Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-06-01
Reported for the GAzETTE].
The WOOdIawn Farmers Club.

The WOOdIawn Farmers Club.
The May meeting of the Woodawn Farm
er's Club was held ct Cameron" the resi-
dence of James W. Roberts, on the Goth OF
that month, President Pierson in the chair.
The secretary being absent J. n. Gibbs was
chosen secretary pro TEN, From memoran-
da furnished by him the following synop-
sis of proceedings is made out
D. Walton Ballinger from the committee
on fertilizers read paper in which he rec.
commended the outstanding of our home
manurial resources rather than depend too
much on manipulated fertilizers, to feed
literally with grain that the stable manure
might be thoroughly supplied with all the
necessary elements cf plant food instancing
the rapid improvement the principal dairy
farms of the neighborhood. William Hun.
ter, jr., followed with an exhaustive paper
the "Abuse of Fertilizers" quoting largely
from reports of agricultural experiment
stations and other trustworthy sources, rem
dering the essay both interesting and in
structive, though rather too long for inser-
ton in this report. This was followed by q
desultory talk about fertilizers which dritted
into discussion of grass-weeds, &C., nota
bly, the rather poor outlook for much coed
hay this season.
John Ballinger read the report of the criti.
cal committee, stating that while the host of
the day was largely engaged in the dairy
business yet a goodly amount of market
gardening was done. He raises early lambs
for market which he finds quite profitable
from his exceptionally favorable location. His
COWS are kept fat so that they can be readir
y turned into beef whenever circumstances
require it. He plows sod field in the fall
which is sown with rye for early pasture
and is followed By ensilage corn. which is
followed By wheat and grass. He is so well
satisfied with his experience in feeding ensi-
lage that be has just finished @ substantial
silo of 500 tons capacity. The committee
were afraid to give the actual receipts from
this farm for fear it would induce so many
others to try and do likewise, that the mar
kets would be flooded with produce and the
last state be worse that the first. They
thought, too, that it might hurt the feelings
of some of our sensitive neighbors who are
operating on much larger amount Of land.
In conclusion, after looking over the prem.
ses, the committee felt like recommending
their brother farmers to farm better or farm
less land, as being more likely to result in
the permanent improvement OF the country
as we'll as those engaged therein. number
of copies of the report of the State agricul.
tural commissioner for 1887, which had been
received by the secretary, were distributed
and circular read which had been issued
By S. w. Corbin, member OF the State board
of agriculture for the Sth congressional dis
trict, outlining the policy to be pursued by
that organization and inviting the coopera-
tion of farmers throughout the State, which
was approved by the club.
The next meeting will be at A. II. Rob
erts on the 23d of June, when report from
the committee on live stock will be expect
ed. Critical committee G. T. wilkins,
Chas L. Lukens, ]. n. Gibbs
W. GILLINGHAM, Sec'y.