Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-12-21
woodlawn Farmers, Club.

Reported for the ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE
The December meeting of the Wood!awn
Farmers Club Was held at the residence Of
Daniel Thompson on the 18th instant,
President Pleraon il the chair. D. N. Mes
bit, esq.,, of Agricultural College Station,
Nd, was present and by invitation gave
some interesting facts and statistics in re-
gard to tile draining. He spoke of the vast
amount of 1t being done in some of the west
ern States, notably Ohio, Indiana and Hi
nois TO great profit. He said It was not sd-
yisable to do it by halves, it must be done
thoroughly and we'll, ii satisfactory returns
are to be expected. He advocated the es-
tablishment of tile factory near Washing
ton and stated further if any persons were
in immediate need Of tile they coald be had
from Ohio in car load lots, at rea onablc
prices. A ditcbiDg maohine for opening and
refillng tile drains has been in successful! ope
ration ia that State which reduced The cost
OF The operation very much. Mr.. Nesblt
has purchased part of Caiverls Manor,
near Blacksburg, which he has much i'm
proved by the use OF draining tile.
When The stock committee was called Oh
for report, A. w. Harrison made some II
marks, recommending falm meis 20 raise what
stock was needed oii ,hr iarm espe claly
bosses and cu#s He thauehi thero was
much better cnsoce Of get;lhs ihe quai-
itice desired in stock thau 10 depend on
buying. Some ofihe milk dairy r,en houeht
they could better afford 10 buy COWS than
to raiee them, while snms were raising
number Of their best c1lVes. Good grade
cows are generally satisfactory, but it is
best to have thoroughbred males Tho same
may be said Of borses.
Eebert Thompson favored Hosteins for
the dairy on acCout Of doclity and sizs
On comparing the cost CT raising heifer
or colt some thought there was not much
difference, but those OF that view we're
rather in the minority If ensilage could
be fed to colts it would cheaper the cost of
raising. The experience Of some was
against that course.
Mr.. Nesbit stated that Francis Norris;
near Baltimore, had fed ensilage successful
ly to bis racing stock.
Then followed discussion ofthe silo ques.
tlon and the best method of building them.
Il was generally conceded that they should
be built with sloping eldes go that the tend
ency In settling would be 10 compact the
coDtents at the outer edges.
J. N. Gibbs read an essay on the horse,
giving his experience in breaking colts. He
thought they should be let pretty much
alone until they were ready to be put to
work, and was of the opinion that the
French Coach was the coming horse for this
country. When the secretary reached out
for his essay he put it in his pocket and said
his remarks might be considered as verbal.
In the discussion that followed it appeared
the maiority were in favor of handling colds
from the start.
J. ". Roberts read the critical report
stating in substance thatelnce the last meet
ing here, marked Improvement was noticed
in several particulars. The farm as
whole shows the beneficial effect of well
kept milk dairy, and while it was too late
to make much comment on the growing
crops the wheat looks well portion of the
field on which turnips were grown shows
faith in late Gown grain. The dairy con-
sists of so COWS, that ore well kept in COM
Portable stables, and most of them look like
they would repay the care extended them.
For their comfort we'll has been dug of
great depth and st considerable expense
which was considered great improvement,
furnishing very necessary article in the
profitable production of milk. This place
has long had very good reputation for its
poultry and egge. Nature 40 bountifully
does her part toward beautifying this place
that it must be comparatively easy task
to supplement her efforts.
The next meeting will be at Holm Hail
on the 18th of January. The committee on
grasses and forage crops will report.
W. GILLINGHA3f, Sec.