The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-01-24
Farmers in Council.

One hundred and fifty farmers met in con-
vention on Monday at Sandy Spring, Mont
gomery county, Nd. They were the mem
bers of three local farmers clubs and their
invited friends from Montgomery and adjoin-
ing counties The convention is an annual
affair which dates back sixteen years.
The convention was called to order at 10
a. m. President Hallowell referred to the
prosperity of the farmers in times of fnan-
cal depression, in so far as that they
could always live in comfort and plenty,
while those dependent upon manufactures
were in trouble. The farmer may 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. be conclud-
ed by hoping that the convention would in the
future as in the past stimulate the community
to improved methods and thorough work gen.
orally.
Mr.. Asa NJ Stabler made some remarks as
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 sug-
gested convention of several counties. MIR.
G. Lyon Rogers, of Baltimore county, favored
meeting of the farmers of the whole State.
Mr.. Sands, of the Maryland Farmer, stated
that meeting of farmers had been called to
meet in Baltimore city, February %. A COM
mittee of ten was appointed to represent the
convention in the proposed meeting.
Mr.. Albert Chandlee, from the committee
on hog thistle, made a report, and in the dis
cussion it was generally agreed that 1T was
hard to kill. Mr.. Hartzhorn had gotten rid
of it by cutting the stock off near the root
when the plant was in full bloom. 1t took
three years to get rid oft. Mr.. Samuel Hop
kins and other gentlemen reported the same
experience. Mr.. George Stabler thought the
moving machine the greatest enemy to hog
thistle and the pillow the best means OF spread
ing it.
The convention then adjourned for lunch.
This was served in a sehool-h back OF the
Lyceum by committee of ladies.
At the afternoon session Mr.. j. b. Ager, OF
Prince Georges county, exhibited some en-
silage which he claims 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
ensilage last year more slowly than formerly,
employing about three weeks in doing 1t:
The convention gave the ladies who served
the lunch rising vote of thanks. Mr.. VIM.
FL. Farquhar, veteran of the senior club, re-
ported on its affairs. He said it was organized
over forty years ago by eight farmers. For
the first four years of its existence the aggre-
gate average of the wheat yield of the mem
bers was 224 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 to so bushel to the acre.
An abstract from the proceedings of the
Enterprise Club was read by Mr.. Asa NJ.
StabIer. The average wheat yield on the
farms of the members of the club for 1884 was
26 40 bushels to the acre ; corn about 48
bushels to the acre oats 80 bushels, and rye
161 bushels The best crop of wheat raised
by a member of the club yielded 45 9-l0
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 48,
oats 203, and rye 16f bushels to the acre. The
convention debated the question at some
length SIS it advisable to introduce foreign
labor? '' Many gentlemen participated in the
discussion, and the convention decided the
question in the affirmative by large majority.