The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-07-06

enemies to contend With before final disposition,
| he must simply do his best and wait results
The grass seed sowed IN the wheat is up nicely.
| We found the horses and COWS comfortably
ouartered, but regret that the fodder and clover
| hay had given out, compelling him to feed the
COWS on timothy hay. On our way to the house
we stopped at an outbuilding where lot of
chicks are kept, they having been Matched by an
incubator. This being his first experience with
this system of raising chickens we hope it may
prove success.
1.-THE situation of the home is desirable, as
good view of the valley is had from it.
+ I: y y: S SzSSss Committee"
Mr.. J. s. Crowther reported as to the yield of
wheat last year 10 bushels per acre; corn, lOH
barrels; hay, X ton milk sold, besides what was
used for the family, s.lO5 gallons. His farm of
90 acres is called "Windy Knob"
Mr.. Thomas ]. LEAFS letter respecting visit
to his farm and the cutting of alsike clover
feet 11inches high, was read. The time for the
visit was not set, awaiting the expression OF the
Junior Club members, who are also invited. Mr..
Lea was commended for what he has done IN
raising big crops, especially for his success with
alsike clover when other farmers fail in growing
the red clover Those who have seen the clover
r
port two tons per acre will be harvested this
wear. Many subjects of interest were intro
duced and proitably considered, among them
that of preparation for harvest and the value of
corn fodder. Being ready for harvest is most
important in the way of help as well as improved
machinery. While some consider the side-de-
livery rake as necessary, yet others think with
the hay-loader it can be done without. The
rakinR of the hay is not required as the loader
takes the hay direct from the swath. With all
of the requisites for harvest the best manage
ment and the most economical results are
looked for.
It was said the yield of corn is the index as to
the quantity Of fodder. The Carroll corn grows
small fodder, but there are some varieties that
produce large crops of fodder. Considering the
large growth of fodder it was deemed advisable
to raise more of it and sell the hay. The best
cultivation for the corn was advised, but shall
low working was thought the best after the corn
is fair height. The condition of corn Is far be-
low OeI16F years, owing to the cool weather, but
decided change in color and growth is noticed.
Mr.. L. Ii. Bacon has planted go acres and though
late in doing it, yet the condition of his corn is
as good as that of his neighbors. who planted
earlier.
Mr.. Gardiner said with corn and alfalfa we
will be able to get along in feeding without buy
ing so much grain feed and without going 30
much to the mill. Men who are successful are
those who are following in the line OF growing.
alfalfa.
Mr.. Bacon said he wants to seed six acres and
referred TO Mr.. D. S. Pearce having cut two acres
that gave him 8 to tons of hay. Mr.. Bacon has
plowed down crimson clover; also has grown
cowpeas to add fertility in order to raise larger
crops. He finds that where cowpeas grew the
wheat is as good as where manure and fertilizer
were applied to the potatoes and fallowed by
wheat. The cost of the elements Of fertility per
acre would be about $1OO, then with sunlight,
air and good cultivation the soil would be sweet
ened and improved.
MR. 8. Crowther said science teaches us what
are the necessary elements for soil-improvement
and we must follow its instruction. We must
manage to grow better and more feed and BUY
less The cost of fertilizers enters largely In the
expenses of the farm and we should manage TO
add fertility without them. Bone should not be
considered chemical fertilizer. For forty
wears we have been using fertilizers and the con-
dition of the farms does not show for the outlay
We NAV grow more wheat but we are doing so
at a loss to the farmer who deserves compensa-
tion for his labor Farmers should be lenders
instead of borrowers, and can make their cir
cumstances more encouraging If they would
consider the cost of production and not produce
what does not pay them.
Mr.. John Crowther said farmers need to study
the requirements of the soil and cultivate their
farms with thought and system. Crimson clover
and such leguminous crops should be used
| in connection with fertilizers and lime. The
part of this county, which has been known as
"The Barrens,' was years ago poor. but now,
with good cultivation, lime and phosphates, ex-
| cellent crops are raised. Mr.. Woolsey of Har-
| ford county, improved poor farm by feeding
| cattle. using the manure and applying ground
| bone Farmers must get together in thought as
to their calling as we'll as together in action for
their interests and as urged by President Roose-'
Welt. Every cost Of each crop should be esti-
| mated and the proportionate value of small and
! large crops should be found out. Farmers should
keep up the fertility of the soil and not plant so
much of the crop that does not pay, as the more
| we raise the less we get for it.
| AS to the cost of pasture, Mr.. Gardiner said
the manure ought to Offset that and while straw
is not reokoned of great value. yet the humus
added in its application to the soil adds fertility
/ While the pasture of q COW is reckoned at 81 per
| month, yet farmers would not pasture herd OF
20 COWS for $500 year. He said also that every
| farmer should know what he is doing and should
| cut out all crops that show no profit The oats
| crop for several years gave trouble in harvest
| ing, owing to the weather, and was considered
| improbable too,as it would not average over ~
| bushels per acre.
As to timothy being hard crop on land, leav-
ing it less fertile, remarks were that it feeds
| near the surface and can hardly improve the
soil.
| Mr. John Crowther said he does not believe
| much in the soil-impoverishing that if we farm
with Judgment and keep up the rotation Of crops
| the fertility is retained. He said also that the
| success Of farmers depends upon the labor they
| get In some localities public works exist and
labor prefers to work there, and yet when he
i was farming he could get the necessary help.
| He remarked that we have been arguing on the
| cost of crops, which is very important and the
| members were expected to bring in their esti-
mates, then by comparing them we can about
come to the cost of what we produce. He mad
estimated the cost OF corn, wheat and hay and
this had been done by the Senior and Junior
clubs years ago and proved most interesting
matter. The cost of wheat per bushel-raising
20 bushels per acre-he puts at 90 cents and corn
at 10 barrels per acre-at $lSs per barrel ana
8 barrels DER acre-at S1.9O per barrel. He said
IL we raise less wheat we would not have enough
for ourselves. We are now exporting % per
cent. of what we grow. France raises only
about what she needs.
Reference was by Mr.. J. s. Crowtherto part of
the proceedings of the club in 1902 at Mr.. Gar
diners, when the cost of producing milk in
Minnesota was cents per gallon when here it
costs IA cents, counting the labor, taxes and
keep of the COW. That experiment stations, 1t
was said failed to add to the cost other than the
l feed, The value of the COW as q money invest