Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-12-25
ueeting of the Farmers club.

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! FIsHERsvILLE. Va. Dec. 21str 1889.
the farmers club was called to order. tn
President in the Chair. Upon the roll bein
called. the following members were found pres
ent: G. B. Coiner, ". A. Freed, ]. A. Gilkeson
P. T. Burkholder. A. ], Burkholder. A. Koiner
F. "A. Gilkeson. Robert Goodwin, NJ. F. Gilke
son, ]. L. Wallace, j. r. Kemper. II A. s
Hamilton, DIR. D. w. Hanger, A. A. Jones
Edwin Barnsberger, F. NJ. Bell and J. W
Churchmau.
Minutes of last meeting were read and adopt
ed MIR. Burkholder, from stock law commit
tee, reported as to a stock.lsw now In exis.
tence, which he thought would answer the
purpose and meet with theapproval of the peo-
pie. Major KolEer and Mr.. Wallace favored
active steps being taken toprocIre some reme-
dy against stock running on the commons.
MIR. Burkholder suggested that all interested in
this matter meet the Committee at Dec Court
and aid in securing a favorable conclusion OF
this matter. After the reading of sections
No. 2Ol2 and No. 2O48 Code of Va, 1887, DR..
Hanser pronounced 1t no law at all, and that
1t was not what we need or desire. MIR. Burk
holder thought the law sufficient, and ought to
be enforced in our dis riot. Mr.. Wallace
thought the law referred to sufficient, but was
fearful of objection on the part of our super
visors. and thought the Legislature should en-
act law that would be effective in every de-
tail. Mr.. Churchman thought it eminently
Important that active steps be taken to pro
cure the now existing law. or press some meas
ure throus n the Legislature. Upon request OF
Mr.. Churchman, Mr. j. l.. Wallace was added
TO this Committee. ]. r. Kemper, from the
Railroad Committee, stated they had forward
ed lengthy petition with certificates of deal
ers attached, in regard to the necessity for h
hay shed here, but had heard nothing from
the company up to this Time and thought the
committee should be instructed to write again
and report at next meeting of the club. DIR.
Hanger thought that we should lay the matter
before the Legislature, If the company do not
answer in a reasonable time.
Mr.. Burkholder moved the matter be left in
the hands of the committee Council. Mr..
Churchman thought that ifa law could be pass
ed re luiring railroad companies to provide
necessary shelter for all products shipped over
their lines. 1t would be better and more salts
factory than any other plan. DR.. Hanger of
fered question for discussion: "Whether we can
afford to raise clover-hay." MIR. Burkholder
thought no good farmer could dispense with
raising clover. Major Koiner thought 1t
question of great Importance, but wanted to
hear the other side before he could undertake
to discuss such question. DR.. Hanger said
the latest analysis showed no fertilizing pro
perties in clover. but aside from the value of
clover as an fmprover of the soil, can we afford
to use 1t as fertilizer; Ia not the cost greater
than prepared fertilizer, and that as we could
realize nothing from the sale of the hay had
not we better use stimulants that would cost
less7 Major Koiner thought that by discard
Ing the use Of clover we would kill the goose
that laid the golden egg."-that while we were
not selling quite as much off our lands, we
were improving the fertility of our soils. DIR
Hanger thought we could supply by chemical
all the properties necessary for the
growth of our crops much cheaper and quicker
than with clover. Major Koiner thought wed
should use everp opportunity to improve our
soils without an outlay of made money. parti-
cularly while prices are unremunerative. The
farmers land is his bank account. and he
should not be constantly drawing from that
bank. without returning something to the soil.