Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-06-18
WooDLAWN AGRICULTURAL CLUB.
(Rcportcd for the Alexandria Gazette.


Farmers Club was held at Walter Walton's
on tho 18th inst President Pierson was at
his post as usual, having recently returned
from trip to Minnesota. His impressions
of tho country along his route were not such
as to induce him to Immediately sell and
emigrate. In view of the sudden climatic
changes, extremes of weather, and other
characteristics of that Northwestern coun.
try, he is quite satisfied with his present
home. He saw no wheat on his whole route
as good as can be seen near home. Spring
wheat was very much injured by drought.
When the minutes of last meeting were
read the portion relating to the difference
between work and labor was commented
upon, some two or three of the most active
members avowing that they could not see
much difference, Valentine Baker, especially,
stating that he had been experimenting
with both kinds since last meeting and found
that it made the sweat come in either case.
The question Of the day being taken up,
"How farmers can practice economy to the
best advantage" some reluctance was
manifested in tackling the subject Walter
Walton suggested reading the report of
the Deer Creek Farmers Club, on the
same subject, from the american Farmer
of April 1st. This seemed to cover
the whole ground so we'll not
much was left to be said except to commend
certain good points made therein, among
which Were-to reduce tho area of land
worked, rather than the amount of labor or
quantity Of fertilizers, and to make sure
that what were offered as fertilizers were
really worth the cost in available plant food;
to employ the best class of farm labor; to
keep only the best stock; to stop the small
leaks as we'll as large ones, and pay strict
attention to business.
In the discussion that followed the ques
tion of fertilizers received considerable at
tention.
Valentine Baker had used mixture of
South Carolina phosphate, kainit and plas-
ter, costing about $l4 per ton, at the rate of
500 pounds per acre on wheat, which gave
promise of a heavy yield. He had also
grown corn and rye, with occasionally a
crop of buckwheat (the two latter turned
under) for several years, upon field badly
infected with garlic, resulting in substan.
TALLY exterminating the latter; the field had
improved in productiveness, though but lit
tie manure had been used.
c. Lukens reiterated his convictions that
lime was one Of the most economical ma
nures that could be used, aud spoke Of its
good effects where he had used it,
The increased prevalence of broad leaved
plantain in the fields was alluded to, and 1t
was thought that tho seed came with the
grass seed in many Instances.
The query was raised whether sapling
clover was a different variety from the
other.
V. Baker and a. w. Harrison replied
that it was 1t is claimed to be later it
ripening, and thus better to grow with tim
othy.
"Is smooth knife in reaper better to
cut grain where there is much grass? ?" was
the next question, and several answered in
the affirmative.
From the critical report it appears that
the farm of the host contains about 200
acres, the most OF it rolling enough to drain
properly; is tolerahly we'll watered a clay
loan adapted to grass growing; he has
stock of nine cows, four heifers and two
Jersey bulls, one yearling. Several grade
Holstein heifers that were on the place at
the time of the last meeting here have dis
appeared. He has butter dairy there
are six work horses, with mare and colt,
also fine stallion two brood sows, four
teen shoats and a Berkshire boar; very
good field of wheat, a field partly sown in
oats and looking we'll, the remainder to go
in millet. For the amount of stock the pas
ture was good, as the blue grass was in
head on much of it. Very considerable i'm
proyement had been made about the build.
ines: new ice house and smoke house
had been built; also q cistern at the barn,
and needed repairs had been made about
the dwelling.
The next meeting will be at the farm of
Oscar Baker, July 10th. Critical Commit.
tee, D. P. Smith, S. H. Snowden and Will
liam Hunter, sr. w. GILLINGHAM,
Secretary.