Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-03-04
wooDLAwN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The February meeting was held on the
last day of the month at Lewis Gilling ham S
c. Lukens was chosen chairman with N
w. Pierson secretary.
The critical report on the farm of W. Gil
lingham, where the club met in January,
was read, in which they notice decided
advance in improving the farm, in grub
bing, ditching and fencing; also in farm
stock, young orchard of fruit trees in
good condition and bearing we'll wheat
looking badly, like all in the neighborhood.
Two critics on the farm of the host made
reports complimenting him on the many
decided improvements made on the farm
and farm buildings since the last meeting
held there. The farm being peculiarly
adapted for grazing, the butter.dairy busi
ness seems to be the leading industry, and
is being reinforced by raising young stock
from some of the best dairies in this section.
From the size of his corn fodder the COM
mittee Judged that his corn crop was not
what it should have been last season. They
suggested that it would be better for the
host and for all others to plant no more
corn than they can thoroughly manure and
cultivate, thereby saving labor and expense
in cultivation. This farm is of 100 acres with
never failing stream of water running
through it; the farm buildings are centrally
located, and large, new, convenient dwell
ling built, in modern style, with large lawn
in front, makes it one of the most attract.
i've farms in Mt. Vernon District.
The proposed amendments to the consti-
tuition, which were laid upon the table sew
eral months ago, were, on motion, taken
up for discussion. The first change pro-
posed, in making the officers ineligible for
reelection the next year, after having serv-
ed term, was rejected. The second change
to add to the duties Of the recording secre-
tary that of corresponding secretary, was
adopted. The third proposed change; for
each member to pay to the treasurer u
yearly due of one dollar, was laid upon the
table.
A communication, received by the Secre-
tary from Rome in Italy, addressed
"Illustrissimo Signore, Signore Secretary OF
the Agricultural Society of Alexandria,
District of Columbia, United States ot
America
"The committee appointed by all set OF
Parliament, passed on the 8th Of July, 1883,
having determined to make q special in
quiry into the condition of American and
colonial agriculture, especially a regards
the cereal and the meat production, ask for
information on the cost aud ares OF produc.
ton, the trade, the cost of carriage, the
prices, ETC., Of agriculture! commodities
either generally in the United states and
Canada, or iu any particular district nr col
ony. Any information on Incidental points
as homestead laws, land assessment, rates
of interest, labor wages, immigration, etc.
and especially as to general and local taxes
upon land and agriculture; or any report,
paper, article, list of prices, freights, ETC..
published by you and with which you could
favor the committee, would be most wei.
come to them.
with best thanks and deep esteem, we
are very respectfully your obedient servants,
"SENAToR F. r. BRIoSCHI,
Chairman
The secretary was directed to reply to
the request, giving such information as this
limited section furnished.
A package of circulars received from
Randolph Harrison, Commissioner of Agri-
culture of Virginia, giving the official analy-
sis of all the fertilizers sold in the State and
the commercial value Of each, were dis
tributed.
The rules and regulations for the sale OF
fertilizers adopted by the Commission were
read.
These valuable documents, received as
soon as published are of great advantage
to every farmer purchasing fertilizers in
guiding him in his selection of those that
bear the commercial value of such ingre.
dients as he requires in his fertilizer.
The question for the day, what course
should be pursued to get the greatest profit
from cows? was taken up for discussion
Several articles were read from agricultural
papers on the subject. Various opinions
were expressed on the right time to take
calves from their mothers, the general GUS
tom being to commence feeding them when
they were two or three days old if they
were to be raised for future use. The
necessity of raising calves from the best
COWS in our dairies was urged as of great
importance to every dairyman on account
of the scarce and high price of 6rst-class
cows
The amount of ground feed given each
COW by the best dairymen was from II to
Is pounds daily, mixture of corn mea
bran and cotton.seed meal.
The question for consideration ut the
next meeting of the club was: How to raise o
crop Of corn?
A. w. Harrison, John Ballenger, and
Lewis Gillingham were requested to pre-
pare papers to be read on the subject
! The next meeting will be held ut Isaac
Snowden's March %.
The Critical Committee are Miles Thomp
son, V. Baker and N. Gibbs.
FoUR-F1FTHs Of our American people are
afflicted with sick headache in either it:
nervous, bilious or congestive forms, caused
by irregular habits, high living, ETC., ant