Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-10-19
WoodIawn Farmers Club.

Reported for the ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE
The October meeting OF the Woodlawn
Farmers Club wac held at the residence of
T. W. Blunt on the 18Th inst, President
Pierson in the chair. Reading the minutes
induced some further consideration OF the
cheat subject.
President Pierson stated that an acqualn.
lance told him he had collected mature
seed of cheat and planted it for three years
10 succession as all experiment but failed to
have any of it grow-this was in Michigan.
Ga the other hand E. E. Mason said be had
spread cheat straw and seed on some bare
spots where no grass would grow and had
good stand.
James w. Roberts spoke OF cheat being
generally supposed to come in where wheat
vas eaten off or otherwise backened In its
growth, but on portion OF hs field the
past season that was badly eaten CT by
fowls, no cheat was eeen.
The general view obtained that the seeds
of cheat like those of many other species OF
plants and trees remain dormant in the soil
sometimes for very many years, until the
conditions are favorable for termination
when they spring forth. AS for instance, 10
some sections OF the country il forest OF
hard wood is cut of it Is followed by
growth OF pines, and when the pines in turn
ara cut they will be followed by growth OF
hard wood again. The secretary recently
cleaned out we'll twenty five feet deep
that was securely covered 80 that no seeds
could get in and the mud from the bottom
that was thrown out ia pile on the sur
face was covered in less than a month With
thick growth of minute plants.
a. W. Harrison, on behalf OF the stock
committee, when called on Tor report in
relation to the new fig, read an article
in the "Country Gentleman Of October
l1th, describing their habits and also re-
ply 10 Tho same Dy DE-. Lintner. State Ent-'
omoloeist Of Pennsy lvania. stating hat sam
pies of this fly which ne had received, had
been sent to Baron Ostensacken, of Heidel-
berg, Germany, the first authority on dip
terra the fy) i'll the world, and his reply
when received would be furnished that pa
per for publication.
N. Gibbs asked If corn that had been
badly frost bitten was Injured for feed il put
| in silo promptly.
President pierson stated that recent re-.
port from one of the experiment stations,
maintained that it was not 1t was gen
shocked soor sitter it was frorsted, before it
was wasted by the winds il was nearly rs
good as ever. In a conversation that follow
ed abous the corn crop this season, it APP
n.ared that A. H. Roberts he'd an eXcep-
tionally good one, which was attributed in
good part to the fact that he bad drilled in
a liberal dressing of fertilizer with the wheat
drill before planting.
]. w. Roberts asked how alsike clover
would do here. Those who had tried it,
thought it no better than the common red.
There being no report from the critical
committee o recess Was taken to inspect the
premises.
Mr.. BIunt's apecialiies are potatoes and
bay he has in about ten acres of the
former. which promise an abundant
Weld; a very good stand had been
secured. This farm has been produc-
Ing an abundance OF hay for several
years, which appears TO be attributable in a
large degree to the use of oyster shell lime,
which MIR. Bluct has used literally, but he
is particular to have the shells from salt
water-thinks fresh water shells are COM
paratively worthless.
Having Loaf Que Of our oldest members,
John Mason, by death since last meeting,
w. Dillingham;, John Ballenger and James
w. Roberts were appointed to report at next
meeting appropriate resolutions of respect.
The next meeting will be at the home of
President Picrson on The 10 h of November.
The same critical committee ia continued
John Ballepger, Lewis Dillingham; aud S. H.
Buchanan. w GuLINGHAM, SEQ.
By en- oversight the last two reports
were inserted 10 such shape as TO place The
secretary OF the Woodlswn Club in false
position, which was not intended