The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1894-07-27

RULES AND ECONOMY TO BE OBSERV
ED TO SECURE SUCCESS IN
FARMING.
Discussion in the Deer Creek Farmers
Club.

Discussion in the Deer Creek Farmers
Club.
Reported for The Kgis.
The Deer Creek Farmers Club met at the
residence of Mr.. d. c. Wharton Smith last Sat
urday afternoon. The active members present
were John Moores, Il. Harris Archer, Thomas
Lochary, Robert F. Hanna, T. Edward Swartz,
james f. Kenly, w. Beatty Harlan and John
Webster. The visitors were B. Gilpn Smith,
DR.. John Sappington, Judge Henry ID. Harlan,
Rev. John Sadler and S. NJ. Lee.
The subject selected for discussion was
"Rules and Economy to be Observed to Secure
Success in Farming"
Mr. d. c. W. Smith, the host, said that there
was one fundamental rule 10 be observed i'll
everything and that was whatever is worth
doing at all, is worth doing we'll" The sins of
omission of the farmer are greater than almost
any other class of business men. l know it is
the case with myself. Too many things are
neglected. Fences which often need Il little re-
pair, farm roads little mendiug washes i'll
fields which should be filled up. Very often IL
stitch in time saves nine. All of us, who do not
possess equal intellects should borrow our
neighbOrs brains and that is abouta all we ought
to borrow. Observe one who is successful and
follow i'll his footsteps Another thing; use
good farming tools and do not neglect them by
leaving them out in the weather after use.
Farmers should be cooperative, and, from the
present high prices of commercial fertilizer,
this would be an excellent thing to start on.
This club could send IL committee to inspect
the different manufacturers, determine on the
best brand and then buy i'll large quantities and
for cash, even if the money has to be borrowed.
The difference in price between fertilizer
bought for cash and on time is much greater
than the discount on four months note.
Mr.. X. Harris Archer differed with Mr.. Smith
about borrowing the money to pay for fertiliz-
ers He believed Il man with good credit could
buy as cheaply on time as for cash. On aericul-
tuIul implements, however, there is IL big dis
count for cash. Itwould be much better idea
tn
us butchers and store keepers. A person is not
apt to buy as much if he pays the cash each time
as if he goes on credit. Another thing; it is easier
to pay Il bill Il dollar or two at time than i'll a
large lump. The way times are now farmers
are buying too much fertilizer. 1t would be
better to hold up until times improve.
Mr.. w. ID. Harlan favorS cooperation among
farmers. Take for instance complex machin-
cry. The best binder should be adopted, and
all the farmers in one neighborhood buy il on
condition that the dealer will keep the repairs
constantly on hand. Very often II crop of
wheat is ruined on account of the time lost in
seuding away for repairs. Every club should
name committee to suggest new machinery.
Too many experiments are tried with unfami-
lar implements. great many leaks occur
when we employ many laborerS. An hour S
rain may upset Il days plan. Then indoor work
should be planned. Farmers should use their
own credit, spot cash means more than 6 per
cent.
DIR. John Sappington said that true economy
is making the greatest interest out of the money
invested. Use the mower, follow with the ted
der, then the hay loader. The more fertilizer
used the greater the economy. Another thing
which the farmer has neglected is irrigation.
A windmill and tank could be erected and the
water conveyed about the place with hose and
in ~ hours 10 acres of land could be success
fully irrigated. Hardly Il season passes that
there is not some failure of crops on account
of drought, yet for an investment of $500 this
could be averted. (N1r. 5. NJ. Lee wanted to
know where the farmer could be found who
had S200D Continuing DIR. Sappington cited
statistics showing the large number of farmers
who had abandoned their lands on account of
droughts.
Judge Harlan had not had much practical
experience in farming for the past fourteen
years until two years ago, when he sold his
wheat and with the money realized from 1t at
tempted to purchase farm wagon to haul it
out and buy his fertilizer for the next crop. 1t
took all the proceeds and there was still def
cheney to be met From this experience there
must be something wrong i'll the price of ferti-
lzer. The price of bone and grain should be
regulated by the same standard. In farming,
as in everything else it is the little things that
count. Take for instance the street car compa-
MES. Only nickel iscollected from each person,
yet see what vast sum it aggregates. Not
only is the interest paid on the immense capital,
but handsome dividends to the stockholders.
So the farmer must look after the products of
his COWS, poultry, fruit and garden.
Mr.. w. +. Kenly thought as rule farmers
neglected the little more than the larger mat
tiers. a man at this time must practice every
consistent economy, but he did not deem it
wise to stop the use of commercial fertilizer.
While the price of fertilizer and grain are great
ly out of proportion, we cannot afford to stop u.s.
hight Use good implements and keep them in
order. If tools or harness need repairs, have it
done at once so they will be ready for use
when needed. It would pay to pillow fewer
acres of ground and make ten produce what
fifteen now do. 1t can be done with fertiiZ-
ers and the best attention. Many of us own
more land than we can properly attend to and
may be said to be land poor.
MIR. Is. G. Smith agreed with Mr.. kenly about
farmers cultivating too much land. A better
rule would be to put in less acreage and til! it
more. At present we don't get rs much us We
ought. An excellent example of this Is the
case of the farmers of Lancaster county, Pa.
They all have small farms but are well to do
and this is the secret of their success. Strict
was well illustrated by Judge Harlan in
speaking of the street car companies. (Mr
Moores suggested that the nickel paid for Il
glass of beer was another good example as all
brewers are rich.)
Mr.. John Webster thought most farmers at
tempt to do more than they can properly at
teams and labor. Keep the ground in sod and
raise cattle as they pay better than anything
else. We all use too much fertilizer, especially
phosphate.
Mr.. S. NJ. Lee only desired to add word or
two to what Mr.. Webster had said. Farmers
are using too much promise to pay and blowing
too much land for the number of acres they
have, compelling them to buy more fertilizer
and employ more labor and teams. Weare ex-
pending twice AS much as is necessary in ferti-
liZer, on account of cultiVating too much land.
Another mistake is the improper application
of fertilizer. When the land is poor in one in
gredient, let us supply that alone. Ammonia,
which comes at high price, can be gotten by
sowing little plaster on grass and blowing it
in.
Mr. r. Edward Swartz said that the time has
come when farmers must economze. We
must adopt good rules and an excellent time to
put them in force is i'll winter, when we are
reaping the benefit of our crop, using Judgment
in feeding. We should use fertilizer the same
as heretofore, but pillow fewer acres. When
we stint the land we make ourselves poorer.
IIn lafn t.l
fertilizer along side of some of his own manu-
facture. one costing 500 per ton and the other
So, and could see no difference i'll the crop (po-
tatoes) at this time. The homemade fertilizer
consisted of barrel of chemicals bought from
W. S. Powell & Co., Baltimore, II bushels of
wood ashes and sufficient short manure to make
a ton of compost.
fewer acres and making them produce double
crops. AS wheat does not pay, we should stop
raising it and try corn and tomatoes, both of
of which pay well.
Mr.. Thomas Lochary said that to farm econ
nOmically we must give the farm close personal
attention and make every little thing count.
Mr.. John MOores said that Judging from the
discussion farmers must be getting poorer and
poorer, but in his Judgment such was not the
prices of corn, oats, hay and potatoes are good
and money can be made raising tomatoes The
farmer is ahead if he attends to his business
and watches the little things. No doubt we are
paying too much for fertilizers and we must
pay less even if we have to go into u combina-
ton.
The next meeting of the club will be held at
the residence of Mr. John Webster.