Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-02-03
Farmers Convention.

The twenty first annual convention Of
farmers was held at Sandy Spring on Tues
day last, over two hundred attending, with
B. ID. Palmer president, and II. II. Miller
and j. j. Shoemaker secretaries.
Robert II. Miller read an essay on "Po.
tato Culture" and among other things said
tn ere was indifference in the locality on &C.
count of the uncertain yield, caused by
blight, scab and rot of the potato Bor-
deaux mixture was recommended as best to
use for potato troubles. Experiment sta.
tons report increased yield where IL has
been used. Fungicides are necessary as a
preventive of blight. The cause OF scab
is not understood other than certain condi-
tons of the soil induce its appearance, such
as excess OF barn yard manure and clayey
lands. No specific remedy has yet been
found. Late crops are more affected than
early. Level culture is preferred on light
soils, and ridge on heavy or clay lands. A
preference is given to sod land turned under
in the spring after grass has well started.
Plant four inches deep and in rows two an d
a.half feet apart, so vines will cover the
ground, Leave the land in ridges until
potatoes commence to form then cultivate
to level, which etfectualy kill the weeds.
John Q. Bentley made a report of the
Washington market-house committee, who
had been making endeavors to secure better
market accommodations. The report was
accepted and committee continued another
year.
Reports of farmers clubs for 1892 were
made. The are three of these clubs which
are composed of fifteen members each. The
Farmers Club is the pioneer, and was or.
ganized in l847. Nine members report 5,507
bushels wheat raised on 259 acres, 1889 bar
res of corn raised from 2S8 acres, 1855
bushels of potatoes from 42t acres, 1852 tons
of hay from 343 acres, 1866 cattle, S5 cows;
four members, 1905 pounds Of butter from
20 cows, an average of 1856 pounds per year
for each COW; two members, ,225 gallons
of cream from % cows, l Is gallons per COW /;
one member, $50 dozen eggs, sold Tor $l75,
from 1876 hens; another sold $50 Dozen from
25 hens.
The Montgomery Club organized In 1879.
Thirteen members raised ! i ,5S3 bushels OF
wheat from $40 acres over 90 bush, per acre
1858 barrels of corn from 46l acres. Four
members raised go bushels OF oats from 10
acres; potatoes, 4, l40 bushels from ~ acres
hay, 557 tons from 557 acres. Twelve mem.
bers have 81 horses on their farms. Ten
have 124 mich cows. Two report making
507 pounds of butter and seven members
sold 1895 gallons of cream. Twelve raised
1886 hogs that yielded 1874 pounds OF pork
One tattened steers, first cost $500, sold
for 1857 49, gross profit Sl4S Is, One mem
Der sold 80 cords OF wood.
The Enterprise Club organized in 1865
Ten members report 6,60G bushels OF wheat
from 1853 acres, 301l barrels corn from 1863
acres, 3,442 bushels of potatoes from So
acres, 1884 tons Of hay from 1916 acres, 1877
mich cows and ll8 other cattle. Two re-
port 4 900 pounds of butter, 254 bushels Of
oats from 8 acres. Three report 2,572 gal
Ions OF cream and $50 sheep, yielding 900
pounds of wool. One sold 20 lat cattle.
The past year, owing To protracted drought,
has been the worst year since the cub
has been in existence. Two Of the members
lost their barns by fire,
The question, "What cattle have proved
the most profitable Tor the cream dairy"
was interestingly discussed by the advocates
of different breeds. Statistics of yields Of
Jerseys, Holsteins and other breeds were
read and experiences given with different
breeds 1t was finally voted that Jerseys
pure and jersey grades were best, with the
Holstein ranking rs next.
The question, "By what practical means
can onr county roads be improved and made
thoroughiares more in keeping with the ac
knowledged wants of citizens" was taken
up and discussed.
The report OF the road committee was
read, showing that the total amount levied
for roads in the county in 1891 was $22,-
800 .76. Under a new law it appears only
$5888 12 was available for stone purchas-
ing, which would be about three miles 10 be |
improved each year. Heavy taxed cities
like Baltimore, the report said, could not be |
expected 10 pay higher taxes to assist farm
ing communities TO secure better roads, A |
small State tax plan might be devised, but |
the tendency is toward local assessment
and tax laws employing home expenditure.
A sentiment that national aid should come |
to their rescue was growing. Uncle Sam |
helped to keep the water highways Clear |
for traffic, giving millions, but not cent |
for public roads The agricultural commu-
nifty are already taxed all they can stand.
The law is too slow for present needs and |
leaves but one thing to be tred-bOndlng |
the county and State, as the best roads have |
thus been made. Taxpaying farmers hest
tate, however, over this plan. general
discussion followed the reading Of the paper |
Philip r. Stabler called attention to |
piece of road near by that was made by |
farmers as an example Of what might be |
done.
Arthur Stabler said that success depended |
on unity of action. The road just referred |
to was at one time impossible but all turned |
out, and, with concert of action, built 81 |
miles of road at q cost of about 5000 per |
mile, which enabled them to reach the Union |
turnpike, which leads to Washington.
The bonded idea was advocated by sew
eral members. II was finally decided TO
adopt the plan ~ allow each district 10 make |
its own laws, and 10 have an additional tax
of 10 cents on the 800 levied, to be paid by
hauling stone at specified prices per perch
for use ON roads
II was decided that a committee III three
be appointed to serve as road commissioners
without gay