The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1889-04-26
The Egis & Intelligencer
Bel Air, Md, April go, 1889.
WILMA FARMERS' CLUB.
A visit From President AIyOrd, OfMRrY-
Hand Agricultural College.

on Aprfl Ilth the Club was entertained at the
home OF the President Mr.. Robert 7. BOVINE.
ON the occasion of the Farmers Convention ut
Rel Air Major AvOrd, the President of the Mary
land Agricultural College, expressed willing
ness to meet with the club, II opportunity should
offer, and at Mr.. Bowne's request he favored us
with his presence on this occasion.
In some Introductory remarks, Major AiVord
SAID that 1t was their prime object 70 establish
cordial relations with the farmers OF the State
That they were expanding pubic money at the
College and Experiment station, STATE ana
National funds, and that no class OF property
was more certainly and severely taxed than the
property of the farmers that these researches
and experiments were being made for their bene.
fit. He would be glad II the various farmers
clubs of the State would send committees 10
visit the station, and see how the money was
being expended. That he would cordially well
come the clubs or their committees.
statistical results OF the experiments were
published and distributed. and could always he
mad on application, and object lessons were eX-
hihited at the county fairs showing results oD-
tanned under stated conditions.
Time is required in experiments oil TINS nature,
which year by year will make more full and val
uahle In their results.
What has been said thus far relates more par
ticularly to the Experiment Stati9ns.a distinct
department OF the college. The college proper 10
for the education of young men. The euort 10
10 make every hour Of their time profitable. We
do not want any triflers there, we want young
men who Will feel the necessity OF using every
moment of their time to the best advantage. we
Tan do more with thirty Industrious studious
pupils than with hundred triiiers. The lnsti-
tuition is by nolGeans reform school.
Our object is to teach the sciences most closely
allied TO aRriCulture-the natural sciences, and
10 round up such an education, as makes aud
best b, fits a well informed man.
After these Introductory remarks some cues
tons were answered regarding the best methods
Of applying fertilizers.
He would not apply large quantities OF fertiIi-
zers rich in nitrogen, Is for instance dried blood,
all at one time, lest great part OF IT be wasted
To crop of tomatoes, he would make ABOUT
three SppeaSns the last perhaps ana As ,b se
working II in about the roots. If all is applied
at once, perhaps heaped IN the hill, much OF
1t wastes before the plant can assimliate II:
There lsalsD great waste in leaving the surface
bare through the winter. After the tomatoes
are gathered SOW the fields in rye, and the nutri-
tiOus substances in the soil will be saved in
luxurious growth, which can be plowed back
into the ground the next spring.
Some discussion WAS now mad as TO the erect
1t was stated that there was a great difference
of effect in lime from different localities. lie
thought this might possibly result from differing
proportions of maEncsia, soda, iron aud other
elements in the lime of different quarries.
The effects OF plaster on some soil is very bene-
ncial, but its action is not well understood.-
Most suppose its virtues lie in its absorption OF
moisture and the cases. subsequently supply ing
He would apply ashes to grass as top dress
ing. A ton of unlcached ashes contains about
80 lbs. Of potash.
some members of the club had used ashes with
out apparent effect, or il anything their use had
been Injurious, while they had noticed that
where a brush heap had been burned the grass
grain always sprang up luxuriantly. lie
thought the effect in the last case might be part
ly attributed TO the charcoal which Is great
absorbent of all gases and might in this way iced
the plant.
After dinner the silo question came up. Presi
dent Alvord said A sllo may be built OF any
material above ground or under ground. and at
Il cost of from rs cents to 81 per ton capacity
Several small ones are better than one large one
rs they can be fed out in successOn and 80 avoid
the deterioration, which results when large areas
are uncovered. slo may be weighted or not
when not weighted a few inches Will spoil on the
latRfa Rlu alFnH in nod tlgh
like well canned fruit, the ensilaRe will remain
good for years. He stated that New Jersey
farmer having put up large quantity OF ensilage
did not secure the stock TO eat it, and that 1t was
found in good condition after several years
wood lining Is to be preferred to masonry, as
the cnsIaGc is better preserved In contact with
wood.
All herbiverous animals are fond of ensilage.
Coarse weeds and unpalatahle vegetables are
made palatable by passing through the sllo.-
President Alvord said that any green crop on the
farm may be saved in this way. silO may be
owing to excessive wet cannot be cured, may be
put into the silo. An oat crop that has not been
filled. wheat crop wet and growing after reap
ing, from constant RAIN may he so saved for ensi-
age. Also meadow product too weedy to make
marketable hay, but Of all crops probably the
best Tor ensiaga is Indian corn or 1t be not sor-
Rhum) See college report. a fair crop is - TO p
tons to the acre. Ii can be cut, hauled from the
fald and put In the silD ut an expense of 81 per
ton. II will weigh four times more than the
same dry, and occupy ten times less space as en-
silape. Three tons OF corn cnsilage are worth
one ton OF good hay. II ia an excellent subst-
tute for roots, but should not be fed exclusively;
give an &C casona feed of hay. 1t is not SO well
adapted to horses as to cattle. Horses eat II free
~, and If allowed, eat too much fatal results
have followed. II Is too bulky for driving horses.
Mules do better on IT..
II lisa well established fact that more than
double the number OF cows can be fed on q gwen
number OF acres, from the silU.
The silo Is best adapted to farms of high fGTti-
lily and cultivation.
When requested to enlarge on this point, Presl
Cent AlvOr1 stated, that to grow large crops of
corn. high fertility is required, but the sii0 vii
greatly aid in maintaining and increasing this
fertility.
Two heifers weighing about 600 lbs. each were
fod at The farm through tho past winter wholly
on ensage, and their condition fully maintain
cd, at an expense of fonr cents each per day, and
three sheep ut an expense of one and one fourth
G ats each per day. No food but ensilage in
these cases was supplied.
Note.-What struck the writer as the more
important statements, are here reported. but
much which Major Alvord said, and which CON
tributed to make the last meeting very in ter
ing one, tor want OF time and space has been
omitted.
There were present besides our own members
Mr.. WIN. Watson and MIR. VIM. Amos, OF the
Falston Farmers Club, also Mr. Jesse Hoskins
OF wilma. CORRESPONDING SECRETARY c.