Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-02-07
Farm Demonstration Notes.

The question of summer leeumes is at
tracing more and more attention in thu
county. Nitrogen is an absolute necessity
IN profitable crop production. 1t can b,
bought on the open market as grown a
home In fact, it is the only fertilizinl
element that the farmer can really manu-.
tacture for himself. 1t is far cheaper t
grow nitrogen than to buy it. This is par
tlcularly true now that all fertilizer price:
are so abnormally high and all fertilizer
materials so abnormally poor. Alfalfa un.
questionably stands at the head of the
list OF our nitrogen storing field crops. But
Its uncertainty in this county is heavy
handicap. We should grow more alfalfa
but we should supplement this capricious
crop with more dependable summer leg
ume. For this purpose nothing surpasses
soy beans. We have proved that they are
well adapted to the county. Soy bean
hay is a great milk producer and nearly
equal to alfalfa in the feed lot Variety
of seed, time and depth of planting, inocu-
lation, method of harvesting crop, ETC.. are
questions that need attention. 1t is not
hard crop to grow. and when properly
handled is both profitable and reasonably
sure. The present prospect is that more
soy bean hay will be grown in the county
in 1919 than ever before. The seed crop
is short and orders should be placed at
once.
Fruit growing and general farming do
not always make a happy combination.
This is particularly true under the present
labor conditions. These conditions are not
likely to improve for some time. But this
is hardly legitimate excuse for neglecting
the home orchard. The home orchard is
not commercial proposition. Its profits
should be figured in terms of convenience,
satisfaction and health rather than dollars
and cents. Its size should be such as not
to interfere seriously with the larger farm
operations. A very little attention Of the
right kind at the proper time would insure
profitable crops of sound fruit and double
the period of the orchard usefulness. Now
is the time to prune and apply the dor
mant spray If it is necessary. The farm
demonstration office will be glad to render
whatever service it can in helping to solve
home orchard problems.
The victory garden is to take the place
of the war garden. Every argument that
held good for every family having war
garden SO as to release the commercial
pack Of fruits and vegetables for export.
holds good for the victory gardens now
that peace has come. The food needs for
1919 are no less serious than were those
of 1918. 1t is essentially a home con-
sumption problem. Plenty for the home
table, but none to waste. Many vegetable
gardens are altogether larger than neces-
sary, A portion could be profitably set out
to bush fruits. This phase Of gardening
is not as general as it should be. Now is
a good time to 90 over your entire garden
plans for the year and see what chances
there are for improvement. And don't
forget to get your seed orders in early.
The Bureau Of Markets Of the Depart
ment Of Agriculture has extended the date
for the sale of nitrate Of soda from Janu-
airy 25th to February 18th The price is
$81 per ton plus the freight. and it can be
had in any quantity from 200 pounds up.
Anyone desiring to order should commu-
nicate at once with County Agent Van
Hoesen.