186 



THE LANCASTER FARMER. 



[December, 



ful cultivation of other crops, and in this way the 

 culture of the weed may do good. After all, such 

 things regulate themselves, and might therefore be 

 very properly let alone. 



W. H. Brosius, from observation, believes the rais- 

 ing of tobacco has been a godsend to hundreds of 

 people in this county. Many people with a few acres 

 have bepn enabled to pay for them through tobacco 

 alone. We are not farming tobacco growing on the 

 Virginia plan. 



C. L. Hunsecker said growing tobacco has been of 

 vast benefit to many farmers. We ought not to bring 

 our prejudices to hear on this question. Everybody 

 knows our methods of farming are so good that there 

 is no danger of their exhausting our soils. 



Levi S. Reist said all knew our soil has been grow- 

 ing better yearly. Tobacco is not more exhaustive 

 than corn, yet who talks about limiting the growing 

 of corn? We get five times as much money out of an 

 acre of tobacco as from one of corn, while the former 

 crop is not so exiiaustive. Tobacco brings hundreds 

 of thousands of dollars into the county : with this we 

 can buy all we need to keep up the fertility of our 

 farms. 



Israel L. Landis thought there was no question 

 that a crop that lielps us out of our financial difficul- 

 ties ought to be continued. You may as well recom- 

 mend the limitation of the wheat crop. Besides, if 

 we stop, other portions of the country will not. Our 

 farms are growing richer yearly. Tobacco farms are 

 no exception. Our farmers are too shrewd to make 

 the mistaku of letting their farms rundown. Neiiher 

 did he believe the weed is as exhaustive as some 

 believe. 



William .McComsey was not sure that his opinion 

 on this subject was of much value, hut he would give 

 it for what it was worth. Our farmers have been 

 crowded out of certain markets, such as pork, beef 

 and others, by the cheap lands of the west. It has 

 become necessary therefore to give their attention to 

 some other crop in which they may compete succcst- 

 fuUy with other sections. Tobacco is of universal 

 consumption. Our soil fortunately is well adapted 

 to its growth. Our production commands the high- 

 est price in the market. It is a legitimate pursuit, 

 and Ijeing very remunerative, it is very proper that 

 our farmers should he encouraged in its production. 

 But at the same time lie feared the love of gain may 

 lead some farmers to attempt to grow too much. 

 This may in time impoverish the so 1. We should 

 have the future in view, and while he believed in the 

 cultivation of tobacco to a limited extent, he depre- 

 cated its excessive growth. It is the part of wisdom 

 to limit its cultivation among us, so tliat one part of 

 our farms are not enriched while others are impov- 

 erished. 



Casper Ililler merely wished to tell how he felt on 

 this question. He was not opposed to raising the 

 weed . Kvery man should be left to settle the matter 

 for himself. 



H. M. Engle,who occasionally looks at the "curse," 

 but neither grows nor uses it, thought we should not 

 be altogether swayed by the matter of dollars and 

 cents. At what expense has all the money gained by 

 tobacco been made ? He could see no good results 

 from its use; thcrelbre, he cannot encourage the 

 growing ol'it. lie at the same time did not see how 

 tlie production is to be curtailed. The Russian Men- 

 nonites admit no members to their church who use 

 tobacco. He wished they would in time absorb all 

 other denominations, and thus put an end to its cul- 

 ture. 



On motion, the further discussion of the subject 

 was postponed indefinitely. 



Report of Fruit Committee. 



The fruit committee reported as follows : 



Win. Weidle, of Lancaster city, showed extra fine 

 specimens of pears, viz : Lawrence, Duchess, Beurre 

 d'Anjou, Vicar of Winkfield, Winter Nelis, and some 

 small specimens of the Henderson pear. 



Daniel Smcych had a fine specimen of loua grape 

 just picked from the vine ; also a good specimen of 

 Baldwin apple and a specimen for name. 



James Martin, of Soudersburg, exhibited a seed- 

 ling apple that appears to have more than ordinary 

 merit. It is said to he a good bearer, hang well on 

 the tree, and keeps all winter; quality good. 



Hiller ifc Son showed Tewksbury Blush, York Im- 

 perial, Yellow Twig and Lady Apples, as varieties 

 that will hang on the trees late in such dry seasons 

 as the last one. Also some specimens of a Lancaster 

 persimmon of good quality, almost seedless. 



Henry M. Engle had on exhibition about a dozen 

 varieties of Ohio apples, some of them very superior 

 in quality, but the varieties were not recognized by 

 the committee. 



F. Sutton and Casper Ililler exliibited fine speci- 

 mens of corn. 



Bills Paid. 



Bills for janitor's services, 81.2.5, and subscripton 

 to TuE Fakmer, ^2, were ordered to be paid. 

 The Lancaster Farmer. 



H. M. Engle read the following: 

 To the memliers of the Agricultural and Horticultural 



/Society of Lancaster county ; 



Gentlemen : I feel it my duty to announce to 

 you, and through you to the friends of agriculture, 



that I have disposed of all my right, title, and pub- 

 lishing interest in The Lancaster Farmer to John 

 A. Hiestand, Esq., the proprietor and publisher of 

 The Exmaiiier and Express, and from and after the 

 1st of January, 1S79, that journal will be printed 

 and published by him at The Examiner Office, No. 9 

 North Queen street, and I ask of the society a con- 

 tinuance of the courtesies and kindnesses they have 

 alwajs extended towards The Farmer while I was 

 the publisher. It gives me pleasure also to announce 

 that the editor who has been identified with the 

 journal from its origin, will continue his services as 

 heretofore. Further details will be announced in the 

 December number of The Farmer. 



L. Ratuvon, 



Publisher. 

 There being no further business the society ad- 

 journed. 



LINNiEAN SOCIETY. 



The society met at the museum on Saturday, No- 

 vember ZO. at 2 o'clock, p. m.. President J. S. Stahr 

 in the chair. In the absence of the Secretary, Wilmer 

 P. Bolton was appointed Secretary pro tern. After 

 the usual opening business the following donations 

 were made : 



Donations to Museum. 



A white Quartz arrow head, found in Manheim 

 township by W. F. H. Amwake. A peculiar fish 

 found in an oyster by C4eo. H. Miller. This fish dif- 

 fered very materially from former specimens found 

 under similar circumstances. Mr. Stauffer deter- 

 mined approximately as Pholis caroKnus, or chns- 

 mndus, of the family Blannaidje. A peculiariy in- 

 fected specimen of the common mouse — Jfns mnxcu- 

 liis— by Chas. A. Hcinitsli. The mice in certain parts 

 of Lancaster city become affected with a whitish, 

 scrofulous excrc scence on the upper part of the 

 cranium, which is calcareous in its character. Two 

 spherical silken cocoons of the garden spider 

 (^/)d?'« )•»;«/■;<(), by William 6. Thackara. A fine 

 specimen of the "True Snow Bunting" (T'lrclo- 

 phaues niralix), liy Hon. J. J. Libliart, of Marietta, 

 where this bird was obtained. Although occasionally 

 found in this county it is rather rare, and its pres- 

 ence is usually accompanied bv a cold wintry storm. 

 The common "Snow Buntins" (Junco hyerimlix) as 

 its name implies, is quite a different bird. The region 

 about Hudson's Bay is the breeding place of the true 

 Snow Bunting, and when it leaves that region hum 

 comes southward it generally indicates that the 

 northern winter has fully set in. It seldom goes 

 farther south than Pennsylvania. A young tortoise 

 and an egg, by Wilmer P. Bolton, ol Liberty Square. 

 The animal is too young to determine its species ac- 

 curately ; it has the appearance of a young "Painted 

 Turtle" — Chrysoiiys picta—\ml tiom the fact that 

 Mr. B. found these specimens on hiErh ground in a 

 wood, they jirobably belong to the "Wood Tortoise" — 

 Glypternyf> inaculpta. 



To the Historical Section. 



Master Wm. A. Marshall, of the United States 

 navy, donated a "specimen brick" from the "Great 

 CInnese Wall." Chas. C. Frailey, esq , donated a 

 hunch of keys (five in number) that formerly be- 

 longed to the old Lancaster prison. Three of these 

 keys are numerically marked iii., viii. and xxvi., and 

 the one received from 'Squire Evans is marked 

 xxviii., which would imply that there are, or were, 

 still others. S. S. Kithvon donated seven envelopes 

 containing 85 historical and biographical scraps, and 

 a copy of the Lancaster lutetllgencer, published by 

 Mrs. Dickinson, and datca October, 1S26. 



Additions to the Library. 



The November number of The Lancaster 

 Farmer and five eatalogues of valuable standard 

 books, one of which had over 1.50 pages. 



Dr. Ilathvon read a paper (.506) descriptive of the 

 difl'erent specimens donated, to be filed among the 

 records of the society for future reference. 



Acordial and unanimous voteof thanks was passed 

 to the difl'erent persons for their valuable donations. 

 The treasurer reported tliree new subscribers to the 

 museum stock sii.ee the last stated meeting, and that 

 he hoped to be able to report all the obligations of 

 the society canceled at the annual meeting, Decem- 

 ber iS, 1878. It is also expected that the secretary 

 and curators will make a full report of the society 

 for the year. Professor Dubbs exhibited specimens 

 of historical tiles from file Baron Si^gle mansion, at 

 Manheim, which are now becoming rare and valuable. 

 Also a handsome paintini.' by .Mr. David McN. Stauf- 

 fer, of a family seal, which he obtained on his late 

 visit to Europe. The meeting was not large, but it. 

 was interesting, and the wonder is that so few take 

 an interest in matters relating to science and iiistory. 

 Much as the society needs pecuniary means it needs 

 acting working members more. Adjourned to the 

 date mentioned aliove. , 



Sheep-groweks in England claim that a feed 

 consisting of cotton seed and turnips is not only the 

 safest for fattening sheep, but will put on the mo.st 

 fat and make the best mutton at the least cost. It 

 also produces the strongest manure. 



AGRICULTURAL. 



Table Showing Quantity of Seed to Acre. 



Table showing the quantity of seed Lecessary for 

 an acre, and the number of pounds in a bushel, as 

 established by law : 



No. of Quantity com- 



lbs. per moDly sown to 



bushel. the acre. 



Timothy Seed, 45 s to 12 qts 



R-aClover 60 8 to 10 qts. 



Wiite Clover, 60 6 to 8 lbs 



Lucerne Clover, 60 8 to 10 Iba 



Alsjke tluver, 60 8 to 10 lbs 



Huugiiriau Grass Seed, 48 5i to X bus 



■Vlillet 48 Ji to 1 bus. 



Hemp Seed 40 1 to Ivbue. 



Buckwheat, 43 l" bue 



RyeGrass ".'.' 1 to l>i bus! 



Keutucky Blue araes 14 1 to 2 bus. 



Red Top or Herd Grass n l to 2 bus' 



Orchard Grass 14 1 to 2 bus! 



Sweet Seuted Ver. Giasa 11 6 to 10 bus. 



Bailey, 48 to 2 bus! 



Beans 60 1 to 2 bus. 



Flaxseed 66 i^ bus. 



Rape Seed 50 2 to 6 lbs. 



Wlieat 60 1'4 to 2 bus. 



Rye 56 I to 2 bus. 



Peas 60 Ihi to 2 bus. 



Tares, or Vetches 60 3 bus. 



Oats, 30 2 to 3 bus. 



Corn, sbelled 56 4 to 6 qts. 



Corn, cob, TO 



Potatoes 60 10 to 10 bus. 



Carrot Seed 2 to 3 lbs. 



Beet Seed, 4 to 6 lbs- 

 Parsnip Seed, 3 to 5 lbs. 



Onion Seed 4 to 6 lbs. 



Rutit Baga Seed, 1 to 1)^ lbs. 



Turuips, 56 1 to ])^ lbs. 



Top Oniou Sets 28 1 to 1)4 bus. 



Clover Aftergrowth. 



" What is the best course to pursue with the after- 

 growth of clover where, as in my case, there is not 

 sufHeient stock to feed it down ? If the clover is 

 allowed to seed and to stand through the winter, 

 will the crop next year he satisfactory? When the 

 clover comes in luxuriant bunches, crowding out the 

 red-top and other grasses, is it well to pass the .scythe 

 over tiiem ?" Alowing and feeding down are similar 

 in tli^iir eilect. As niueli of the clover crop consists 

 in the roots, a second mowing does not exha.'st it ; 

 and if it prevents the ripening of seed it may prove 

 a positive advantage by preventing the exhaustion of 

 maturing seed. If the land is not rich, an autumn 

 top-dressing would be well repaid by the increased 

 crop. Some excellent farmers neither mow nor feed 

 down the second crop, but allow it to fall and rot on 

 the ground in au*umn, or else mow it to prevent 

 seed forming, when it sei-ves both as manure and as 

 a niukli for the protection of the roots. It is well to 

 pass a reaper a foot over pastures, cutting the seedy 

 tops of the ripe grass, and giving the animals more 

 ready access to the green herbage below. 



Home-Made Superphosphate. 



I place side by side two old flour barrels, in one of 

 which I put whatever liones come to hand. In the- 

 other I put a bucketful of wood ashes- f'rom the' 

 house stoves, moislen them well and scattjcn a few 

 bones on top. The process is repeated as the bones- 

 and ashes are pruduced, and at the end of the year- 

 some live or six barrels are the result. The mixture 

 should be ke]it well moistened without being wet- 

 enough to allow any drainage, and in about eighteeft 

 months the small bones will liave disappeared alto- 

 gether, and the large ones will have become soft 

 enough to be easily crushed with the shovel while 

 mixing the compost. The result is a manure which 

 is far too powerful to use without mixing it with at 

 least ten times its bulk of muck, or some fertilizing 

 earth, and wliieh can then be ippbed with excellent 

 eflect, especially with turnip land. I am of the 

 opinion that it is almost, if not quite, as valuable as 

 many of the purchased superphos[>hates and the 

 plan is worth adopting if it is only to get rid of dan- 

 gerous ashes and unsightly bones. 



Golden Millet. 



The golden millet must be sown every spring after 

 the danger of frost is over, broadcast or in drills, in 

 the same manner as oats, three pecks to one bushel 

 of seed to the acre. It is a very rapid-growing grass, 

 and matures in about ten weeks time. Its yield is 

 enoriiions— often as much as five tons of hay aud one 

 hniiilred bushels ol seed to the aci-e. It takes much 

 labor to save it, aud a good force is necessary to 

 follow the machine when cutting as grain. It is 

 eagerly eaten by all stock, even hogs live and thrive 

 on it, and it is a crop of which the farmer is sure to 

 raise a fair yield every time he sows, one rain insur- 

 ing a good crop. I have seen good hay from it when 

 the season was too (loor to make hay from anything 

 cite, and I am sure that when any farmer once gels 

 into the seed he will not want to get out. It will 

 grow in almost any climute, having been successfully 

 grown iu some part of nearly every latitude from 

 Maine to Florida. — Country Gentleman. 



