Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-09-25
wooD1AwN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
fReported for the Alexandria Gazette.


This society met at the house of Benjamin
Barton on the 10Th inst, President Pierson
in the chair. Some questions were asked
about the probable efficacy of the efforts OF
the State Farmers Assembly to advance
the farming interests, which opened wild
| field for discussion.
G. Lukens deprecated the habit OF some
| in decryiDg the calling of the farmer, and
reiterated his conviction that it was an oc-
cupation as noble and entitled to as much
respect as any other, and insisted that we
should resist strongly all efforts to lower
the standard. In this connection he read
from the Southern Planter the report of an
interview with T. S. Gould, secretary of the
| Connecticut State Board of Agriculture,
which was very much to the point. Several
present thought that, in spite of the argu-
ments to the contrary, the fact nevertheless
remained that it was impossible to get rich
at the business and even very moderate
degree of success did not accrue to any one
without deal of hard work, but the idea
rather prevailed that these had mistaken
their calling or location. The sentiment of
the majority seemed to be that life on the
farm is very much as you make it, and
ClaC SUCCESS Ol Guo IlSuG hluo SohhSo
to the tiller of the soil in about as full mea-
sure as to those in any other business. Just
as we were getting we'll warmed up on the
subject, the question of the day was called
for (which is the easier-the more profitable
and in which do we take the most pleasure
in making poor land good, or in making,
good land rich ?" This seemed to open up
subject of very wide range and developed
such widely different views as to what might
be called good land that it was difficult to
arrive at definite conclusions. 1t is conced-
ed by many farmers that naturally poor
land will grow poorer, while land naturally
rich will grow richer if let alone, which
would be very important factorin the case
Several thought there was most profit in
making good land rich, that the expense of
taking thoroughly barren soil and bring
ing it up to fair degree of productiveness,
was beyond the returns from it, but after 1t
has passed that point and is made rich then
take "bread cast upon the waters, comes
back after many days." The majority
seemed to think there was more pleasure in
converting poor and unsightly field into
productive one, than there would be in the
next stage, as the apparentcnange was great.
er, while it would be easier Ia make good land
rich than poor land good, probably upon the
same principle as advanced by the elderAstor
when he said it was more difficult for him
to get his first thousand dollars than all
HIS millions AS the subject had not been
exhausted it was suggested that we have for
next meeting How to make poor land good
and good land rich to the best advantage ?"
The critical report upon this place was
read, which alluded 10 the unfavorable ap-
pearance of things, in consequence of the
extended drought of over years duration,
but that the corn crop was exceptionally
good. The fruit crop was abundant, the
hay short in quantity but of good quality !;
stock looking WE'LL
| The host, by reason of his ingenuity as a
| mechanic, had surrounded himself with
many convenient appliances and was favor
ed with commodious and handsome dwell
ling, in full view of the three adjacent cities.
The next meeting will be held at John
Ballenger's on the 18th of October. The
critical committee are G. Lukens, l.. Gilling-
ham and D. Buckman.
w. GILLINGHAM, Secretary.