The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1946-03-01
Soil Conser-
walton Urged
Members Of Farmers Elk
change Hear Conser-
walton Discussed

Over fifty Eastern States Farmers
Exchange members attended the an
nual local dinner meeting held at
Bay ViewCommunity House last Wed
nesday. The meeting was sponsored
by Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Ayers. local
representatives, with the assistance
of Mr.. Wilson Price, the Cooperative
Field man for this territory.
Following an enjoyable dinner pre-
pared by the local ladies, Mr. Lloyd
Wyker, Manager of Belvadere Plan
tation, Calvert, acted as Chairman
After technicolor picture on the
development and present scope of the
Farmers Exchange, a representative
Of the Seed Service explained what
constituted quality in seeds ana
stressed the care which goes into the
selecting processing and distributing
of seeds to the far-fung membership.
A lively discussion on the current
feed situation followed an explana-
ton by jovial Colonel Wallace OF the
crisis in the industry and the steps
that were being followed to assure
an equitable distribution of the lin
tied available supplies.
Wyker asked Clarence Brown to
introduce the next speaker. Brown
serves as Treasurer of the recently
organized Cecil County Soil Conser-
walton District. In the absence OF
Miss Margaret England, chairman OF
the Districts Board of Supervisors
and of Mr.. Fred MARTENS, secretary
he took the opportunity to introduce
to the group Mr.. Charles England,
owner OF Guernland Farm near Zion,
and Mr.. Ira Moore, well-known farm
er and sawmill operator of Elkton.
These two are the other members OF
the Districts Board of five supervis-
ors.
Mr.. Cotton told the farmers why
our state and county residents, both
rural and urban, were awakening to
the urgency of improved farming
practices which conserve soil, water,
wildlife, man and eventually our CIV
ilization. He said Conservation is
matter of great Importance to the tax
payers of the state and even greater
harbor city of Baltimore" Thousands
of dollars are spent annually dred-
cling the precious topsoil of Maryland
farms out of the channels. Mr.. Cot
ton explained how millions OF dol
lars have been expended to provide
Baltimore with good and lasting
supply of water only to have the
three great dams fill with silt and be-
come useless in the span OF mans
lifetime. This silt was only part OF
the topsoil and fertilizers that made
the streams muddy, much more went
on to the oceans. The watershed
blocked by these dams amounted to
only 10000 acres.
From a nutritional standpoint,
these same taxpayers are concerned
about the wasting away of our top
soils. Cotton urged Cecil County
farmers to make start toward con-
seryation farming this spring; to try
planting one field at least around the
hill instead of over the hill; to ex-
pect to see an increase In yields oil
from 10 to 20 per cent in an average
year.
In concluding the interesting meet
ing, Mr.. Wyker added to MI. Cotton's
talk by saying, Improvement In
Conservation Farming processes and
methods no longer make 1t necessary
to hire expensive large equipment.
He described how terraces could be
made with whatever equipment the
farmer had available, but added that
ON many farms no terracing would be
needed.
1t was suggested that any farmer
contemplating making start toward
Conservation Farming get in touch
with one of the District Supervisors
or with Mr., George Swartz, who is an
experienced technician located in
Elkton, and whose services are avail
able to any farmer requesting assist
ance with his farming plans.