Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-02-09
Iofal aud Rersnnal.
Farm Demonstration Notes,

Farm Demonstration Notes,
Below will be found brief summary of
the activities of County Agent Van Hoe
sen during the month Of January. Much
of the demonstration work is not easily
tabulated. Some lines must be carried on
for months before it is possible to report
anything definite in the way of results.
During the month two new organizations
were started. and pruning demonstrations
were held in eight orchards. The follow
ing will give a general idea of the months
works Visits made to farms, 81; inter-
views on farm problems. SO; letters writ
ten, 1871; meetings attended. 10; atten-
dance at meetings. 533; miles travelled.
739
The farmers meeting in grange hall at
Brighton on January 81 was one Of the
most successful held in connection with
the demonstration work during the year.
The program published last week was car
ried out in full More than 70 persons were
present and took lively interest in the
subjects discussed. The ladies' provided
refreshments with their usual liberality.
In the evening the grange held an open
meeting for the installation Of its newly
elected officers. DR.. A. A. Brigham in charge.
A number of Howard county eraneers we're
present Every grange in Montgomery is
growing steadily. and 1917 promises to be
a year Of unusual grange activity.
Farmers who have yet to purchase their
clover seed for spring seeding will need to
exercise unusual care. A great deal of
Italian seed has been imported and will
probably be used to adulterate seed grown
in this country. No seed should be bought
which is not guaranteed to be American
grown. Italian seed will terminate. but it
is entirely worthless on account of its low
growing habits. Maryland grown seed
while not quite up to western seed in ap-
pearance, is really more desirable for Mont
gomery county conditions. This can be
had testing SO per cent or better in purity. |
Only clean seed should be sown. Order
early, if you would get what you want If
you want Maryland seed and cant get it, |
ask the County Agent,
Maryland's new seed law will be of |
great help TO the farmers in making it |
possible for them to be sure that they get |
what they buy. Every lot of seed from
ten pounds up. whether in bulk or in pack
ages must be plainly labeled with the
commonly accepted name of the seed. the
percentage of purity, the percentage of
weed seed, the percentage of termination
and the date of test. together with the
name Of the person or dealer selling same.
The label must also state the name and
approximate number of each kind of the
following seeds or bulblets, if they are
present at the rate of, or in excess of, one
seed or bulblet in five grains, (one-fifth Of
an ounce) of agricultural seeds, garlic,
Bermuda grass, johnson grass. quack grass,
dodder, Canada thistle. hawkweed. and
perennial SOW thistle. If you would get
the full benefit of this law, buy no seed
that does not bear the official label of the
State Seed Laboratory. Farmers are con-
sidered dealers, under this law. If the seed
they offer is advertised for sale, or is de-
livered through common carrier. that is.
by express. freight, or parcel post. The
new seed law and the State Seed LabOra-
tory are for the protection of the farmer,
and he should insist upon receiving the
protection which they offer.
The time is at hand when the would-be
poultryman is preparing for his early
matches While artificial incubation and
broodng are entirely successful, yet the
market is flooded with cheap incubators
and brooders. many of which are sure to
prove disappointing. They may give one
or two fairly successful matches. and raise
the first broods fairly well, but neither the
material nor workmanship are likely to
prove serviceable. And remember that
Matching is the easiet part Of poultry work.
Broodine is far more difficult. and should
receive more careful attention than it
usually gets A cheap incubator may be
disappointing. but cheap brooder is often
fatal both to the little chicks entrusted to
its care, and to the hopes Of its owner