Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-10-10
r.rmsrs, Ipstitute at wellsburg.

WELLsBURG, w. VA, October s.
The farmers of Brooke county assem-
bled at the Court House at 1870 p. m.
for the purpose OF holding a Farmers
Institute. DR.. John A. Myers and Col.
d. d. johnson, of the West Virginia
Agricultural Experiment Station were
present to deliver lectures. DR.. Myers
was first introduced, and began very
interesting lecture by saying that 1t
was everywhere conceded that the use
of Commercial furtilizers when properly
applied, produced very decided effect
upon the growth OF plants. The vital
fact for the farmer to understand was,
What kind Of fertilizers shall be used,
and when shall they be applied?' The
Doctor exhibited quite number OF Ger
man charts showing the effects OF the
application Of nitrogen upon the growth
Of wheat, oats, rye, barley, peas and
lupines. The clouts showed q very de-
cided effect upon the growth Of wheat,
oats, barley AMI rye, while they showed
very little or no effect upon the growth
of peas and lupines. Dr.. Myers painted
out in a very lucid manner the effects
plants, and from the facts shown by
the charts he drew the conclusions that
the careless or ignorant use OF COM
mercial fertilizers would cost the farm
ers many thousands Of dollars without
any applicable benefits whatever; that
while heterogeneous fertilizers con-
tributed very largely to the growth OF
wheat, oats, rye and barley, it pro-
duces no material increase in the pro-
duction Of corn, potatoes, peas and
clover, and that the use of nitrogen as
q fertilizer in these last named plants,
was more than useless, as it entailed
upon the farmer the absolute loss OF
money paid for the fertilizer and the
time employed ia applying it to the
soil.
Col. Johnson began his address by al
luding to the fact that agricultural sell
ence was yet in its infancy; that q great
amount of work had been done in the
last quarter OF a century in formulating
the principles which govern scientific
agriculture, but there yet remains a
great deal more to be done. The man
who declares that he knows all about
farming only displays his profound ig-
nOrance Of the subject, and is an object
OF commisseration to the progressive
farmer, who is seeking light and is de-
termined TO improve mis- condition. In
regard to the effects Of fertilization,
Col. Johnson said that it is a well
established fact that where the
chemical and physical conditions OF the
soil are the same, the same fertilizers
will produce the same effects, but when
this uniformity of the natural coldi-
tions of the soil is abSeEj the effects OF
the same fertilizer will be as varied as
the conditions are. This position was
fully substantiated by citations from
the table ia bulletin No. 25 Of the West
Virginia Agricultural Experiment Sta
ton. The bulletins OF the several agri-
cultural experiment stations in the
United States show that the application
OF commercial fertilizers to some soils
has very decided advantageous effect,
while no appreciate benefit is derived
from their application to other soils. or
course many general principles have
been established by the numerous tests
which have been made. For example, It
has been determined that potash is an
excellent fertilizer for clover, potatoes
and nearly all luguminous plants. but
the serious fact which so frequently
confronts the farmer is the abnormal
condition of his soil, which prevents the
action Of the fertilizers. We have not
yet discovered any sure method Of de-
etermining this condition, except by
actual experimet with commercial fer
tilizers on that particular soil. There
can be no doubt that the farmer would
be vary materially aided in the solution
OF this and all other agricultural prob
lens by carefully studying the Agricul-
tural Experiment Station Bulletins and
attending all Farmers Institutes, hear
ing the discussions and asking and an
swering questions.
Col. johnson continued the discus
sion of the subject at length, and many
questions were propounded to both he
and DR.. Myers, which were answered In
very satisfactory manner, and the
farmers seemed highly pleased with the
entertainment given them.
A County Institute was then organ
lied with the following officers: Presi-
dent, S. G.. Glst, Wellsbur2; Vice Pres
ident, Thomas Hartley. West Liberty,
Ohio county; Secretary. John D. San
ders. WelIsbnrg; Treasurer, NJ. c.
Hunter. Fowler's.
The farmers of Brooke county may
expect some good work from this Soci-
egy.