The Baltimore County union, the Towson news., 1909-11-27
eUNpowDER AGRICULTURAL CLUB
Meeting at Beautiful Gerar Farm-Presi-
dent Sylvester Among the Guests
Inspection Reveals Much of In
terest-Questions and Ans
Wers-The DrOupht etc.


terest-Questions and Ans
wers-The Drought, etc.
The Senior Gunpowder Agricultural Club met
Saturday, November 20, at Gerar Stock Farm,
the home of Mr.. E. Cuttings Merryman, near
Cockey sville, and there was good attendance.
Mr.. John Bond was prevented from being pres
ent owing to sudden illness. MIR. George Frame
of Baltimore, was also unable to be present on
account of continued illness. he Senior Club
members present were Messrs. Daniel S. Pearce,
Thomas V. Richardson. Granville Matthews and
Upton H. Tarbert. Messrs. George Jessop, ].
Fritz Cockey, d. Webster Ensor, A. D. Brooks
and President r. w. Sylvester of the Maryland
Agricultural College. were among the guests.
Mr. John Crowther was foreman and had Messrs.
James B. Ensor and Asa B. Gardiner, Jr., as in
spection committee. A stroll about the premises
and stables showed the results of the labors of
the host in the care of the property and stock,
and proved of much interest and prompted
commendable remarks. Whilst the drought
shortened some crops, yet the large pasturage
and the many acres of new-set grass and grow
ing grain show favorably. The farm is finely
situated at the head of Worthington Valley,
which might be likened to the fertile valley of
Gerar in the time of Abraham and Isaac, whose
herdmen had contention with the herdmen OF
Gerar over well of water. Reference during
the stroll was made to the name OF Gerar being
of Biblical history. The farm is abundautly
supplied with water from flushing springs, an
artesian well, and great quantity OF clstern
water gathered from the roof of the large barn.
While Mr. E. Cuttings Merryman was APP
pointed to represent the Senior Club at the
meeting of the Junior Gunpowder Agricultural
Club held today Saturday 30 at the home OF
Mr.. U. H. Tarbert, yet the members of the club
were also included in the invitation. The pro-
gramme for the Maryland Horticultural Mary
land Cereal and Forage Crop Breeders Mary
land Bee Keepers, Maryland State Dairymen's
Associations, and the Farmers' League-to take
place December 2 and 3-was read. Mr.. Asa B.
Gardiner, Jr., was appointed delegate to the
Farmers League and Mr.. James b. Ensor,
alternate.
Mr.. Gardiner spoke of the competitive exhibits
of dairy products and of the judges to give a
public explanation of the methods of judging.
He said the milk will be gotten right from the
man who handles the product, and the exami
nation will be by Government experts. Five
prizes will be awarded. He also said Maryland
is behind the times in handling milk, as it does
not take every precaution against impurities,
as does the State of Minnesota. He urged inter
est.and attendance at the meeting when special
addresses would be given, including the value
of sprouting grain for milk products and beef
growing The advantage is not only in the feed
ing value, but in increased product, as bushels
of grain make 25 bushels of food and with no
cd or. There are ovens to sprout the grain, and
one oven, costing $3.50. would produce enough
food for 20 head of stock. blank from the u.
s. agricultural Department respecting the aver
age yield of crops was filled as follows: wheat,
22 bushels oats, 80 bushels barley, Al bushels
rye, IS bushels potatoes, so bushels, and hay
ton per acre."
President Sylvester said that the report re-
spectng the responsibility of Director of Farm
ers' Institutes William L. Amoss being curtailed
or hindered was erroneous, as he is conducting
successful institutes in lower Maryland, and
will later present programmes for Baltimore
and other counties. He said Mr.. Amoss' depart
ment, like that of Director H. ]. Patterson and
other departments, makes reports to the com
mittee on agriculture. Heretofore Mr.. Amoss
reported to the board of trustees. Mr.. Amoss
has Mr.. Joseph Wing of Ohio to assist, and is
not deprived of getting other valuable talent.
The steamboat institute work has been of high
intelligence and great many people have been
reached by it. President Sylvester explained
the conditions at the college and said an en-
ployed auditor looks after the correctness Of
all accounts, and every detail of the college
work is we'll guarded. AS to the testing of fer
tilizers, &c. he said the greatest care is taken 80
that all goods sold are analyZed and bulletins
sent out setting forth their worth. AS to the
prosecution for frauds, the States Attorney has
authority. Samples should be taken from in
ferior goods in the presence of witnesses and
sworn to before a magistrate to be evidence in
IL, I1a hon fnf
spraying fruit trees, and very encouraging re-
suits and profits derived by large fruit growers
were stated. Institute work as to the be.t meth
ods of spraying in season would be given. Mr..
Gardiner referred to the pure food law for the
State which is being considered and thought
with SIS, 5,OOOappropriation thorough inspection
could be carried out through the Agricultural
College.
Mr. James B. Ensor-There should be an in
spection of iron, as there is much of inferior
material in farm implements, judging from the
frequency with which the iron breaks
AS to the possibilities of the farm, Mr.. T. V.
Richardson, who owns one square mi of land,
said. with good judgment and management
money invested in land brings the best returns.
President Sylvester stated that ten years ago
he bought in Charles county farm of 16O acres
for which he paid 5000 and sold it for &c. 0OO such
were the improved conditions.
Mr.. E. G. Merryman reported having attended
recent institute at the home of Mr.. Robert
Crane in lower Marylan and was much pleased
with all he heard and saw, and especially the
generous hospitality.
No report of the executive committee as to
time aud place of the next meeting was rendered.
HALF HOUR FOR QUESTIONS.
What 10 +I,o oona;+;op of +ba orominn xuhoot
Answer 10 per cent, but it is doing well con-
sidering the drought.
What the normal yield of wheat for the farms
in this section? Answer-20 bushels to the acre.
The average for the State 13 bushels. Mr.. Gran
vile Matthews reported the best yield of wheat
of those present, his being 80 bushels to the
acre. The lowest average of any was II bushels.
What is the average yield of corn to the acre
for the State? Answer-4X barrels or 22K
bushels of shell corn. Mr.. q. H. Tarbert had IL
| acres of corn that averaged between Is and IL
barrels per acre. Messrs. L. V. Richardson and
| d. s. Pearce barrels. 1t was said Mr.. W. D.
| Curry got II barrels and had 90 acres. The
average per acre of corn for this section this
| year is 6 barrels
| Would it be advisable to SOW grass seed now
Answer-Better apply manure when convenient
and get the ground in good order before seed
ing in the spring, it is rather late to SOW grass
| seed now. A suggestion was that in sowing
| grass seed for small lot to SOW enough seed
| over manure on manure spreader that will be
sufficient to cover the ground, but expression
was, better SOW the grass seed separate.
Reports as to the setting of crimson clover
alfalfa and fall grasses were unfavorable owing
| to the dry season.
AS to the benefits of agricultural instruction
and the school at Sparks, remarks were that the
school is the greatest blessing that ever came tc
that section of the county. The children &C
home explaining the soil and its needs, telling
their parents much of what they have beer
ignorant.
Mr.. George Jessop-He has about met thu
problem as to getting rid of wild rye grass, bu
proved somewhat expensive and tedious. Or
three acres he sowed eight tons of coarse salt
He plowed the land several times, narrowed il
thoroughly and went over and picked up thu
roots and burned them. He thought he got thu
wild rye in the manure he bought.
Mr. D. s. Pearce-He saw this year good corr
grow in wild rye, and remark was that Mr.
John Crowther sowed wild grass seed with othe
seeds to get permanent pasture.
AS to selling timothy and buying clover ha!
for cows, some expression was, it would b.
advisable.
Mr. A. q. Gardiner. Jr., placed alfalfa at 10
per cent clover rs, timothy so. and corn fodde
%, as to the feed value of each.
In stabing dairy cattle advice was to secur
good ventilation and sunlight. The bank-bar
stable is not so essential as has been thought.