The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-02
SEES FORTUNE
in BLACK MUD
OF ANACOSTIA
Wa s h i n gton Newspaperman
Leases Flats-tO Raise
$4,000 First Year
AGRICULTURAL DEPT.
HELPING HIM OUT
Experts See Gold Mine For Re-
porter in Newly Acquired
Farm"

WASHINGTON, Jan. John Mar
in hammers a typewriter in the press
room of the municipal building and
travis pay from an afternoon newspa-
per In the daytime; at night he
dreams of fortune In pedigreed corn
and potatoes from the black mud OF
the Anacostia flats, between the
Army War college and the Govern
ment Hospital for the Insane.
John Martins knowledge OF agri-
culture and bucolic scenes was gained
mostly from a survey OF the hover
bed at Fourteenth-st. and Massachu
setts-ave., where the equestrian statue
Of Gen. Thomas looks down upon lilies
and fuchsias. The window OF Mar
tins apartment overlooks the spot.
Last summer a fishing expedition
took him TO the south shore OF the
eastern branch of the Potomac, near
the F1rth-Stirling steel plant, where
the government has built up acre AFTER
acre with mud dredged from the chan
nels or the branch. Congress mas
been worrying for a long time over
the best means OF producing revenue
from these fats, and when the district
commissioners were asked to pass on
the question OF leasing these acres OF
river mud for five years Martin got
the tip and, having some money laid
by, decided to go into agriculture.
At the outset, however, he realized
that the variety OF husbandry en-
ployed by the city's gardeners on the
Gala lily and fuchsia beds OF Thomas
Circle is slightly different from farm
ing on the FLATS" OF the eastern
branch, so he went TO the department
OF agriculture and made them a propo-
sition. He offered to back the de-
partment in any little experiment 1t
might undertake on his farm" which
is 113 acres In extent, and was Sc
cured from Uncle Sam at five-year
rental figure. Martins farm" being
within the one-carfare zone, and
hence in the city limits, the depart
ment experts jumped at the chance
OF experimental land so close to
home.
John pointed out the location of his
rich acres by the use OF the map OF
the district, and described II as be
ing almost In the backyard of the
Government Hospital for the Insane
and within swimming distance of the
Army War college. He brought up
some mud for them to examine and
they told him that owing to the pres
ence OF much acid In his soil he
would better plant corn the first year,
as Il eliminates the acid.
Martin chartered a Negro and two
mules and some farm machinery and
started ploughing his land in the fall.
and the department told him where to
buy his corn.
"But," asked Martin, "how much
can make out OF 113 acres OF flats
IN everyday corn? I've got this land
for only five years and haven't any
time TO kill"
That's easy" said one OF the de-
partment scientists. you buy 30
bushels OF very aristocratic. high
toned seed corn and raise a crop OF
A. Allowing 10 acres for failure
you've still got 100 acres for the good
sorn. which ought 10 average around
, go bushels TO the acre. This will
make rs bushels OF shelled corn to the
acre, and with such corn finding a
ready market at 81 bushel you ought
90 clean up about $4,000 gross on
your frst crop"
"And after that crop what shall 1
piantr
aThen- the department, II You are
willing to pay the expenses, will ex-