The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1894-08-24
ExrRAYAGANCE IN FARMING.
Discussion by the Deer Creek Farmers
Club

Discussion by the Deer Creek Farmers'
Club.
Reported for The Egis.
The Deer Creek Farmers Club met on Satur-
day, August 10, at the residence of Mr.. William
Webster, near Churchville, where they were
entertained by Mr.. John S. Webster.
Active members present, beside the host,
Messrs. John Moores, President; James +. Ken
ly, E. T. Swartz, Thomas Lochary, Robert F.
Hanna, John b. Wysong, D. C. Wharton
Smith, S. A. Williams and X. Harris Archer.
visitors.-Rev. C. D. Wilson, Judge Henry d.
Harlan, Rev. S. C. WATSON, Messrs. II. p
Strasbaugh, George r. Carnes, William Web
ster, II. Harry Webster, Willard G. Rouse, S.
M. Lee, William FL. Harlan and J. Thomas
Webster.
The committee on farm inspection reported
everything in good condition; field crops, Or
chard, garden and stock looking thrifty, and all
showing the marks of careful attention.
The subject for discussion, "Extravagance in
Farming" was opened by the host. Mr.. Web
don't know it. For instance, they have too
many horses. They should have more mules
and oxen. They pay too much out for labor
and often neglect to do things in time. They
Inv too much Fertilizer when they should
make their own. He had made his own for his
his ten acres of corn, and it cost him only SIS
Mr.. Swartz thought much of our extrava-
gance is brought on by careleSsness. We neg
lect to repair things in time. We lose often
by inferior labor. 1t is better to pay good men
good wages: He agreed with Mr.. Webster
about fertilizers but thinks the day for oxen
has passed Most of us have too many horses.
Mr.. Harlan was well pleased with Mr.. Web
sters remarks about horses and oxen. Horses
are always going down from the day you buy
them and oxen go up. 1t costs from $50 to
$40 to feed a horse year. He thought farm
ers, as rule, are careless about their machin-
ua 1nd hx nd -isi furr 10
buy less fertilizers. keep fewer horses and more
oxen, and to take good care of farm machin-
cry.
Mr.. Kenly agreed with what had been said
about horses. Most farmers don't know what
it costs to keep horse He was doubtful,
however, aboutit being more economical to do
without fertilizers. We should keep our lands
up to the mark and be ready to take advantage
of the times when crops will pay better prices.
AS to using fewer horses and more oxen, it is
of doubtful ACCESSIBILITY. He did not think q
farmer could well be extravaganza.
Judge Harlan was struck with the remark of
Mr.. Kenly about extravaganza. The term is
not generally applied to farmers. WaStefuI-
ness is, generally, in Il small way. The life Of
d farmer should not be all work. He should
have some leisure hours. and a horse or two
to take himself and family around to see the
neighbors, etc. No doubt 1t is economical to
use oxen.
Rev Mr. WATSON didn't believe farmers are
extrayagant, and couldn't see how they could
economic more than they do.
Mr.. Hanna said he supposed we were all a
little extravaganza in some ways. What some
Every farmer should have an extra horse to
take his family around with.
Mr.. s. NJ. Lee said extravaganza turns on a
very small point Ordinary farmers do not
want oxen. Farmers are losing great deal of
money by the wear and tear of horses, wagons
and machinery in general. A horse deterior-
ateS ten per cent. Il year. 1t costs $40 TO shoe
a horse year and $50 to keep him. Our gre At
est extravaganza is in raising too much grain
not too much per acre, but too many acres.
aial rNlx~
too much ground and employ too much ineffi-
Gent labor. We should never follow wheat
with wheat.
Mr.. Williams was struck with the remark of
Mr.. SwartZ, and thought there was much truth
in it. The farmers loss is from neglect. He
also said every farmer should study out his
particular line of action; study his surround
ings, location, etc., and see what is best for
him to raise. Some farms are, no doubt, well
adapted to one thing and some to another.
We should study the character of our soil to
see what fertilizers do the best. He thinks
horses for the use of the family absolutely
necessary and in no sense an extravaganza
Mr. William Webster thought farmers, as a
rule, less extravagant than other people.
Farmers should stir around early in the morn
ing while it is cool: and Lay lay by at noon Most
the same fertilizer on half the land.
Mr.. Cairnes said farmers, as rule, do not
take sufficient care of their machinery. Over
growth of horse flesh is a waste, for time at
least, but may pay afterwards.
Mr.. Wysong said it never occurred to him
that FARMERS were eKCFdFdGdnI. IL lack OF at
tention to business is extravaganza, some are.
If | were asked one thing in which they are eX-
travagant | would answer, Carriages and
horses" He did not consider the iudicious use
of fertilizers extravaganza,
Mr.. Strasbaugh said don't know if our low
er end farmers can tell you upper Hartford men
anything. He thinks there is u big leak in not
buying good fertilizer.
Mr.. Lochary believed a good deal in what
had been said. He believes in feeding stock in
winter Most farmers dread the cost, but he
thinks you can fatten a steer cheaper in winter
than in summer, or in the stall rather than the
field. Less than an acre will fatten him in the
stall and it will take from two to three acres to
do it in the field. No doubt there are too many
horses kept. The surplus in the county would
reach 1000 head. At $50 u head they would
amount to a heap of money.
Rev. c. ID. Wilson said it seemed to him that
extravaganza wasa relative matter. No doubt
there were number of things that went to
waste on a farm-fruit, vegetables, wood,
timber etc. There is really no department in
which some waste does not exist. Most farm
ers have more land than yields or pays. 1t is
not operated on a sufficiently close scale.
Mr.. j. Thomas Webster agreed with most of
them in thinking farmers keep too much horse
flesh, and thought we should make our own
fertilizers.
Mr.. Moores said if there is any extravaganza
it is waste of time and want of attention. Farm
ers don't stick to their business like merchants
and other business men. Very few farmers
have too many horses. Every farmer should
have horse or two at rest. Have him ready
when needed. 1t is a sin and shame to over
work horse.
Mr.. Archer thought most farmers wasteful in
feeding hay, especially to horses. Horses need
but little hay. Farmers should save their hay
and make it one of their money crops
The club adjourned to meet at MIR. w. Beatty
Harlan's, on Saturday, September 10.