Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-01-28
WOODLAWN FARMERS CLUB
[ correspondence Alexandria G~zette.


The January meeting OF the Wood
lawn Farmers Club was held at tie
residence of James W. Roberts, Can
erou," on the 2lst instan', and was call
ed to order about II q. N. by a. w
Harrison, president pro tenn, in the
absence OF E. E. Mason.
The minutes of the December meet
ings were read and approved.
0 E. Hiae said that the farmers
about Vienna are desirous of organizing
club, and as some of them were pres
ent, by his invitation, he would like the
question discussed relating to the best
way of organizing such club so as to
accomplish the best results and avoid
the errors into which this club may
have fallen.
Several members expressed views on
the subject, and it was generally
thought that the members must each
take an Individual interest in the meet.
ings to insure success; that while there
is unity of effort very little constitu.
liou or bylaws is necessary.
J. w. Roberts said the club has been
great benefit to its members and The
aeiehborhood; some of our improve
ments in our methods CT farming have
oeen Introduced oy the club.
Some other oIgsniZ atoms outside the
club have had their origin in the clu'
W., the Fairfax Mutual FIRE Iaeui-
ance Company. the House Society etc
O. E Rine said the club has accom-
plished great deel of good; that get
ting together socially is very vaiua-
be feature of the meetings, and that
the good ideas picked up in the conver-
satious and discussions at the meetings
are very often extended. In the sane
way many evils are avoided.
The thing most TO be criticised il
the club is the lax interest of the
Younger members. Each memb ber shoulc
make it is first consideration TO atteuG
the meetings. Something could now
DO doubt, he added to the interest o
the meetngs by the orginial custom o.
critical committee to report the CON
dition OF { Ie premi es of the members
all the young men of the mem mbers
families should be encouraged to st.
tend the meetings and take part in the
business and discussions.
Mr.. Martin said there is no question
about the benefits of the social features
of the meetings, but that more can be
gained by discussions on regularly Sc
lected subject with some one appointed
to introduce it with prepared essay
than by our method of general discus
sion on various topics, and in this the
chair can show great discretion by
knowing his meu and appointing such
az will handle the subject best. The
Young mem bers should oe encouraged
to attend the meetings and bring theii
ladies along.
E. E Mason arrived late and took
his place as president.
Mr.. Harrison said be thought his
tory of this club would surprise many
of the members by what has been ac-
com plished not only wi hin the clut
but publicly. There are laws on oul
statute books that had their origin il
our club meetings.
o. E Hire said he thought joint
discussion by the Farmers club and tht
Housekeepers' club at the close of thei'
respective meetings would be Of i'll
terest.
This club holds prestage as the Ollie
farmers club in the State. There we!t
several organized near the same time
Dinner being announced the club to Ok
q recess.
After recess the subject of good o
roads was introduced and an article
read from the Washington Star OF The
application of crude petroleum to keel
the road bed dry. Also one from The
Scientific American of December "a
1898, on the same subject by the U. 5
engineer of Keokuk, La. Experiment
had been tried with from one to two
barrels of the oil per 100 feet, y feel
wide, with apparently good results.
The club thought the experiment.
worth trial and will probably take
steps toward trying 1t On some OF oul
county roads.
The club then discussed in a genera
way some of the phases of the ques
tions of annexation and Imperialism
| and adjourned to meet at Walnut Hill
the residence Of Mrs. Anna Walton
February 25, al 8 D. N.
CHAs. NJ. PIDGEoN, Sec'ty.