Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-07-28
Woodlawn Farmers. Club.
Reported for the ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE


1t was very pleasant afternoon for the
season when the Woodlawn Farmers Club
and friends assembled, about hundred
strong, at "Grey's Hill," the home of M. R.
Wilkinson, July 21st., President Pierson at
his post, as usual In the absence of any
critical report, accounted for, probably, by
reason of the very busy period of harvest,
Just passed, the secretary may state that the
general appearance OF things about the place
was creditable, friend Wilkinson having but
quite recently located there. Much has
been done toward improvement since his &C.
cupancy of the premises, especially about
the dwelling. Liberal quantities of fertiliz-
ers have been used upon the place and a
steadily growing dairy of graded Jerseys is
coming on. Owing to the all absorbing du.
ties incident to harvest, no reports were
furnished by any of the committees.
The reading of the minutes brought up
the garlic question again and q further
exchange of views regarding methods for it's
determination. The one constant factor, its
strong tenacity of life, could not be lost
sight of, and no method for its destruction
seemed to be regarded with any degree Of
faith.
Major Hine, on behalf of the executive
committee of the farmers convention, sta
ted that as there had been proposition
made to change the time of holding the
same, he would like to hear the views of
members of the club. The two last meet
Jugs were in February when the roads are
apt to be too bad. January, April and De-
cember were suggested. The latter seemed
to have the preference except that the days
were 80 short, while some thought that DO
change could be made to advantage. No
conclusion was reached.
Major Hine having recently returned from
trip west, gave, by invitation, some ac
count of the agricultural outlook. He said
that with the exception of northern Mary
land and Pennsylvania he saw no wheat
looking any better than in Fairfax and LOU
doun counties, and the same as to corn, but
oats and grass were better out there. As
the result of impressions gained by his last
two trips to the west, and especially the
last one-he thought that the Virginia farm.
er might be contented with his location
that if the same industry and economy are
used here that they are obliged to practice
at the west, with the advantage of our good
markets and transportation facilities, then
success would come. He thought when we
got the Mount Vernon Railroad and Mount
Vernon Avenue, We would be as near para.
disc as we could expect to gst-in this iCorld
E. e. Ms son took exceptions at this state.
ment and thought We were pretty badly of
here; that the outlook for the future was
gloomy. Major Hine tried to cheer
him up, and mildly limited that, per-
haps, when the tariff was properly
adjusted all would then be we'll with US.
The Major thought if some people could live
under the shiftless and improvident system,
or want of system, in farming practiced in
some parts of Virginia, then those who used
a reasonable amount of Judgment, foresight,
and kindred qualifications would surely
achieve success.
President Pierson stated that in his trip
to the West a year or so ago, his Impressions
were similar to those expressed by Major
Hine.
At about this stage in the proceedings it
was proposed that Major Hine should be-
come an active member of this club and he
was duly initiated.
E. E. Mason read an article from Farm and
Home by DR.. E. q. Jenkins, of the Connec-
ticut agricultural experiment station, on the
sources of plant food, which, he thought,
farmers would do we'll to study with care.
The next meeting, being the anniversary,
will be held at Woodlawn on the 18th Of Au-
gust-a basket picnic, as usual. All are re.
9uested to be there by one o'clock exer.
cises to begin promptly at two.
e. E. Mason, Walter Walton and o. E.
Hine were appointed to procure able speak
era for the occasion.
W. GILLINGHAM, Sec.