The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-03-23

Deer Creek Farmers Club.
Report Specially for The Egis.
Mr. John D. Worthington handsomely enter
tanned the members of the Deer Creek Farmers
Club. at his home, "Ethelwyn," near Bel Air,
OH Saturday night of last week.
At the appointed hour, the president of the
club, Mr.. ]. Lawrence Mccormick, called the
meeting to order and appointed Messrs. John
B. Wysong, William W. Finney and W. Beatty
Harlan q committee of inspection. In making
his report, Mr.. Wyeong stated in part: 1--WE
have had the pleasure of looking around the
comfortable and substantial home of our host,
and while the ground is covered with mantle
of white and without the bleakest OF March
winds is blowing, within all provisions for the
welfare of man and beast are evident. In the
horse stables we saw fine young driving mare,
one of the progeny of that good sire, now IN
happily passed away, that in life bore the name
of "Mr Nat" and whose offspring were uni
versally esteemed. Also fine driving horse,
a son of old Thorndale Idol, that has left be-
hind him q heritage of as good horses as ever
were foaled in any county. On all sides we
found reatuess and order prevailing in the ar
rangemeut and care of the stock. Three finely
bred young heifers, whose appearance proves
the value of their dams, were in the cow
stables"
Mr. William Finney, of the committee, said :
81 was much impressed with a circular water
trough, which has the advantage Of being easily
emptied and cleaned and can readily be kept
clear of ice. / also commend the fact that the
corn house is protected with wire netting
which is bar to the depredations of sparrows
rats and mice. The garden was convenient
and the force pump for supplying the stables
was great advantage"
Mr., W. Beatty Harlan said: "As was put
on the committee in the capacity of critic, 1
am very willing to critcise what we have seen,
ie could have found anything to criticise
Mr.. Worthington seems to possess the knack
os keeping everything in perfect order.
On motion, the election of officers of the club
was postponed until the next meeting.
In announcing the subject for the evening.
Mr.. Worthington said: 1T is very common
for person in selecting subject to name one
on which they themselves can talk, but such a
course is not always the most profitable to be
pursued. On the latter basis l have selected
for this evening 1.-THE Selection. Culture and
Care of Fruit thinking that with the help of
others we might learn something on this very
important subject, especially in view Of the
fact that we have with us this evening Prof
Robinson, of the Maryland Agricultural Col
lege, who has consented to tell us something
on the topic of the evening. There is nothing
which comes from the farm which gives us
greater enjoyment than our fruit, particularly
apples. and yet doubt if there are two house
holders in this gathering who are now eating
their own apples, but it seems to be just as
practicable to keep our apples as to keep the
New York apples.
Mr.. Harlan-"I have some apples yet"
Mr. Jacobs-"I have some at Prospect Hills"
Mr.. McCormick-"I still have some."
Mr.. Archer-"And so have IT,
Mr. worthington-"Then Mr.. Archer may
tell us his secret for keeping them first"
Mr.. Archer-"Perhaps the reason the other
gentlemen have some apples yet IS because
like myself they have something like the
GrindStones or York Imperials which no body
will eat. The York Imperial is a fine looking
apple, but next to no account for Use"
Mr.. Wortbington-"I am with you on that"
Mr.. Wiliams-"I like them"
Mr.. HcCormick-"I think the secret this year
was that the fruit was of a more perfect na-
ture, and had longer keeping qualities within
itself.
Professor Robinson being called upon for re-
marks on the subject Of fruit, said In part: II
was agreeaby surprised to find that our good
host was mistaken when he estimated that
there were apples at present in your county
and l shall be very much more surprised il
do not find that he also underestimated your
knowledge upon the subject of which will
try to say something. As to the selection, Gull
ture and care of fruit, much depends upon the
circumstances of soil, location and environ
ment, as well as upon the use for which it is
foIa atfI ~nF
merce or consumption. In the first place, re-
garding selection, the above remarks hold
primarily good In growing apples for sale, the
demands of the market m ust be consulted. In
varieties, other things being more or less equal,
handsome color is requisite to a ready sale.
The Ben Davis and York Imperial are standard
sellers on account of their brilliant color. The
Roxbury Russet, while an admirable apple in
every way, is oversold by its more rudy
brothers. There are several good varieties of
apples, notably the Langford Seeding. The
Kennerd's Seeding, Smiths Cider, Baldwin,
Rhode Island Greerng, the York Imperial and
others. The selection of the trees to be planted
is of course of prime Importance. Trees that
budded from known producing trees
sure to be more productive than those budded
from stock in the nursery row. 1t is great
mistake to do the budding haphazard and dis
regard the fact that in budding, as in other
processes of natural reproduction, like begets
like The buds should he taken from strong,
prolific fruit bearing trees. The age of the
tree is also to be carefully considered. 1would
not plant an apple tree of over two years of
age. Nor would plant anything over year
Old peach tree if given to me. In the care of
the trees it ust be remembered that the fruit
tree is struggling under the burden of produce
ing two crops at once, and on this account re-
spends generously to any assistance given to
it. That is, while one crop of fruit is being ma-
tured the second crop is already forming, and
tina ca yX which is to appear q year later is ly
irg in embryo in the wood of the free. Guilt
walton Is az necessary to the production of
good crop of fruit as to any other of the crops
of the farm. There is no reason why Hartford
county should not produce as large and as
valuable crops Of apples as any section of the
State if the conditions are studied and the re-
quirenents of the tree met with. 1t may not
naturally have all the advantages of some of
the Western Maryland lands, but with care
and attention equal results will ultimately re-
ward the orchardman. Az to cultivation, it
will not do to stir the ground too deap,as in this
way the roots may be injured. A disc harrow
is a good implement with which to cut the turf
from around the trees and keep down super
nuous growth. Brambles and bushes should
not be allowed to clog the orchard. A first
class mulching for trees and one which have
seen applied with pood effect is woods earth or
other muck containing fair per centage of
organic vegetable matter. The power of such
TO assimilatc the essential mineral elements of
the soil and turn them into nutrition for the
plant life is amazing. Interesting experiments
along t6s line are now being made at the Col
lege, which dem nstrates beyond doubt the
immense value of the humic acid contained in
such mulching. In fact, by practical expert
mcnt made in Florida it was found that the
potency of this agent In separating these min
eral clements was great as tnat of sulphuric
acid, which up to that time had been univer-
sally employed for the purpose. By this cans
IL reduction of South Carolina rock in such soil
us / have spoken CT, aboundingin huuac acid,
proved the theory advanced in its favor by re-
claiming with one application of the compost
a worn out piece of Florida land. Nothing is
better for this purpose than couple of cart
loads of woods earth about the roofs Of each |
tree. ! have seen this applied on farm in |
Anne Arundel county for several years. and |
the result has been uniformly beneficial as to |
admit of no doubt as to Its efficacy,