Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-20

G. Visser%, Edmund II. Woodruff Walter d
d. w. Waltons, E. L. Waters, Geo. B. Young
and Henry Zulauf.
Those marked with have been reported at
Eli r. Brown, Madison Davis, w. d. Fowler
G. A. +: McNeir a; H. Bradley, Charles O. Nor
all having been detailed to other government
employment, the two last named as engineers
Capt Towers and James A. King are marked
| as transferred.
BIG OR LITTLE FARMS9
An Interesting Question Diseased by
the WOOdlaWn Farmers' Club.
The March meeting of the Farmers Club,
| of Woodlawn, Va, was held at A. w. Harri-
sons on the 18th inst, President Pierson in the
chair. When the minutes of last meeting were
read c. Lukens took exception to the critical
report so far as to say that he did not think en-
| silage was good for making butter. While the
| yield OF milk was satisfactory, he believed the
quality Of the butter was deteriorated: and he
would say the same of corn stalks and oat
straw. He would prefer good hay every time If
1t could be had. A. w. Harrison said there
was no doubt but corn fodder in good condition
would increase the yield of milk. E. z. Mason
Thought that fodder corn grown thickly that
had not produced crop of grain, was equal to
hay for butter making.
The subject for the days discussion. "What
sized farm ana what system Of management is
best adapted to this locality?' being taken up
y. Buchanan said he would like a farm of 200
acres and q milk dairy. When +. E. Mason
was called he read an essay, i'm which he SAID:
I'm regard to the first query under discussion
to-day, ! would say it matters but little as to
the nutnoer OF acres Il man may have under his
control they may be limited only by the ability
of the individual and the amount Of capital at
his command. tor in order to make success of
his occupation 1t is just as necessary for the
farmer To nave some means to operate with as
for any other calling. As to the effect on the
body polite, l am decidedly in favor of small
farms; larger number of comfortable homes
thereby being created, the tendency of which
VIII be to exercise IL conservative and whole
some influence over the affairs OF neighbOrhood
and state. As TO the second part OF the question
d" not think it good policy To rely on any one
absolute success, or to illustrate by the use of
an Old i.dage do not trust your eggs all in one
basket Take the wheat crop for instance; u
few years ago the good prices stimulated the
farmers OF this ana other countries to extra ex-
ertions, and the result is plain enough; it was
ovcrdone. But it would not be wise TO abandon
best crop to lay down grass with, and the straw
Is meeaed Tor litter; AS to butter making
with a bogus article that is Hood
Ing the market, yet it would not be wise to
discontinue its manuiacture, if our profits are
not what we would desire. l might cite Il case
in our own neighborhood in which the indi-
viduai makes Il speciality of fruits, especially
strawherries. He neglects his corn crop, and the
result Is fodder and nubbins. Although he had
a snug sum in bank at the close of the fruit sea-
son IL Is about exhausted in buying provender.
mere Is y deal OF harping about getting out of
old ruts, but When l used to drive n team If
there was any uncertainty about the road
aIw i lo1nd It safer to Keep the old track and
as iong as could see the mules ears WAS pretty
certain to pull through. SO in our occupation,
unless one discovers in himself u genius for
some specially he had better avoid switch
ing on ON side tracks; but keep pegging away
at a variety of crops, some OF which will be
pretty sure to succeed"
THE VIEWS OF THE FARMERS
John Ballenger agreed substantially with the
views expressed in the essay just read.
A w. Harrison's opinion was that If q man
had the capacity to farm 100 acres well he
could enlarge his operations and work 300 or
goo acres II he had sufficient capital without
increasing his expenses in corresponding
ratio and thus increase his profits. Buildings
and machinery, for instance, would not have
To be added to in Il very large degree.
j. o. KERRY thought ii he had the capital he
would like about 900 acres and go into stock
Walter Walton would like 100 acres ofarab,e
land and twenty-five OF woodland. Then keep
the land In grass as much as possible, pow no
more than just enough to preserve a thrifty sod.
He would want about $40 per acre for working
capital.
J. w. Roberts thought a large farm could be
one If sufficient capital was had. He incident
ally remarked that some OF the farmers of Gull
pepper were going to change their system from
grain farming to milk dairying, because they
wanted less work. This provoked an audible
smile ON the part of the dairymen present
j. n. Gibbs wanted 500 acres and 100 cows
He thought that man with u good healthy
shadow could manage big farm If he attended
to his business. Tue secretary did not quite
grasp the idea about the shadow, but would
advise any one interested to interview Mr.
Gibbs on the subject.
President pierson thought moderate-sized
farm was most desirable. He would invest
half of his capital in the farm, retaining the
other half tor improving the same, then make
every acre produce TO its full capacity.
D. Ihoinpson and J. ]: Downey were in favor
OF small farms thoroughly enriched.
C.Lukens was decidedly in favor OF a small
farm, with about $40 per acre for working cap
ltal: he thought 100 acres enough for the
farming and a diversity of crops. The object
should not be so much to make money as to
build up comfortable and happy home In
the course OF the discussion the statement of
Judge Bicycle" as to his farming operations, in
the March number OF the Farm Journal" was
read.
ton was called to the fine situation of the
dwelling in which the meeting was held, being
the homestead of the Huntley estate, the resi-
dence formerly OF Judge Thompson Mason.
commanding o view Of the Potomac in the dis
lance, with Fort Washington Mount Vernon
Woodiawn, the hills Of Maryland and the ex.
acres. In which lies the original Mount Vernon
estate.
John J. Downey, of aspiring Bank" was
the District Grange. of Northern Virginia, in u
fair this fall was favorably considered. The
next meeting will be held at d. Buckman's, on
the 18th OF April. Subject: "Does our land
need lime; II 80, how can we best procure and
apply 1t, and 1t what quantity" Critical COM
mittee-Walter Walton, John Ballenger and
james Hunter, jr.
SuperstitiOus Humanity.
From the st. Paul Mimi Globe, March 10
From the time that King Saul went down TO
Endor to get an old woman to disturb the dead