Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-07-15
WooDLAWN AGRICULTURAL CLUB.
(Rcported for the Alexandria Gazcttc.)

The Jaly meeting of the Woodlawn
Farmers Club YVES held at the farm of Oscar
Baker, near Collinwood, on the 10th inst,
President Pierson in the chair.
The reading CT the minutes of the last
meeting brought on discussion about hay
making, the merits of the different kird oil
rakes, etc., some of the self dumping rakes
being objected to in consequence of its be-
ing hard to make them rake clean.
DIP. Smith still sticks to the Old revolv-
ing rake, and there is suspicion that Val
entine Baker is 10 the same liK. The utili-
" of the hay tedder has been demonstrated
in an especial manner this season with its
heavy crops of grass and caprlclous
weather.
G. Lnkers said no had patch OF suSa"
corn ably infested with the bud worm and
asked for remedy. He has had corn in
the same place for three or four years III
succession End change of crop was sug-
gested. An application Of salt or kaini
WAS also recommended.
The critical report was then read and tho
secretary thought best to send il to you eu-
tire. 1t speaks for itself:
To he Jroodiarm Farmers Glib:
Your committee, before beginning their report,
wish it distinctly understood that they are very
far from being mcnhcrs of or In any way con-
nectcd with that, To them, disgusting organza-
ton, n mutual admiration society. They claim
aud ssrt Tho privilege when appointed to act
upon duty like tho present To criticisc freely,
condemning what i'll their Judgment requires II.
and commenting what strikes them AS nerito-
rious and worthy of approval, and we arc happy
to say that in the present case, without the least
intention to istter, We find much OF the lattor
character.
1t is an old saying, tho author Of which We do
not know but who, to use rather slangy phrase,
evidently totcd an exceptional lover head upon
his shoulders, that man who causes TWO spires
of grass to grow where only one grew before was
a public benefactor and deserving oil hish hoh0ra.
What, then shall VIC say Of the man who has
invited us to this agricultural feast to-day where
only two short years ago scarcely sign oil sue.
cessful cultivation was visible? Look around
YOU now, gentlemen Of tho Woodlawn Farmers
Club and you will o, instead OF two spires where
only one grew before countless millions Look at
wonder field, which during the twenty years that
we have known it never produced sufficient YER
durc for the snstcnance of the most economical
and absteniious donkey that ever brayed his COM
plants to All unsympathiZing world. Ihat
field is now feurativcly, grooming under its bur-
den of clover that furnishes most grateful per-
fume to the olfactory nerves of the true agrlcul-
turist. Where Henry A. Wise might have chased
a stump tail steer through scsnty CROWN OF
selgo grass to get tough beef steak for his break
fast that uucaudatcd animal might should he
make his appearance hero to-day, be easily cap.
tured by his legs becoming entapgled Ill that lux
urious trifolum that meets our approving gaze.
Look around you once more. See the smiling
acres redeemed from almost utter waste. Yonder
where owing to the almost Unprecedented wet
season, the corn for supply Of enslage is inst
sprouting. few months ago was dense fore t,
who're roamed the doc and her beautiful fawn,
where crouched the timid hare and prowling Rey-
pard skulked away from the light of tn sun and
the eye of man.
Notwithstanding tho many improvements al
ready made it is evident at glance that our host
has yet an ample field before him on which to ex-
mend his surplus energies and spare legal tenders
before he brings all of his recent purchase Under
the same condition as that which he has under
cultivation.
Since coming in possession of this place. our
entertainer. "a YOU can sec for yourselves, has
erected quito commoaious barn, large sio, and
a substantial corn crib. He has, also. with most
commendable enterprise, conducted tho Water
from an excellent spring to his barnyard, wherea
plentiful and never failing supply of that lndis-
pensable element is always ready to greet the
thirsty teams when they start for, or return from,
their daily labor. His tcams-two yoke OF oxen
aud a span of horses-are IN good condition Tor
what is demanded of them. His young stock.
owing to the lack OF fence are pastured from
home-cxcept one fine grade Holstein bull-so
that we hare no opportunity to examine them
A fine Young orchard is also among his othor i'm
movements which bids fair, in the near future,
to roturn an ample remuneration for tho caro- b.
ctowed uuon it. One feature that strikes us IN
nainfu contrast with the other surroundings, IS a
badly foundered brood marc. 1t was probably an