Evening star., 1901-06-18
KEEP IL I'm THE HOUSE!
AND TRUCKERS MEET.
discussion of Proposed Test of Soil in
Raising Vegetables.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
I.AI- Ell Nd June IL 1901

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
LAUREL. Md, June II, 1901.
Representative farmers and truckers of
the three counties adjacent to Laurel
Howard, Anne Arundel and Montgomery
with also a large representation of those
from Prince Georges county, met Saturday
afternoon at o'clock in Hills Hall, on in
vftation extended to them by the board of
trade of this town, for the purpose of con-
sidering the question of raising vegetables
used in the manufacture of relishes, and
especially in the production of cucumbers
for the marketable pickles. The meeting
was a gratifying success to the promoters
of the convention.
Mayor Edward Phelps, chairman of the
committee having the subject in charge,
presided. with DR.. T. M. Baldwin as secre-
tary- The mayor briefly stated the pur-
pose OF the meeting, and had read the re-
port of his committee, which recently Wis
tied the home plant of the concern, located
In Pittsburg, branch of which is to be To-
Gated here. A letter from the firm stating
the average yield per acre of cucumbers
and the price paid for the product was also
read. The chairman then introduced Prof.
w. T l.. Talferro of the Maryland Agri-
cultural College, one of the speakers of the
day.
The professor prefaced his remarks by
complimenting the board and the mayor of
the town for the zeal displayed in their
endeavor to secure manufacturing concerns
to locate here. Speaking of the varieties
of soils possessed by this section, and
which changed rapidly from one kind to
another, the professor assured those pres
ent that this section was adapted to the
raising of almost every kind of vegetables
produced in the United States. Fertilizers
were advocated by the speaker in the rails
ing of crops, and too much attention to the
scientific treatment of the land could not
be paid by the farmer. Concerning the
quality of soil best adapted to the raising
of cucumbers, Prof. TaliferrO said the COM
position between clay soil and sand was
that from which the best results could be
obtained.
Prof. H. ]. Patterson. also of the Mary
land Agricultural College, addressed the
meeting. and laid particular stress on the
advisability of paying close attention to
the raising of all the vegetables used by the
manufacturers, and not only to a single
product. He assured the meeting that this
section possessed better climatic cOndi-
tions. more favorable humidity and longer
| seasons than the greater part of the entire
| country. 1t shown to be better to
| have small areas well attended than to
have large tracts which were accorded but
Indifferent attention.
Both Prof. Talliaferro and Prof. Patter-
son We're warmly applauded at the conclu-
sion of their remarks.
Some of the largest growers of truck in
this vicinity, and men who have given the
raising of vegetables for the market a
thorough test, addressed the meeting and
signified their intention of making the test
Of raising cucumbers on their places dur
ing the coming season. Among those who
spoke Were William H. Soper of Burtons-
Vile, f. H. Burton and Louis H. Duvall.
all of Montgomery county; r. 7. Downs of
Anne Arundel. NJ. l.. Patterson of Howard,
Luther Brashears and ]. c. Louthan of
Prince Georges.
Committees to make a test of the ques-
tion were composed of the following: How
ard county, C. E. Waters. Henry lager, G..
w. Rem. NJ. l.. Patterson, R. ]. Cadle;
| Anne Arundel, r. T. Downs. ]. G. Downs,
| ]. w. Disney. jr.; Montgomery, William H.
Soper r. II. Burton and Louis H. Duvall;
| Prince Georges. Luther Brashears, George
| W. Haker, ]. C. Louthan and l.. E.
| Knowles
| The board of trade has arranged to send
| blanks, which are to be filed out by the
| farmers, and which will show the amount
| of land devoted to the crop, the yield and
| the cost of production. 1t also decided
| that the board would furnish seeds to the
| farmers desiring to make the test.
Next October representative of the firm
contemplating locating here will visit this
| town for the purpose of ascertaining the
result of the test. To keep the factory
running the year round will neceSSitate the
| cultivation of something like 200 acres.
| With moderate success attending the tests
this amount of land can easily be secured,
| and there is no doubt but that the question
| will be given fair trial by the farmers of
| this section. Already several truckers of
| Anne Arundel have put in some seeds, and
are exhibiting enthusiasm in the project.