Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-03-19
wooDLAwN AGRICULTURAL CLUB.

The March meeting of the Woodlawn
Fartnet@' Club was held at A. w. Harrison's
on the 15:h inst, President Pierson in the
chair.
When tie minutes Of last meeting were
read c. Lukens took exception to the criti-
cal report so far as to say that he did not
think enalage was good for making butter;
while the yield O! milk was satisfactory he
believed the quality Of the butter was in
ferior, and he would say tho same Of corn
stalks and oat straw. He would prefer good
hay every time if be could have it,
A. w. Harrison said there was no doubt
but corn fodder in good condition would in
crease the yield of milk.
E. e. Mason thought that corn fodder,
grown thickly, that had not ripened crop
of grain, was equal TO hay FOR butter max
ing.
The subject for the days discussion,
"What sized farm and what system of man
agement is best adapted 10 this locality"
being taken up,
D. Buchanan said he would like farm of
200 acres and milk dairy.
When E. e. Mason wss called he read the
following essay:
In regard TO the first query under discussion to day
would say il matters but little 10 the number ofacres
man may have under his control they may be
limited only by the ability of tho individual and the
amount Of capital nj his command for i'll order TO make
of his occupation II Is just necessary for tho
farmer 10 have some means TO operate with for any
other calling. As 10 the effect the body polite am
decidedly i'll favor of small farms, larger number of
comfortable bones thereby being created, the tendency
some influence the affairs of ncghborhood and
State The second question IL 10 what crops we had
better cultivate source OF profit has been discussed
in this club several occasions without coming to any
definite result do not think good policy to rely on
any special crop or branch of farming with view
absolute success TO illustrate by the Of an old
adagc il is not best TO trust your eggs all i'll bas
kct. Take the wheat crop, for instance a few years
the rcnunerativc prices for this grain stimulated
the farmers not only of our country but every where
else this globe where could be grown extra
done. Now, do consider that ii would be wisdom
in abandon the cultivation OF this crop. Experi-
would Ia teach and the practice Of farmers
generally proves that il i the hest crop to lay down
grass with and need the straw both for feed and lit
ter Ii we refer to stock applied to the dairy interest
who butter producers thrown into compete
tion with the manufacturers Of hogs:rticle, tho mag
nudc al whose operations VIC can hardly form any
conception One hundred millions Of pounds from
the single Stale of California last year. And yet true
policy would dictate that we continue in this line even
though profits do not equal bur desires. And
might through the different crops and interests
connected will. agriculture There are many cir
cum and contingencies which have no
control to contend with that makes ii very risky 10 in
dulgc with spccincs. For example; some years ago
certain districts in III. State New York were devoted
almost exclusively to the cultivation of wheat in the
lapse of few wears this crop from various causes had
to be abandoned, and general system of farming
introduced bringing with success and prosperity So
with what was known rs the staple crops of the South
the change in the system of labor and tho competition
with other cotton and sugar growing regions is gradu
ally forcing them TO adopt diversified practice,
with fruits and vegetables from the South Atlantic
States, but many the sugar plantations of Louisiana
and other states along the Mississippi being turned
into immense trucking gardens with the advantage of
continuous, succession of crops supplying the north
western states that there is nothing strange in their
eating green peas and tomatoes with strawberries for
desert. all fresh from the vines, with the thermometer
20 degrees below But 10 return TO Sec
tion. know in whicl, the individual makes a
specially of fruit particularly strawberries he negects
his crop until the season is over and the result is
fodder and nibhns lie had quite nice little plum in
bank nj the close Of the fruit which is now
pretty well exhausted i'll buying provcnder for his stock.
ruts. When used 10 drive team ifthcrc any
certainty about the road always found safer to keep
cars was pretty certain 10 pull through So in our
occupation, unless discovers in himself genius for
specially, lie had better avoid switching off OH
side trucks but keep pcging away variety of crops
some of which will be pretty apt to succeed.
John BalIenger agreed substantially with
the views expressed in the essay. A. W.
Harrson's opinion was that if a man had
the capacity to farm 100 acres well he could
enlarge bis operations and work 200 or 800
acres, if he had sufficient capital, without
increasing his expenses in corresponding
ratio.
10. Kerby thought if he had the capital
he would like about 1000 acres, and woald
go into stock raising.
Walter Walton would like 100 acres of
arabic land, and 25 Of woodlands; then keep
the land in grass as much as possible, and
plow no more than just enough to preserve
i thrifty sod, and would want about $40 per
acre for working capital.
]. W. Roberts thought large farm could
be worked to quito as good advantage as
small one if enough working capital was
had He incidentally remarked that some
of the farmers of Culpeper 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 Gairymen present.
J. n. Gibbs wanted 500 acres and 100
cows He thought that a man with good
healthy shadow could manage big farm if
he attended 10 his business.
The secretary did not quite grasp the
idea about the shadow" Any one going
into the farming business largely might in
terview J. N. G. on the subject.
President Pierson thought moderate
sized farm was most desirable. He would
invest half of his capital in the farm, re
tanning the residue for improving the same;
then make every acre produce to its full
capacity.
D. Thompson and J. ]. Downey were in
favor of small farms-thorouehl enriched.
c. Lukens was decidedly in favor of a
small farm with about SIS per acre for
working capital. He thought 100 acres
enough for the average farmer and favored
general farming with a diversity OF crops.
The object should not be so much to make
/ money as to build up comfortable and
happy home. In reviewing the subject it