Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-04-22
WOODLAWN AGRICULTURAL CLUB.

Reported for the Alexandria GaZcttc.)
The April meeting OF the Woodlawn
Farmers Club was held at Dilworth Buck
mans on ;hc 18th instant, President Pier.
son in the chair. The threatening weather
OF the morning gave place to bright and
pleasant afternoon, when u goodly company
assembled 10 discuss the lime question,
which was introduced by reading an article
from the Practical Farmer, of Philadelphia,
wherein it was stated that the former prac.
tice of lining on sod for cork, or between
the plowing and narrowing, had been aban-
doned in 4 large degree in that vicinity, the
light of experience having shown that it was
more advantageous TO apply the lime on the
young grass after the wheat was taken off,
CORTLAND Lukens promptly protested
against this being received as gospel, as the
idea came from small body of gentlemen
farmers, prominent among whom was w.
NJ. Singerly, of the Philadelphia Record,
and that they were not practical men, but
farmed by proxy, without regard to cost,
more for recreation than profit, and that
they were not safe guides for those of limit.
ed means TO follow.
This brought out several members on the
other side of the question, who thought
such men were benefit TO agriculture, as
they had both the means and disposition to
experiment and investigate.
+. Z. Mason thought it was an evidence
that progress WAS being made in agriculture,
and the class referred to, including such men
as Lawes and Guibert, in conjunction with
the advanced agricultural chemists OF the
times, were doing much good in lifting
farmers out OF the old rut5.
Then followed an inquiry as to the bene-
fits that had resulted from the use of lime in
this section, and the experience given in
showed rather conclusively that where lime
had done the most good was on land well
supplied with vegetable matter, and gener.
ally had the most marked effect on Ioamy
or light soils. Several stated that they had
used without much, or any benefit, but near
" all such instances are where the land was
thin. The cases where lime has benefited
poor land have generally been exceptional
and owing TO local conditions.
Samuel Pullman had used gas. lime with
good results, lis cheapneSa was its recon-
mendation. lie had used II on wheat to
the injury Of the crop, but the following
grass crop had been greatly benefited. 1t
was not best to put on too much litue of any
KIND at one time, little and often is the
motto. An instance where 500 bushels per
acre were used was cited and poor crops for
several years Was the result.
A vote was taken on the question:
whether stone lime could be used to ad-
vantage in this section. II it could be had Mt
price not exceeding fifteen cents per bush
ell, delivered 1T The nearest railroad sta
tionS ~ which resulted four to one in favor
Of lime, and five thousand bushels would be
wanted the .ir%s ~ %caSOn upon the condi-
tions s,atc;i. From .he reading of the crit
ical report it appeared that the farm of the
host contains l59 acres, he most OF it now
under culivatiol,, and the larger portion
having been covered hy the primitive forest
when he took possession some thirty-hve
years ago. He follows mixed farming, and
has butter dairy with q stock of twelve
COWS and heifers, besides seven calves that
are being raised; also five work horses and
fine two year old colt several hogs, and
one grown-up pet lamb that seemed lone
some. All the stock is in good order There
are thirty acres in wheat, which compared
very favorably with llnt of his neighbors,
and about the same amount in grass; four
teen acres manured aud p!owed for corn,
also land for early and late potatoes
1t was thought that the corn crop of the
past year must have been heavy, as the crib
was forced severa! degrees from perpendicu.
lar by the heavy weight imposed upon it.
1t was noticed that the farm was rather de-
void Of fencing and the question was raised
as to the desirability Of doing with less of
that expensive adjunct to farming and grow
more soiling crops. There are many advan.
tages in this course, and there is an evident
tendency in that direction as the years go by.
In conclusion, our friend Buckman was
commended for the industry and energy
that has been displayed upon this farm,
placing him in the ranks of the public bene-
factors. and it was thought that if his exam
pie was more extensively followed commu-
nism, strikes, and kindred evils would not
flourish. Next meeting at Samuel Pulmans
May 10Th. Critical committee, T. n. Blunt,
D. Buckman and w. Walton.
W. GILLINGHAM, secretary.
OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE MAILS.