Evening star., 1927-05-01

course, most farmers here, as else
where in the East, have some pet crop
which brings in a little extra money.
These range from rabbits to English
walnuts, from pheasants to roses.
With the trunk lines affording easy
access of perishable products to Wash
ington and Baltimore, there is excel
lent transportation service given by
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, whose
Metropolitan branch bisects the
county.
The following statistics show the
value of live stock on the Montgomery
County farms: Total value, 81 1868 ,S55;
horses, 1873 head, value, $4,000;
231 mules, $17,580; 19, 900 cows, $685.
$40: 462 sheep, 1881; 1858 swine,
$40, ,432; 218,595 chickens, $257,9
These figures are for last year, and
they probably will be increased when
the next census is takenSby the county
farm bureau.
There are 199700 acres of improved
land. or this total, 38 per cent is in
pasture This. says Mr.. Anderson, is
rather alarming. If any more is de-
voted to pasturage, the balance. will
be upset. The remedy is to create bet
ter pastures. There is very little wood
land, and the farm bureau, in coop
GRAFTON with the Maryland State Agri-
cultural College, is conducting a mum.
ber of reforestation experiments in
various parts of the county. OF the
improved land, 1874 per cent is in corn,
24.3 per cent in small grains such as
wheat, oats and rye, and 1872 per cent
in hay.
New FarmhOuses.
The farmhouses, even aside from
the splendid old colonial mansions,
are exceptionally good. Probably no
other farming community in the
United States is better housed. Many
OF the farmers have been building
| new houses during the past few years
and it is interesting to note that the
/ bungalow type predominates. The
suburban architectural influence is
/ spreading into the wheat and milk
| belt. But there is no unartistie stand.
| arization Of type. Each bungalow,
set amid broad acres, has it's individ-
uality.
Most Of the national farm organiza-
| tiOns are represented. The Grange
| Is powerful The Federation Of Farm
| ers' Clubs is active. The Farm
/ Bureau Supply Co, operating under
! the County Farm Bureau, Is instru-
mental in obtaining cheaper prices
| on such commodities as fertilizers and
! seeds by purchasing in wholesale lots.
! There are strong local representa-
: tons of the various pure bred stock
i associations. such as the Holstein,
/ Guernsey and Jersey Associations.
Most encouraging OF all from the
| agricultural standpoint, the boys are
| growing up to be farmers. The JnTlor
| organizations to encourage the rats ns
Of pure bred stock by farm boys and
| girls, which are directed by the county
| agent, have large and enthusiastic
memberships and the enthusiasm of
| the young people has it's effect on
their elders. Montgomery County
boys have won high places in national
| judging contests.
1900 in Rockville.
| The county seat, Rockville, is
town Of about 1900 inhabitants with
| concrete streets, excellent schools and
| churches, and a great many splendid
| old homes. Throughout It's 200 years
Of existence it has been an agricul-
| tural center, doing a big business in
| farm machinery and household sup
plies, and serving as a shipping point
for milk, flour and cattle. Here are
located the courts the cOuntlAOtt1c ialS,