Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1901-03-15
Farmers Convention.

Thursday Of last week in the Lyceum al
Sandy Spring. There were 100 enthusiastic
farmers in attendance. The secretary said
the men present were farming $4,000 acres
many of them being extensively engaged In
the dairy industry.
Dr. Augustus Staber read an essay emit
tied Substitutes for Bran, or How Can the
Maryland Farmer Best Produce His Own
Protein ?" He said in part Cows require
two pounds protein day, OF which one
and one-tenth is required to produce one
pound of butter fat.
One clover plant in good condition usu-
ally grows from its roots during the period
OF growth enough nitrates to feed two timo.
thy plants. In the same way white clover
benefits the grasses in pasture sod and locust
trees furnish nitrates to grass that grows
under them. 1t is no longer a question
whether we shall grow leguminous plants,
but which, how, when and how many In
order to balance the carbohydrates and fats
in our cereals, grasses and grains.
Corn and cowpeas are mutually beneficial
to each other, like timothy and clover. The
bacteria on pea roots furnish plenty of nj
trates for the corn to grow on. Cowpea
hay, the proportion of one part by weight to
i've parts of ensllage, makes a ration that
very closely resembles blue grass and white
clover pasture in June, BY adding five
pounds of corn and cob meal day to the
average Jersey COW would be sufficient grain
with this ration.
Cowpeas are peculiarly adapted TO the
thin light land where rental of land is q
small item and the benefit OF soil improve
ment will balance cost of seed. The same
land may be kept growing corn and peas
year after year indefinitely If mineral fer
tilizer be added when needed Considers
the Whippoorwill and Wonderful the best
varieties to grow for hay or snsiage pur
poses. Recommends the New Era plant In
fallow ground for wheat the crop to be
made into hay or pastured off in time to
seed October /. Thinks the soy bean is
destined to rival the cowpea in this latitude
on rich land. like alfalfa, the plant must be
understood to succeed, II will not grow
well on poor or wet land. Soy beans are as
rich in protein and richer in fat than linseed
meal, and mixed with corn without grind.
ing make an ideal ration Tor hogs.
DIR. j. Walter Fewkes, OF Kensington,
gave an elaborate account OF the township
system in vogue 10 New England States in
his boyhood. He considered IL was an edu-
cational feature, as every male over 81 was
obliged to attend township meetings. Politics
was entirely eliminated from these meetings.
Mr.. Allan Farquhar read brilliant paper
on the township system. He said 10 part
"Fhe township system is the perfection of
local self-government as distinguished from
Capitalization. II is doing for ourselves and
being ourselves and responsible for what is
done rather than having it done Tor left un.
done) by others beyond our immediate con-
troll, who may or may not have a personal
interest in doing the work properly.
Considerable discussion followed by Messrs.
Manning, DR.. Stabler, Bonifant, Gilpin, II.
b. Thomas, Prof. Patterson, II. H. Miller,
and others. Mr.. Bonifant declared that there
were too many people who required wider
and smoother road when they returned from
the city than when they went there. He
made many amusing illustrations of his OPP
position to the system and gave some of the
other speakers a scorching for advocating
Massachusetts conditions in this State.
After much pro and con discussion Robt
IL. Miller made a motion that i've adopt the
township system as soon as practicable"
Upon a rising vote So voted in favor, and
there was nearly an equal number who re.
fused to vote at all, so it was considered as
being carried unanimously. 1t appeared
that those who failed to vote were in favor of
the motion, but considered the system should
be somewhat modified; some thought it
should first be confined to roads only
Mr.. Miller moved that committee be ap.
pointed to take charge Of inaugurlting the
township system. The chair appointed the
committee.
Prof. Ii. j Patterson spoke on the subject
an what forms can We most prOftably
purchase and apply commercial fertilizers |"
This was followed by many questions, which
the professor answered, giving much prac-
tical information.
e p. Thomas read a very practical essay
on "The corn crop and its relation to farm
economy"
The ladies who had charge Of the bounte
Gus lunch which was served 10 the school
house were Mesdames M. 4. Moore, g. M.
Farquhar, II. II. Miller, Kate Thomas and
Misses Elizabeth T. Staber, Rebecca T.
Miller and Lille b Stablcr.
Mr.. 4. p Thomas is president and M. o.
Stabler and Il b. Thomas secretaries.