Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-03-22
Mutual Farmers Club.

residence of n. w. Solenberger Feb
ruary 25th.
The club convened at IL o'clock.
President Pidgeon being absent, III.
). Lupton was elected president pro
tenn. Nearly all the members were
present, and to several visitors pres.
ent the president, as usual, extended
an invitation to take part in any dis
cussions chat might come up. After
the reading and adoption of minutes
OF last meeting, the criticism of Dan
lel T. Wood S farm was read.
The editor of the Club Advertiser
being absent, this interesting feature
of the Club had to be postponed.
The advertisers would not be outdone
At this, however, so came forward
and told of their wants" and wares
for sale
David Lupton read paper on
What Is the most profitable use to
make of animal bones which accu
mulate on the farm?" He advised
that they should all be saved and
ground fine and used for plant food,
or sell them and buy a more availa
bic form Of fertilizer. J. W. Bran
son asked if 1t were advisable to pur-
chase bone cutter and feed the cut
bones to chickens? Those present
who had had experience with bone
cutters said they would cut success
fully only green or uncooked bones.
aud of these there are very few OH
the average farm. The cut bones
were relished by the chickens and
gave good results in the increased
quantity of eggs.
The Club then adjourned for re-
cess. After doing full Justice to a
beautifully laden table. the club re-
sumed work.
John L. Bond read an essay in an
swer to the question, "If you have
more pasture than you own stock,
would you buy cattle or pasture cat
tie for Others at 81 per month" Mr..
Bond has had experience IN both
courses and concludes that he would
much prefer buying cattle than pas
turing for others. In grazing for
others the returns may be quicker,
but usually less. The question was
asked would one be responsible for
accident or damage to stock while
pasturing them. The general opin
ION was that he would not be respon-
sible unless the accident was the di-
rect result of carelessness or negli
gence- The question was also asked
would 1T pay to put cattle out to pas
ture. 1t was advised that the farm.
er should aim not to have more stock
than he can pasture we'll, because he
would perhaps give them better at
tention than anyone else, and the
manure could be used to maintain
the fertility of his own farm.
care you an advocate of fall or of
winter plowing?" was answered in
paper by Saml. L. Pidgeon. Mr..
Pidgeon's experience led him to be
heve that land should never be pillow
ed in the fall for spring crops, be
cause the exposed soil lost some of
Its fertility by notification and the
soluble plant food leeched deeper in
the soil out of reach of the plants.
The soil also often becomes too com
pacted for best results. Many soils
could be plowed in late winter but
sandy or leechy soil should not be
plowed until April.
The following is the programme
for next meeting
State the disadvantages that may
arise to this club by drifting off from
referred questions under discussion.
Referred to Jonah L. Rees.
Are the advantages of artificial
Matching and rearing of chickens
sufficient to commend them to the
favor of the ordinary farmer? Re
ferred to L. NJ. Boyer.
VIII 1t pay in this market for the
owner OF small farm to engage in
market gardening? Referred to ID.
w. Branson.
is 1t not more profitable to spread
our surplus straw on our land than
to sell it at few dollars per ton?
Referred to VIM. f. Branson.
Under head of miscellaneous busi.
ness, q representative of q natant u,;ra