage on wet or
muddy lard, as it prevented the corn from
becoming dirty, as it would be if husked
and thrown on the ground in the field, but
majority regarded it as economy of time
to husk it at the first handling during good
weather if possible.
In the evening the entire company, in
GLIDING the ladies, assembled in the capa-
cous parlor to hear an essay on small fruits
and their culture by W. NJ. King, Chief Of
the Seed Division Of the Agricultural De-
partment at Washington. 1t was we'll
written and instructive address, in which
the most approved methods Of cultivation,
the best varieties for general planting, the
average profits, and general directions for
the preparation of soils, &C., were given in
| practical manner. At its conclusion Mr..
King received a unanimous vote of thanks.
| The next meeting will be held at the
home of the President, n. W. Pierson, on
| the 10th of January-Critical Committee,
| W. Walton, It. w. Blunt and 3. Barton.
w. GILLINGuAM, Secretary.