The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-06-02

lected during the recess. speaking eAteln
pore, but inteiigsntly. directly and to
the point, he SAID that farmers deal with
the facts of life as an instrumentality,
and that there was wonderful similarity
between animal and vegetable life. even
the terms used being correlative. One
of his troubles was the parasitic form of
life, such as insects and fungus growths.
With the knowledge of insecticide
and fungicide, the iutelligertly practical
farmer could protect his interests from
all insects. Taking in his hand straw
berry leaf he pointed to the invasion of
it by one of the forms of fungus growth.
He said the Bordeaux mixture, the iDgre
dents of which are sulphate of copper,
lime and water, would prevent it, if APP
piled in time, the use Of it, being based
upon the sensible theory that prevention
is better than IA cure. An elm twig CUT
from Mr.. Gillespie's yard riddled by the
elm beetle, and which insect, if not pre-
vented would defoliate the elm, could
have been successfully combatted by US
ing arsenical spray. Holding up young
apple badly stung by the Goblin moth, he
said if sprayed arsenieally it could have
| been prevented, and crop of perfect
instead of imperfect apples would have
| been the result. That these sprays were
inexpensive: that at about a cost of 80
cents, an acre of grapevines had on Tues
| day been sprayed at the college by three
men in less than an hour. 50 IN nearly
every instance these parasitic forms
of vegetable life could be successfully
| treated, in illustration of which he
namsd the smut on corp, the rust on the
wheat and tie scab on the potato. He
then explained at some length the psti
ate and the stamiuate character of straw
berries, and holding in his hand an
impertectly developed strawb berry. he
feet polarization by a selection of
proper staminate varieties, and sugges
ted to Mr.. Sutton to send him some
plants that would improve both the
quality and quantity of his fruit. He
further illustrated Natures process of
polarization in the case of two parallel
| rows of corn: one the soft yellow gourd
variety, the other the white hard flint;
that if the tassel of the yellow be broken
off before the pollen is ripe, then the
impression on the yellow variety would
alter both it's character aud color.
ABOUT FERTILIZERS.
Prof. Robinson then spoke of the impor
lance and practical value to the farmer of
commercial fertilizers, that he regarded
them as necessity, but Was convinced
that many thousands of dollars had been
uselessly spent from their misapplication
The cardinal idea in their successful and
economic use, was the knowledge of the
farmer b. actual experiment and not by
mere analysis the lacking ingredients
of his soil. Due regard to the physical
character of the soil was an essential
factor III the profitable use of CONNER.
cial fertilizers. Ia illustrating his esti-
acre field that had been prepared for COW
peas to be turned under as preparation
for wheat. OF this field thirty acres
were sown with COW peas in May, ten
acres being left fallow, the whole field
was sown in wheat in the fall of 1892.
When harvested the portion sown with
peas averaged % bushels per acre, the
| balance of the field averaged only II
| bushels. The benefits of lime he said
were chemical and mechanical it making
| inert plant food available and altering
the physical character of the soil.
Professor Robinson closed two hour
talk conducted in familiar and COLO
quail manner, not speaking from notes,
ana constantly asking to be interrupted
by questions, his familiarity with the
| subjects discussed. his readiness and
clearness of reply, and his proyerbial
amiability rendering him an unusually
agreeable, interesting and profitable
talker on agricultural, horticultural and
kindred subjects. Tnis was his first
appearance before the club, and the best
evidence of the impression he made Was
the cordial invitation given him TO come
again.
At the conclusion of Prof. Robinson 5
remarks, upon motion of Mr.. Henry
S. Coudon, unanimous vote of thanks
of the club was rendered him for his
useful and instructive address.
At this point, Mr.. Coudon asked the
Professor whether in his opinion a
trucker or owner of truck farm could
succeed by the use only of artificial
manures?
Prof. Robinson replied that he could,
by availing himself of his forage crops,
along with the use OF artificial manures.
After pleasant and profitable meet,
ing the club adjourned at 4 As p. M, the
next meeting being fixed for June 18th
at "Elersle" Mr.. Coudon's residence
near Perryville.