The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-01-18


cieties do a valuable work. In the
North and West the system of farmers
institutes has spread over that region.
Some of these are held at so many
points that every farmer who chooses
can hear and take part in the discussion
of the most important. political ques-
tious that concern his work. The
most valuable example of such meet
ings in our state is the Sandy Spring
Farmers Association. They can only
be rendered general and effective by
state direction and control. The meet
ings Of our own state association have
been useful They have brought
together representative farmers from all
parts Of the state, and they have afford
ed opportunities for the discussion of
important matters of common interest.
But what has been done is little COM
pared to what may be accomplished, if
this association should bring about the
establishment of wise and permanent
state organization, to take in charge the
vital matters connected with the devel-
opment and improvement of our agri-
culture, which, without state super
vision, are either half done or neglected
altogether
At the conclusion of Col. A liens re-
marks committee on credentials was
appointed.
Hon. John E. Russell Of Massaehu-
sets delivered an address ON horse
breeding, in which he strongly urged
farmers to breed fine high spirited
horses and train them to be docile by
farm work when they would sell for
high prices and be safe to drive.
FERTILIZERS
Major Henry E. Alvord, director OF
the Maryland Agricultural Experiment
Station, followed Mr.. Russell in an
elaborate address on Commercial Fer.
tilizers-Their Purchase and Use."
He said: "No state in the Union is so
deeply concerned in the subject Of com.
mercial fertilizers as Maryland, unless
conditions have greatly changed in the
last ten years. At that time the farm
ers Of Maryland were paying out the
enormous sum of SO, ,838,465 annually
for artificial manures. Only two states
exceeded this-Pennsylvania with 2O0,.
900 farms, and Georgia with 100000
farms, while Maryland had only 49,.
006! Maryland spent in 1879 over
SO that year for commercial fertilizers
for every farm within her borders. No
other state averaged $50 per farm, and
but one even half as much as Maryland
BETTER LAWS NEEDED.
II believe the farming of Maryland
needs and is entitled to better laws. In
other states the farmer is as sure OF
getting what is represented on the out
side of the sack when be buys his fer
tilizer as when he buys his groceries
and his clothing. just such provisions
can be otained here. All that is
necessary is for this body and the
grangers and various local associations,
acting fraternally and unitedly to make
their wants known. They hold the
balance of power, and can make and
unmake legislatures and Legislators. 1t
is only necessary to make known their
reasonable wants anj have the neces-
sary backbone. In time there will be
established at different places In the
state such experiment stations to ascer.
tain local needs, and act in concert with
the central station"
A committee. of FIVE was appointed
by the chair to carry out the sugges.
tions Of Major Alvord's address.
On the opening of the second days
meeting of the association the commit
tee appointed to draft resolutions on the
death of Governor Hambleton, report
ed by its chairman, Hon. Edward Stake
of Washington county, who delivered
eulogy on the life of the deceased.
On motion of DR.. R. G. Mackall the
resolutions prepared by the committee
were adopted by rising vote.
STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
The committee appointed on
Wednesday to confer as to the best
method of securing some permanent
state agricultural organization report.