Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1917-02-01

vet the sun SnOne beautiful oil uoy o"N
farmers for many miles around came to
town by train, automobile and horse
drawn vehicles. Some came early in the
forenoon and remained until the close OF
the evening session n ar ten o'clock.
The exhibits as arranged in the Hall
made it a place of beauty, the many
bowls of gold fish along with the beauti-
full potted plants in full bloom making
the front of the stage most attractive
place. Back of these on the stage tables
were arrang ed for products of the farm
such as corn, potatoes, apples and grains
of various kinds.
To the right, and on the main floor,
the corn testing exhibit found a place
and was very interesting spot for both
men and women. This exhibit belonged
to Mr.. Herbert Zentz. the test bed con-
tanning three grains of corn from 2oo
ears all numbered and shown in special
ly built box These kernels were all
sprouted and showed strong vitality,
indicating thus that the selection of ears
had been a good one. Mr.. Zentz tests
all his seed corn and supplies many farm
ers with seed known to be first-class.
A collection of photos in frame in
this corner showed what progressive
farmer could do with waste land. One
of these photos showed piece OF ground
we'll grown up with bushes, the same be-
longing to Mr.. Bruce Dotterer and bord-
ering on the Jimtown road. This tract
was exceedingly stony, and picture
shows men removing the stone. The
final picture shows this piece OF land
covered with luxurious growth of alfalfa,
a bunch of which was on exhibit. This
alfalfa is fed to the herd of Holstein-
Friesian cattle on Mr.. Dotterer's farm
this winter.
Back in the room to the left on enter
ing the Hall was found the canned goods
exhibit. Here jellies of various kinds
were shown, fruits preserved, picked,
canned and otherwise, also bread, pies,
cakes, candies, butter in fancy prints,
all the work of ladies Of the community
and pupils taking the Domestic Science
course in the Thurmont High School.
Surely this was bad place for hungry
person to 60 or even gaze upon.
On the gallery was found the fancy
work exhibit -everything in the line OF
crocheting, knitting, tatting, and the
many other names for needle work, both
of today and more than hundred years
ago. A lady visitor after viewing and
examining the many articles remarked
that at was the finest lot of work she
ever saw exhibited. And she has seen
many exhibits and is competent judge.
Exhibited along with this work were
four large frames in which were arrang-
ed several hundred photographs of scenes
i'll the Philippine Islands. These belonged
to Mr.. John Boot and were secured by
him while stationed on the Islands with
the U. S. troops. Interesting indeed
were these pictures to the person who
took time to look and read carefully.
The chairman of the Ladies Auxiliary
Committee greatly appreciates the faith
full assistance of the members of the
local committee and subcommittee from
various other places. Interest in this
department and in the canned goods de-
partment is increasing, judging from the
exhibits made.
From the kitchen came the odor of the
fried oyster and boiling coffee, and many
visitors were attracted to that corner of
the Hall at the noon hour. Oysters
stewed or fried and oyster and ham sand
wiches and coffee were served by the
ladies' from noon until after the audience
was dismissed at night.
In the basement was exhibited the
poultry. The number of birds exhibited
was small, but the quality was of high
class. Interest in this department is
lacking and will continue so
until the committee in charge decides to
offer premiums of some kind, if it be but
a piece of ribbon. The birds should be
Judged; an entrance fee charged, and
from this fund money for premiums Sc
cured. Many persons in this community
have good birds and there should be
big exhibit each year.
Gold fish were exhibited by Messrs.
Charles ]. Ramsburg, William J. Martin
and Vincent Jackson.
The flowers were from the greenhouse
of Mr. Rob't E. Creager.
Corn was shown from the farm of Mr..
VIM. J. Martin and H. L. Zentz.
Potatoes and apples were shown by
David G. Zentz, A. L. Hauver, Raymond
English and John Kelbaugh.
Alfalfa and ensilage came from Mr..
Bruce Dotterer's farm.
DR.. Richard S. Hill, director of Farm
ers Institutes, was unavoidably detained
and was not present, this being the first
time he was absent for many years.
The morning session was called to Or
der by Mr.. David G. Zentz, chairman of
the local committee, and after few pre-
liminary remarks introduced Mr.. w.
Oscar Collier, of Talbot county. Mr..
Collier told in his usual interesting man.
ner of the best methods known for rails
ing corn and wheat and what benefit was
derived from the use of lime as a fertil-
izer. He was followed by Mr.. d. G.
Harry, of Hartford county, who told how
to produce and market milk and the cost