Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-02-16
Farm Demonstration Notes.

The short course in domestic science will
be held at the Maryland State College of
Agriculture next week. February 10 to "a.
A very practical and interesting program
is provided, copy of which can be had
by addressing the College or County Agent
Van Hoesen.
Both the lime and fertilizer situation is
anything but hopeful, both as to prices
and prompt delivery for spring use. Some
companies are refusing to promise de-
liveries of lump lime, but will book orders
for pulverized limestone. The latter is en-
tirely satisfactory when used in proper
amounts, ton being equal to about 1900
pounds of lump lime. Car shortage is likely
to continue serious problem. Better see
your dealer at once. if you have not already
done so. Spring will soon be here. and the
situation demands earlier attention than
usual.
That the farm demonstration work is
steadily growing in both popularity and
usefulness is evidenced by the fact that
within a few weeks every county in Mary
land will have a demonstration agent.
Several have been appointed recently. Mr..
Fiddler taking charge Of the work in How
ard county only last week. Over 1900
counties are now organized throughout the
country. The agricultural press is giving
lie hearty oupnnrf m tho u,nuamaat VUhat
was looked upon for time as a doubtful
experiment has. by its practical helpful
ness. earned a place as an established
feature of agricultural progress and de-
velopment. But the amount of benefit
which any county will derive from the dem
onstration work will be determined largely
by the demands that it makes upon the
service. Submit your problem. There may
be a solution for it.
The pruning and top-working demon
stration. which was postponed on account
Of the weather, will be held in the orchard
Of S, P. Thomas. Ashton. February 18th.
at 10 A. M. Prof S. B. Shaw assisting,
An interesting field meeting was held
last Saturday morning in the orchard of
Granville Thompson, near Colesville. Mr.
Thompson has been doing some excellent
work in bringing an old and profitless
orchard into profitable bearing. He prob
ably has the largest and most productive
Grimes Golden tree in the county. From
it and its mate. which is somewhat smaller,
he sold $l06 worth of fruit in a single
season. 1t is not desirable that every
farmer should become q commercial Or
chardist. but with a little care many a
home orchard might help to lower the cost
of living. as well as pay dividends on the
investment. Neglect is standing ihvi-
tation for failure to visit your orchard.
Two new farm tractors we're unloaded
in this county this week. one for S. P.
Thomas. Of Ashton. and one for j. B. Dia-
mond. Jr., Of Gaithersburg. More people
are interested in farm tractors than ever
before, and are wondering If they may not
prove to be the solution Of some of their
labor problems. They may. The matter is at
least worthy Of careful investigation. The
discussion of this topic is on the program
of the Farmers Convention on February
2lst, when some interesting facts ought
to be brought to light. A tractor repre-
sents too large an investment to be pur-
chased without careful consideration. Their
limitations should be understood as well
as their possibilities. We hope to have
an announcement Of unusual interest to
make soon in connection with the tractor
proposition.