Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-03-22
!. 80, Z.
F !. RhERS' INSTITUTE
Held in Court House at Maaassas-
Centennial of First Agricultural
Club to be Celebrated.


The Northern Virginia Farmers
Institute held it's regular March meet
ing, an the Courthouse in Manassas
on Friday last.
Mr..aW. C. Shackleford, district
demonstration agent, spoke on the
preparation of land for corn. Before
beginning his regular address, Mr..
shackleford stated that the one hun
dredth anniversary of the organlza-
ton of the first agricultural club IN
the United States, which was organ
lied at Charlottesville, would be held
in that city, May Z, 1917. This club
was organized one hundred years ago
bv Thomas Jefferson, James Madison
and other prominent Virginians re-
siding in Albermarle and surround
ing counties. In connection with the
celebration, a barbecue will be given
at Monticello the old home Of JET
ferson. Mr.. Shackleford cordially IN
vited and urged the farmers of this
section to attend the celebration
Preparation of Land for Corn
The following is summary Oh WI.
shackleford's address; No iron clad
rules can be laid down as to the pre-
marathon of land for corn owing TO
he fact that conditions differ on dit
ferent soils, ETC.. In Albermarle If ne
could pillow all his land for corn on
the same day he would pillow 1t the
first of April.
A rotation practiced by success
ful farmer in Richmond county is as
follows: wheat, corn, wheat, grass. In
some sections of the state the yieids
Of corn has been increased greatly
by blowing under crimson clover be-
for planting the corn. Corn IS a
plant that requires a great deal OF
nitrogen and if the crop can be pre-
coded bv a nitrogen gathering crop
! it is advisable.
Discussion of Sheep Husbandry.
This discussion was opened by MT
w 3 Doak, of Fairfax. Mr.. Doak
spoke of the Columbia Sheperds Stan
which is composed of farmers ada
cont to the District Of Columbia. Inc
object of this organization is to com
mel respect for the sheperd and FOL
the Sabbath. Most of the raids Of
the sheep are made during the week
ends by the residents Of the cities
The staff is composed of a number OF
prominent men in this section OF the
state as we'll as in the District and
MARYLAND. Mr.. Doak confined his
talk to making conditions favorable
for sheep raising and closed his adj
dress by reading very effectively a
passage from Hiawiatha.
Messrs. Ransdell, Heuscr, Sttere,
Myers, Round, Leachman and Common
each made short talk on the subject
of sheep in which they gave their
experience and views on the subject
Mr.. Myers of Fairfax stated that
!! the dogs had given him a great deal
of trouble and had just recently been
killing his hogs. Mr.. Leachman
county treasurer, spoke of the num-
Der of dogs on which taxes had been
collected, etc. The records of the
| Clerks office show that 1857 were
assessed in 1915 and only so returned
delinquent. Mr.. Doak spoke Of the
damage done by dogs especially those
belonging to hunters who come out
from the city.
At the conclusion of the sheep dis
cussion the meeting adjourned. The
canning club girls under the super
vision of Miss Gilbert and Miss
Johnson served a vegetable lunch at
the high school building.
The next meeting of the Institute
will be held Saturday April Z at
the courthouse in Manassas at 1880.
The principle subject for discussion
at this meeting will be the care of
orchards. Mr.. r. S. Ralston, State
Horticulturist, will address the In