Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-07-31
Meeting of Farmers.

The farmers living in the northwestern
portion OF Montgomery county have for
some time agitated the question of holding
public meeting for the discussion of agri-
cultural topics, something after the order of
the Farmers Institute" The idea orIgi-
mated among members of the Damascus
Grange, which has its headquarters at
Browningsvlle, and it was finally carried
into execution on Tuesday, the 21st inst,
through the enterprise of O. +. Purdum and
his neighbors. The meeting took the form
OF an day pic mic in Purdums grove, a
mile south of Damascus. Farmers began
to assemble early with their wives and chill
dren, and before the hour for the speaking
the gathering numbered several hundred
and included representative men, not only
from Montgomery, but also from the neigh.
boring portions of Frederick, Carroll and
Howard. The four counties "corner" but
few miles from the place of meeting, on
the direct road from Purdum postofice to
Mt. Airy. Among the prominent farmers
present were: A. l.. and Nathan j. Burdett,
James E., James w. and Rufus K Day,
Rufus F. King, Alex. H. Lewis John j.
Mullins, Darius F. and Noah III. Watkins
and Jos. F. Williams. The region is quite
noted for its native musical taste and talent.
Bands, clubs and choruses abound At this
meeting the Kings Valley Cornet Band at
tended, and, under the leadership of Alfred
G. Piquette, contributed much to the pleas
ure OF the occasion.
The day was almost perfect for an out. Of
door meeting, and the forenoon was given
up TO friendly greeting and social intercourse
as horsemen and vehicles arrived in con-
tinuous column. Parties of practical farm
ers Waited the experimental acre of tobacco
which is being grown within few rods OF
the grove by the Maryland Agricultural
Experiment Station under the care of Mr.
Purdum. An acre of land is carefully laid
out in ten equal plots, which are treated
alike in all respects except in the matter of
fertilizers, the object being to ascertain what
elements OF plant food and what forms there
of have the best effect upon the tobacco
peculiar to this section of the State. Each
Of the ten plots has an application differing
from the rest. The boundaries OF the plots
are clearly marked by painted stakes, and
at one end of each is land notice showing
what is applied to that particular plot-No.
| /, muriate of potash; No. Q, sulphate OF
potash, (free from chlorine,) &c. In order
that the effect of the fertilizers might be
more marked piece of well-worn land was
chosen for this experiment. Hence this acre
of tobacco, as q whole, is at prese Mt inferior
to much in the neighborhood which has
been more literally treated. The differ
ences in the plots is already discernable,
however, and will certainly become more
marked as the season advances.
The meeting was called to order soon after
the midday meal, which was eaten in groups.
pic. mic fashion. Mr.. j. M. Burdett, presided
Major Henry Z. Alvord, President of the
State Agricultural College, was first intro
duced and talked for about an hour upon
dairying, but more especially the principles
of economic feeding, applicable not only to
dairy cattle, but to all farm animals. He
was followed by Prof Patterson, chemist oil
the Agricultural Experiment Station. who
discussed the subject of soil fertility and
commercial fertilizers. Various questions
| were asked of and answered by the speakers
which gave wider range TO the subjects
considered. ffs45H
| After the regular meeting an informal
conference o4 the farmers present was held
and reports made on the condition OF the
crops in the four counties represented. Al
though but little threshing has yet beer
done wheat has thus far turned out from