The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-02-24

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and advantageously applied. The scien-
ti6c man is intensely practical; as he
builds on facts alone science truly makes
practical man.
The soil is the foundation of agricul-
ture, its condition determines the success
or failure of the work. This fact is so
far reaching III its effects that it deter
mines not only the amount and quality
of the crops produced. but in great
measure the character of the people who
till the soil. A natural barren soil may
and often does, under skilful manage
ment AMI intelligent work, produce far
more than naturally fertile soil poorly
cultivated. Humus is the basis of soil
fertility. Its presence determines not
only the amount of plant food largely
but its availability as we'll The failure
of soil to produce paying crops comes
many times not from the lack of fertility
but from the conditions that place that
fertility unavailable to the plant. He
who supplies the vegetable matter in his
soil and adds to that thorough tillage and
clean culture has solved the problem of
production. The sun and air will pene-
trate this soil; it will be moist in dry time
and porous when it is wet.
Plant roots will easily fluid their way
through it; it will noursh them into per
feet growth. Nature renews the soil by
the growing of plants, which ripen, decay
and go back into it, but when man comes
in and wrests the best part of her work
FROM her, appropriating it to his own use,
artificial measures must be adopted. The
by-products Of the feeding of our domes-
tic animals and the use of fertilizers Of
commerce then become necessary and
must be used literally and intelligeutly,
not for their plant-food alone but for
their mechanical influence on the soil. It
comes as part of our work and makes
the difference between blindlv following
precedents and tradition and acting in
accordance to fixed rules anl actual facts
Cheapening the cost oil production is an
essential part of our work today. II
can be done only by more thorough
understanding of the principles under
lying soil fertilization and the growth of
plants. 1t carries with it an improve
ment of quality as well as a greater pro-
duction. Better preparation of the soil
more careful husbantry, a larger use of
oh; ID IL
nections with the consumer are neces-
sary to solve the problems of Cheap pro.
duction and paying crops.
believe the lack of true appreciation
of what may be done by intensive work is
one Of the greatest drawbacks to success
full agriculture today. When the real
capacity of our soil for production and
the best means for developing it are fully
understood, we shall find the amount of
our products largely increased and the
cost decreased. A fixed course is desir-
able. Agriculture is suffering today from
the desire of our people to change. Mark
out course consistent with your farm
and when scientific work is done success
is certain and sure.
Comments ON essay were as
follows:
Harry Maxwell enjoyed it very
much.
Alfred Kirk thinks we could
gain very good points from essay.
John P. Wilson thought the
paper very commendable and
thinks great Geal of good could
be derived from our College,.
r. X. Rawlings thought the
essay very good one and speaks
highly of Agricultural College.
Elwood Balderston thinks we
should pay more attention to the
Monthly Bulletins sent us. A great
] deal of good could be derived from
| them.
Dinner being announced the fol
lowing committee was appointed to
view the farm during the noon
hour: Harry Maxwell, Robt. Cam
eron, Alfred Kirk.
The Club then did full justice 20
the excellent course dinner pre-
pared by Mrs. Reeder and her
daughter.
On re-assembling vote of thanks
was extended to the ladies for the
dinner, which all had so thor
oughly enjoyed.
Committee on inspection report
ed the cribs well filled, with plenty
of feed in the barn. The live stock
in good condition, particular men
ton being made of Mr.. Reeder's
fine herd of registered Jersey cows,
second to none in our State.
John P. Wilson gave quite an
interesting talk on fertilizers.
Elwood Balderston gave very
satisfactory talk on testing milk.
This being our annual meeting
officers were elected for the ensu-
| ing year as follows: Pres, Elwood