Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-10-03
WooDLAWN FARMERS CLUB.

WOoDLAWN FARMERS CLUB
The Woodlawn Farmer Club met at
the residence of A. W. Harrison on
September 2Sth, President Harrison in
the chair. The minutes of the last
meeting were read and approved.
The proposition laid over from last
meeting in reference to holding farm
ers' convention in Alexandria county
came up and Major Hine thought
that arrangements could be made for
having another farmers institute at
Alexandria, SO after some discussion on
the matter the following committee was
appointed to confer with President Cor.
bin, of the State board, and make ali
necessary arrangements for the same,
fit could be brought about: o. e.
Hine, G. Lukens, J. W. Roberts, A. W.
Harrison and W. Gillingham.
The allusion to criticisms on the re-
marks of some speakers at the Manas-
sas institute led to some particulars be-
ing asked for. 1t was thought that
SOEu6 VI Inclu MOIO AOI piCSVlSal cShSi
misled in some instances.
Major Hine thought that much good
often came from the investigations of
men who were not really practical and
who could not make living for them
selves on farm. Many of the men
who were very successful farmers were
incapable of making the patient investi-
cations that often led to very important
results. This led to some references to
several feeding experiments at some OF
the stations and one lately made at the
Maryland station was cited, wherein it
was demonstrated that there was no
more nutriment in the butts of corn
stalks than in the tops or blades, as well
as being no more digestible.
G. Lukens was skeptical on this
point although it appeared to be de-
monstrated by actual experiment
A lull occurring in the proceed
ings just here, President Harrison
handed the secretary letter to read
! that he had received from w. M. King,
late chief of the seed division of the
| Agricultural Department. Maj. King
had expected to attend to club meeting
but was prevented by sickness in his
family, so in lieu thereof he had sent
greeting and some comments on the
tendency of the times. He thinks
"the most successful farmer from this
time forward is bound to be the one
who reads most, thinks most and intel
| ligently aims to secure the best paying
results, by the adoption and putting in
practice of the most advanced teachings
| of agricultural science. The graduates
of our best agricultural colleges who
are now availing themselves of known
facts in science with the view of reap
ing peeuniary results therefrom are the
ones most likely to succeed.
Some discussion followed the reading
of this letter pro and con, when it ap-
pearing that we were not through with
the Manassas Institute, it was tackled
again and Major Hine referred
to Mr.. Belches' address as be-
ing in the main a good one, but
queried whether he was on the right
tack when he asserted that there was
too much produce grown. The true
policy without doubt is to raise all you
| can at as low cost as possible.
The vote that was taken at the insti-
tute affirming that corn can be raised
for 81 cents per barrel, was thought to
be an admission that Prince William
farmers were content to work very
cheaply.
John Ballenger had kept an account
of the expenses and profit on a field of
grass cut and sold as hay this summer.
He figured out a profit of $5.75 per
acre and thought this was rather
poor return. But some others thought
considering this was an off year-the
hay of rather poor quality, selling for
$40 per ton, and a liberal allowance
made for the labor bestowed, that the
showing was good.
The exceptionally heavy crops of
oats this year were commented upon.
The champion crop in these parts ap-
peared to be that of R. J. Daingerfeld,
near Alexandria, which was 16S bush
els on two acres.
The election of officers for the COM
ing year resulted in the choice of those
now in Office.
Adjourned to meet in FIVE weeks at
the residence of Mr.. J. n. Gibbs.
w GTInJcuANr SeoJhv