Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-02-18
FARMERS CONVENTION,

number of farmers present from all Sec
tioDs
The address of Chairman Miller in
substance was as follows "As chair
man Of this meeting, it is my duty to
remind you that this meeting rounds
out quarter of century of the exist
en0e Of this convention" He spoke OF
the farmers as being isolated and com.
PEELED at all times to depend on their
own Municipalities. He spoke of tn e
sharp competition among the farmers,
and urged them to be always on the
alert to take advantage of all opportuni-
ties or else they would find themselves
being left behind by the more watchful.
The report Of committees was next in
order.
RAILROAD CROSSINGS.
Mr.: Roger Farquhar, chairman, said
that the crossings we're conducted in a
most satisfactory manner at all points
on the Baltimore and Ohio, which had
come under his observation.
CRIMSON CLOVER
Mr.. Uric Hutton, chairman, said that
crimson clover had not been treated fair
ly' and especially so by Montgomery
farmers, who carelessly scatter their
clover seeds and leave It to take care of
iteelf This clover would become more
popular if the farmers would use more
discretion in sowing it. 1t is easy to
cure and healthy and much-reished
food for stock.
j. b. Ager, of Prince Georges couu-
ty said crimson clover improves the
ground and crops sown alter it are al
ways good. He sows according to Cap
tain Sylvesters plan, viz 70 SOW after
the last cultivation of corn and not, as
by Mr. r. H. Miller's plan, of sowing
before, and has always found it very
productive.
Mr.. X. II. Miller says crimson clover
should be sown about bushel to every
three acres
STOCK BILL.
Mr.. Ager called the Conventions at
tention to the subject of the inspection
Of stock and read bill which is to be
presented to the General Assembly at
an early date. The contents of the bill
in brief are as follows:
Section l. Any cattle troubled with
tuberculosis shall be examined by the
State veterinarian, and all cattle foun d
to be affected shall be killed and owner
allowed $40 per head.
Sec. 3 At the request of the owners,
all cattle shall be examined at the ex-
pense of tho State.
Sec a. That the inspector shall ap-
point an assessor to value cattle con-
demned under section 2.
Sec. 5. That all dairymen shall be
compelled to register their cattle, under
penalty of fine not less than $40, nor
more than $50.
Sec d. Annual inspection shall be
made of promises where stock is kept.
Sec. Z. That the amount at the dis
posal of the State veterinary be ipcreasd
to 100000.
WASHINGTON LAW.
DR.. Mahlon Kirk called the attention
OF the convention to the recent law pass
ed by the authorities of the District of
Columbia, requiring that all farm and
market wagons be compelled to carry
light, OF lights, in such positions that it
might be seen from all four sides, and
requested that the convention take some
steps protesting against the harshness of
the measure, arguing that when wagon
was loaded with hay or straw, if it was
compelled to carry lantern attached to
it, there was more or less danger of the
load catching fire.
Mr.. Roger Farquhar. who was ap-
pointed at the recent meeting of the
Olney Grange, a member of the CON-
mittee to call upon the District authori-
ties, and protest against the enforcement
OF such law, was called upon to state
the result of his visit. He said the
commissioners we're not disposed to
moderate the law at all in regard to
market wagons, but they would con-
slider the advisability of excepting farm
wagons loaded with hay and straw.
Mr.. I. b. Stabler stated that the Dis.
trict had passed the law at the solicita-
ton Of the bicyclists, who thought that
IT they we're compelled to carry lights,
other vehicles should be made to do the
same.
The chair then appointed the follow
ing committee to again wait npon the
District Commissioners, and request that
they repeal, at least that section of the
law referring to farm wagons: Mr.. Asa
M. Stabler, William K. Muncaster and
Uric Hutton.
The meeting was then left opon for
new business.
GOOD ROADS.
Gen. Roy Stone, of Washington, D.
o., Department of Agriculture, sp oke
as follows upon the subject of roads
The actual losses to farms by reason
OF bad roads has been estimated 10 other
States at 81 per acre, but by reason of
the Character Of the roads in this section
the dairy and market damage is larger
aud places the loss at the above estimate.
That represents capitalized 5 per cent
a dimlnution of the value of the farm
$50 per acre. The correctness of this
report has been proven in States where
good roads have been, &c Farms in
crease in value from $40 to $50 with
ready market, and one-half of the States
are making improvements in their roads,
generally raising the money through
county bonds, or by the aid of the State.
which includes the property of the State
and large corporations The system of
having the farmers pay the road tax is
an unjust one, as by this only one quar-
ter Of the property is compelled to pay
for the building Of all the roads of the
county. The cities aud corporations are
now ready to pay their share, but there
is no general law by which they can do
so. The movement, therefore, is gen.
orally 10 the direction Of State aid in