The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1905-11-25
aUnPowDBR AoRIoULTURAL CLUB.


Monthly Meeting at Bellfeld Farm :
questions and Answers-The Mem
bers Express Their Views
on an Important.
Subject.
The Senior Gunpowder Agricultural Club met
Saturday, November 18th. at Bell6eld Farm, the
home Of Mr.. John Bond, near Butler. Mr.. N.
Howard Gill was foreman and had Messrs. ]. s.
Crowther and George Frame assisted in inspec-
ton. Others present were Messrs. Joshua Griffin,
of Kansas Lewis NJ. Bacon, John Crowther,
Jr., James B. Ensor, Joshua F. Cockey, William
H. Buck, Jr, Alex. d. Brooks. Frank Brooks.
Joshua Bond, Oliver Frank. William T. Grifith.
Frank G. Scott and Daniel s. Pearce, the latter
delegate from the Junior Club.
stroll to the cornfeld, barrack filed with
unbusked corn, and to the barn where much
husked and unhusked corn was, and where the
stock, with comfortable quarters and good ap-
pearance. proved of interest. While Mr.. Bond
has given his son the responsibility of the farm,
yet it is hard for him to keep from doing some
thing and he manifests much interest in plant
ing and harvesting the crops. 1t is pleas
ure to him to know that his son is equally sue
cessful as farmer.
Mr.. Bacon reported having attended the meet
ing OF the Junior Club and that Mr.. 7. M. Pearce,
where the meeting was held, is progressive and
the farm shows decided improvement under his
management. The discussion on the manure
question was of profit. Mr.. Pearce said the
manure spreader was considered ard as ma
chine will prove a good investment, and that
number of them are in use. 1t was said the
overlooking of the spreader will prevent it from
operating successfully. The cogwheels and
oha oh IN not Of o,.7a
Reference was made to manure-spreader con-
test recently held at the farm of Mr.. Benjamin
T. Ridgely, which did not prove satisfactory.
On motion, vote of sympathy was rendered
Mr.. 3. Cuttings Merryman in his illness, he hav-
ing been confined to his home with rheumatism.
The next meeting of this club will be held De-
cemheE 9th, at the farm of Mr.. L. NJ. Bacon,
near Relfast
HALF HOUR FOR QUESTIONS
How bestto stop washes2 Answer-Use fod-
der and pine or cedar brush. The fodder. If
placed with the butts up hill, will hold better.
and yet some members favored the top part up.
The fodder now, it was said, is too valuable to
put in cutters. Mr.. Bond thought well of plow-
ing in the sides of the washes and SOW oats and
grass seeds also to throw coarse manure about
them. Care should be exercised in not blowing
too closely to the washed places after they get
set in grass.
How can chickens be prevented from roosting
about the stables instead of the henhouse
Trouble had been experienced, even after the
chickens were kept in the henhouse for week.
Advice was to place woven wire shutters
about the doors of the stables but the better
plan is to wait Until late roosting time and then
drive the chickens out of the stables; they will
then go to the henhouse. 1t was said the best
results in eggs are from chickens kept about
the stables.
Are the members getting any eggs? Mr.. ]. s.
.Crowther said he was, and from 20 to 25 day.
He finds the White Leghorn and the White
Wyandotte chickens produce most eggs; many
of his are crossed breed. The Wyandotte is as
large, if not larger, than the Plymouth Rock.
From the feeding of dry wheat bran a report
was that good supply of eggs was received.
Rye bran has equal per cent of proteine as
wheat bran.
Is it as good for stock? Answer was: Yes;
but some cattle hesitate to eat it. They are in
duced to eat it by mixing other feeds with it.
Is it any advantage to bale hay for market2
Mr.. Gill said he lost on his baled hay as he got
more for the loose. The Western hay is bright
and saleable and we cannot compete with =
here
Mr.. Frame spoke Of the terminal hay ware
house and of the prime hay that is housed there
and of it being placed SO that the quality of it
can readily be discerned.
What is the cause of comparatively new land
failing to give good results though manure had
been literally applied and green rye had been
plowed under? Answer-It may be too much
manure had been put on. and that the green rye
was disadvantage. Mr.. Bacon thought the
green rye affected the action of the air with the
moisture as he failed one year in corn by plow-
ing under green rye. It was thought well to
apply lime or wood ashes and set the ground in
grass. Difference of opinion as to lime being
benefit to the land was expressed. Mr.. Bacon
said he never saw any good from it. Mr.. Buck
said better buy kainit than lime. Mr.. Ensor at
tributes the fertility of his upper farm to the
use of lime. He thinks there are certain ele-
ments in the soil that are set free byit.
M. John Crowther said there is great differ
ence in land, as some will show the benefit of
lime very readily; 40 bushels per acre is enough
to put out. He had heard of as much as 100
bushels being put on to the acre.
Mr.. j. s. Crowther said wood ashes will give
good results. Limestone land requires less lime
than the alluvial ground. Plants only take up
o certain part of it. Lime lightens stiff land
and stiffens light soils.
Reference was to the improved condition of
the farms known as 1.-THE Barrens," brought
about by the application of lime. The farmers
there are hauling wood to exchange for lime.
Does it pay to fatten cattle if only the manure
is clear profit? Answer-That is about as much
as can he figured on. Mr.. j. s. Crowther has
fattened as many as 100 steers year and never
gained much profit outside of the manure.
What best do with strips in corn land An
swer-Cultivate them and SOW oats and grass in
them.
How much was paid per barrel for gathering
corn? Answer-As much as % cts. for husking
it in the field. On paying AZ cts. per shock it
was found that the husking per barrel was only
IA cents.
Reference was to the excellent corn crop, and
that of Mr.. w. H. Wight's 10 barrels per acre on
% acres. Mr.. Gill reported 215 barrels from Is
acres and row and a half of shocks in the field
yet to husk. He reminded the members of say
ing he had q fair corn crop, and this was before
it was cut of. An article in the Country Gentle
man was referred to that said Indiana's average
corn crop was only s barrels.
REGULAR QUEsTIoN-''wHY DOES THE WEALTH
OF THE FARMERS OF THE UNITED STATES
REPRESENT A SMALLER PER CENT. OF THE
TOTAL WEALTH OF THIS COUNTRY THAN IT
DID SOME FORTY YEARS AGo?"
Mr.. Bacon said: ut is no doubt true that the
people of wealth go to the cities. The city
affords entertainment and better schools and
church advantages. Our forefathers were salts
fed with their surroundings; our people want
pleasure and city life and privileges. Forty
years ago there was nothing to take the boys
away from the farm. Such are the attractions
and inducements there our boys can do better.
There has been a change in conditions in the
country, and in many localities farms do not
sell for as much as they did forty years ago and
there is not as much thrift manifested. Much
is due to the high social life of the people. 1t
may be that some Lancaster county farmers are
well-to-do, but generally farmers do not possess
the wealth as formerly. Occasionally wealth
comes from the city and buys up large tracts OF
land. We find culture and refinement in the
country and intelligence on the part of our
people. but the educational benefits and bust
ness attractions take our people. especially the
young, to the city. Farm produce sells for
about as much as it ever did, but SO many are
not contented with farm life."
Mr. John Crowther said "There is less attrac-
ton now in the country and not as much money
there to crafty the wants of the people. There