The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-08-17
GUNPowDER AGRICULTURAL CLUB.
Meeting at the Sheppard-Pratt Hos
pital Farm-Much of Interest Is
Seen on Every Hsnd-Many
Matters Informally
Discussed,

Discussed.
The Senior Gunpowder Agricultural Club met
Wednesday, August 18th, at the home of Mr..
Tnomas j. Lea, manager of the Sheppard and
Enoch Pratt Hospital Farm, near Towson. By
invitation the Junior Gunpowder Club was also
present. Other guests were-Mr. William L..
Amoss, director of farmers institutes; DR.. H.
Il. Newcomb, DIR. G. Allen Jarman, State Veteri-
marian; DIR. H. s. Adams, veterinarian, Cations
vile; William G. Shelley, Walter Poole, John
Shea, A. ]. Tarbert and David L. Matthews. Mr..
e. Cuttings Merryman was foreman and had
Messrs. John Crowther and Asa B. Gardiner, Jr.,
with him as inspection committee.
A stroll lasting over an hour was taken about
the farm and special interest was manifested in
the growth of alfalfa and alsike clovers. What
was seen were real object lessons and much APP
probation was expressed for them. 1t has been
question as to the necessity of getting soil
bacteria with which to start alfalfa successfully
those having used it speaking favorably of it.
Mr. Lea, after seeding several acres with alsike
clover and timothy, had four strips with alfalfa
seed sown to see what it would do. The seed
was not inoculated with any culture but took
very we'll. A good crop of the mixed hay was
cut and the strips of alfalfa now show decidedly
but they have a yellow cast. part had been
cut the second time and looks greener. This lot
of grass was seeded the latter part OF August of
last year and produced well. The larger lot of
alfalfa has been cut twice and has six or more
inches growth now. 1t was said the greatest
care should be exercised in cutting it, which is
governed by the shooting of plants at the root.
The excellent fertile soil having already pro-
duced large crops of hay-100 or more tons-is
covered with an encouraging second growth.
One of the best sets of alsike clover on about 30
acres, which followed wheat sown on cornstalk
land. was inspected. The set is a complete mass
OF fine clover which affords ample pasture. The
surprising thing about 1t is the seed was sown In
the fall with the wheat-17 lbs. of timothy and
lbs. of alsike seed per acre. Last spring he SOW
ed more of the alsike to cover the thin spots.
He has followed the fall seeding of grass for
several years and only plows the ground when
he wants to set to grass alone. Several acres
which had been MANFRED had been perfectly
plowed and is receiving thorough cultivation
for the grass seed. He will apply 500 lbs. per
acre of rawbone. South Carolina rock and muri-
ate of potash 900 lbs. each of bone and rock and
200 lbs. Of potash to make the composition. He
applies the same for wheat in corn land which is
set to grass.
In growing corn Mr.. Lea is equally successful,
judging from the appearance of the growing
corn in the distance and the large quantity of
splendid white corn in the crib, which is the
balance of the crop which yielded l6 barrels per
acre.
Every part of the large farm and the lawns
prove that the best judgment has been exer-
cised in adding fertility, and good management
shows in the neatness of all work towards the
better appearance of the property.
On inspecting the teams and stock of all kinds
1t was evident that the best care is given them,
with increased value as remuneration. The
twenty-five or more COWS of the Guernsey and
grade Jersey and grade Holstein, are most
healthy and of large frame, with indications for
a generous product of milk. The two Guernsey
bulls show the best strains. The herd has grown
under the supervision of Mr.. Lea who delights
10 well developed animals. The swine-num-
bering IS brood sows. boars, 2S shoats and Is
pigs-are in a most thriving condition and grow
ing into the best of meat for home consump-
ton and market, hundreds of pigs being sold at
profitable prices.
Judging from the garden products the best
vegetables are grown, and at times more than
can be used on the place, hence much is wag-
oned to Baltimore for good prices. Mr.. A. ].
Tarbert, the gardener, knows well how to make
the most out of his ground and produces the
very early and late vegetables to perfection.
On the stroll the laundry was visited and the
improved machinery for washing, drying and
ironing examined with interest. The casino and
other parts of the beautiful property were visit
ed also and the landscape from the high points
of observation greatly admired. The lake, with
its improved surroundings, was admired also,
and special attention was given the masonry
done by our genial friend of Philopolis, B.
mi Il 611-@ lie
his ability to do as was desired.
Several of the members visited and were pleas
ed with the results of the hennery under the
care of Mr.. David L. Matthews.
Mr.. T. P. w. France was the representative
proper of the Junior Club. August oath is the
date of that clubs meeting at Mr.. ]. G.. Bosley's.
Question for discussion: "How can we profta-
bly, increase our wheat yields2' Mr.. L. N.
Bacon was appointed to attend.
Mr.. e. G. Merryman was delegate to the Junior
Club when alfalfa Growing was considered
and special remarks were by Prof. N. Schmitz,
of the U. 8. Agricultural Department, on Plant
Industry.
Report of executive committee was not COM
pleted owing to the anticipated farmers picnic
at Mount Carmel. Mr.. Merryman reported that
September 14th was considered the best time to
hold the picnic as the desired speakers can then
be had.
Mr.. Upton H. Tarbert, of the Junior Club COM
mittee, favored September 14th as the date for
the picnic.
The cost of producing wheat, corn, oats, pota-
toes and hay per acre having been discussed
somewhat at previous meeting and the subject
being an important one, was brought up again,
and Mr.. John Crowther having prepared de-
tailed estimate of the cost of the several crops,
was granted time to give the figures. Some dis
cussion was on the fertility of the soil consumed
by crop and the quantity of fertilizer to use to
restore that fertility. vote was taken as to
those present using an average of S. or more per
acre, and one majority was for less than that
amount being used. Mr.. Crowther said he does
not believe in SIS per ton fertilizer and that we
should use the best grades to grow bigger crops
as the profit is in growing the most possible on
an acre. We lose nothing by using fertilizers.
Mr.. Bacon said he used SIS per ton and $25
per ton fertilizer on his wheat and no difference
was seen in results.
Mr.. Laban Sparks said he has used the cheaper
fertilizers but did not realize the desired benefit.
He used 500 lbs of bone and better grass is seen.
Mr.. Tarbert believes in rawbone for soil i'm
provement. As to the advisability of selling the
straw and buying fertilizer it was said it is ad-
vocated by some farmers and the straw is baled
and sent to market. Expression was that all the
straw possible should be used through the sta
bles and be properly handled as the soluble
manure gives the best returns. The cost of
baling straw per ton is 81 or more and takes
much from the profit of the straw which per
acre is valued at home at S.. Some farmers
deem 1t of advantage to bale the straw for home
use, as it takes up less ROOM but Mr.. DIS. Pearce
thought it an unnecessary expense as the straw,
If ricked in the yard, is not lost as 1t is worked
through the stables with good results. 1t is
good thing not to sell the straw but to utilize 1t
on the farm. AS to the corn crop needing fer
tilizer, Mr.. Lea said he has applied 1t where the
soil showed a lack of fertility but does not use
1t now. In seeding wheat or grass alone he uses
the composition which for years has done good,
and finds the fertility that follows the grass is
sufficient for corn crop. He does not let field
of grass remain over one year no matter how
good the set. In this way vegetable matter is
yearly added and fewer weeds are the result.
Mr.. John Crowther was given vote of thanks
for the detailed estimate of the cost of producing
the several crops. The estimates, as given by
Mr.. ]. 8. Crowther at previous meeting, were
also appreciated. He added the profitable price,
- o. ~. oar% &0 ho ooct Of nr0duofi0n wi