Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-01-22
WOODLAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
"VVUNn"N nUHIS
fp.oo-ad for rb, Alexandria Gazette

(R.por.ed for tho Alexandria Gazettej
The January meeting OF the WOODLAND
Farmers Club was held at the home OF the
President, n. W. Pierzon, on the 10Th inst
The reading of the minutes gave rise to
some further remarks relative to the propos-
ed change in the road system, and some ad-
ditional names were subscribed TO the petit
ton in its favor.
The subject of Experiment Stations, left
over at a former meeting. was called up,
and further discussion bad upon it.
A circular from the Secretary of the South
Side Farmers Club, witn an accompanying
petition addressed to the Legislature, asking
for an appropriation of fifteen thousand dol
lars. for tho establishment of Experiment
Stations in connection with the three COL
leges that have agricultural departments at
tached, ia this State, was read. Tne mem
| bers Of the clue were requested TO sign the
petition, and have IL forwarded 10 RIcn.
| mond by the tenth of JANUARY; but the time
| being past, the petition was not signed. An
expression was had ia regard TO the propo-
sitiop, the members being av-rse to making
said appropriation, without some guarantee
rs to proper disposition Of II. There Is q
general impression that no practical benz ht
would result to farmers, if the appropriation
proposed should be placed in charge OF the
said colleges, under the present system OF
management. It was thought that better
results would follow if it could be in charge
of the Commissioner Of Agriculture. In
con uection with this subject, G. Lukens read
several articles from the New York Tribune
| in regard to industrial cduca!iou-ha being
| strongly in favor Of extending such facilities
| to the masses, rather than to n favored few.
An article was read relative to expert
ments at the Kansas Agricultural College,
| in feeding clear corn meal and cob mea =,
! wherein il appeared that the greatest hene-
| ft was received from the COB meal; and a
report from the New Jersey Experiment
| Station was cited also in confirmation Of the
same thing.
| Most Of those present remained skepilcaI
on the subject. This drew out some ex-
pressions as 10 the relative value Of white
and yellow corn for feed, aud a. 70 their
comparative productivenes5 On the same
soils. It seemed 10 be conceded that there
was but little difference between them in
the large-cob varieties, but that the small
| cob eight ard ten rowed white corn would
| produce best on poor land.
There were present "a visitors Dir. Dodge,
Superintendent of Mt. Vernon, and Rev. J.
M. Nourse, pastor of the First Presbyterian
| Church at Alexandria. The halter gentle
man seems to have had a varied experience
| in life. His restless energy has led him III
the line of civil engineering. farming, mining,
| missionary work, industrial school. for III
digept children and iiasliy, the crowuing
occupation Of the true phIian, hropist. il
which be is now engaged. We were much
| interested, or at least some OF Us, in follow
| ing him as, in his easy, conversational way,
he led us through the rich dairy regions .!
central Pennsylvan whore their copi3u7
and innumerable springs and streams seem
to exempt them from the effects Of drought;
along the widely extended plateau OF the
Atlantic slope, where slick ahounds to the
Infinite advantage of the wheat crop; the
rural districts of West Virginia, with their
| primitive agricultural appliances, and the
| hill slope along the Ohio river, with it's phc-
nominal production Of core continually,
and where wheat will not grow. Ii was
his belief that the Agricultural! College Of
Pennsylvania, with ils ample farm, Was de-
ing grand work for the farmers Of 1Ea.
State, and was fully appreciated by them.
Next meeting at T.. Lukens'a, Feb. l3.
Subject, Upon what production Of the
| the past year?" Critical Committee, A. W.
Harrison, w. Hunter, jr., aad I. w. Diunt.
There was DO critical report to day, none Of
| the committee being present..
w. GILLINGHAM, Secretary.