188 



THE LANCASTER FARMER. 



[December, 



Mr. Landis said the grain in liis township looked 

 exceeiliuily well. The tobacco men are around, but 

 onl}- onelo't has been sold for 27, 7 and 5. 



Mr Witmer said that wheat in his section had 

 never been in tietter condition. He knew of three 

 sales of tobacco— one at 20, 8 and 3, and two at 2i, 8 



and 3 each. „. .. 



Mr J C. Linville read an essay on the cultivation 

 of wheat. [See page 182 of this number of The 



Farmek. ^ ., , ^., 



On motion of Dr. Greene the thanks of the society 

 were tendered to Mr. Linville. 



Mr Kendif; thought that perhaps the cause of Mr. 

 Linville's wheat rustinsr and liecomiiifr mildewed was 

 owin.' to the fact that it was standiufj alone. 



Dr" Greene read a short paper on the subject of 

 fertilizers advocatins; the subject be brought before 

 the society for discussion. There was much valu- 

 able matter going to waste in the streets and alleys 

 of our cities, which with proper attention could be 

 utilized as a fertilizer. He thought 10,000 loads of 

 good material for the manufacture of a fertilizer 

 could be gathered in Lancaster every year. He ad- 

 vocated the formation of a company lor the manu- 

 facture of a fertilizer. . 



Mr Linville thought the matter was certainly 

 wortliy the attention of all interested in the cultiva- 

 tion of the soil. , , , , 



Dr Greene reported that he had corresponded 

 with Mr Burpee, but that gentleman said that al- 

 though he was very busy at present, he would be 

 pleased to deliver a lecture before the society at 

 some future time. He also was in correspondence 

 with other persons, and hoped to have a, lecture m 

 this city at an early dale. 



Mr. Hunseeker, to whom the question "Can the 

 Dairy and the Tobacco Farming be carried on suc- 

 cessfully on the same farm?" had been referred, read 

 the following paper in answer : 



This is one of those questions which is much more 

 easily asked than satisfactorily answered. But as 

 the association has done me the honor ot referring it 

 to me for discussion, I will endeavor to answer it. 



The raising of diverse crops upon the same farm 

 may be a matter of taste as well as profit, and 

 whether the cultivation of tobacco and the feeding 

 of cows upon the same farm are in harmony with one 

 another or not is not of much importance to the 

 farmer so long as both branches of industry pay him 

 handsomely for his labor and expense. In our sec- 

 tion of country it is customary for farmers to grow 

 wheat, corn, "rye, oats, potatoes, turnips, beans, 

 peas, cabbage, etc., etc., as well as tobacco, and 

 pasture cows', milk them, sell the milk, butter and 

 cheese to the best advantage as well as the -other 

 products of the farms. 



The cultivation of tobacco requires a great deal ot 

 labor, and where labor is scarce and high priced, it 

 is not likely a farmer will prosecute successfully 

 dairying or tobacco growing. But it is an entirely 

 different thing where there is an abundance of labor; 

 much of the tobacco is farmed on the share, and 

 many an industrious man with his wife and children 

 grows a few acres of tobacco successfully for him- 

 self and his landlord, and the dairy in the hands of 

 the farmer dou't suffer in the least on its account. 

 Amongst our expor's, coastwise as well as foreign 

 countries, we find that the dairy as well as the to- 

 bacco rre important items. 



It was staled at the International Dairy l-air, ot 

 New York, December, 1S7S, that the combined value 

 of butter and cheese produced annually is $ ;.50,000, 

 000 more than the wheat crop of the United States! 

 These figures are seemingly fabulous, but their ac- 

 curacy is beyond doubt. 



The value of the tobacco crop in Lancaster county 

 of two or three millions of dollars annually is too en- 

 ticing to the acquisitiveness of our farmers that they 

 will not hasten to abandon it. But the probabilities 

 are that the dairy, as well as tobacco growing, will be 

 prosecuted with vigor by the praclrcal farmers of our 

 country, since so much of the wealth and prosperity 

 depend upou them. 



On motion of of Mr. Kendig a vote of thanks was 

 tendered to Mr. Hunseeker lor his essay. 



Dr. Greene argued that the two cannot be 

 carried on with good cllect on the same farm, for 

 the reason that the nicotine poison would be inhaled 

 by the cow and communicated to the butter. 



Mr. Hunseeker said he had the presumption to 

 believe that some of the gentleman's remarks were 

 purely imaginary. The people who lived in the 

 country, and who kept their cows in the same barn 

 with their tobacco, had never noticed any ehanL'e in 

 the health of the cows or that the milk was less pure. 

 Ml. Wood said in order to have good butter it is 

 very necessary to keep everything clean. 



The question"l6Close Grazing injurious to Pasture 

 Lands?" was discussed. Mr. Miller argued that it 

 was, after the grass had grown. 



Mr. Kendig said that in order to get a good crop it 

 was advisable to graze closely. This he had observed, 

 and therefore believed in close grazing to start the 

 grass . 



Mr. Landis agreed with Mr. Kendig, and thought 

 his views were correct, provided the season was not 

 too dry, and mentioned an instance where this was 

 the ease. 



Mr. Wood noticed that in a field where the grass 

 crop was formerly poor, the farmer afterwards turn- 

 ed in his sheep and they nibbled the grass close to 

 the ground, and on this occasion he had as good a 

 crop as he ever saw. 



Mr. Eby's attention having been called to an arti- 

 cle which osserted the fact that in early years 

 the State was not timbered, said that while he did 

 not believe this was the ease, he said he know for 

 certain that some sections of Lancaster county which 

 were clear of timber are now covered with forests. 

 This only applies to some small districts of the county, 

 and he thought the greater part of the land was cov- 

 ereil with timber. 



Mr. Landis corroborated the statement of .Mr. Eby 

 and mentioned the fact of his grandfather having 

 helped to clear timber in the Pequea Valley which 

 must certainly have been several centuries old. 



The question was further argued by Messrs. Hos- 

 tetter, Landis, Linville and others, and the conclu- 

 sion generally arrived at that Mr. Median, the writer 

 of the article, was entirely wrong in his assertions. 



.Vir. Cooper said he had in his possession the 

 voucher for the bounty due the society for the year 

 1878. Mr. Cooper said that in consideration of the 

 services rendered in a legal manner by Mr. S. P. Eby, 

 he would move that he be made a life member of the 

 society. The resolution was carried unanimously. 



Mr. Witmer said Mr. J. B. Lichty had rendered 

 valuable services to the society during the late fair, 

 and as he had refused pecuniary compensation, 

 thought some action should be taken by the society. 



On motion the thanks of the society were tendered 

 to Mr. Lichty for his services. 



The following questions were referred for answer : 

 '* What are the relative values of corn and wheat 

 bran as food for stock?" to J. C. Linville ; "Can 

 fruit trees be grown for their timber as well as for 

 their fruit?" to H. M. Engle; "Should fruit be 

 allowed to rot under the trees?" to Calvin Cooper; 

 " Are wind-breaks as a protection to orchards bene- 

 ficial ?" to Casper Hiller ; " What is the be'^t way to 

 restore worn out lands?" to Israel L. Landis; "Was 

 Pennsylvania covered with forests at the period of its 

 settlement by Europeans?" to A. F. Hostetter; 

 " What legislation should we have on the subject of 

 forest culture?" to Mr. Eby. 



Dr. S. S. Kathvon reported that he had received 

 $1(52.4.5 with which to pay premiums awarded at the 

 late fair, and had paid out the sum of $122.9.5, 

 leaving a balance in his hands of $39..50. 



On motion the thanks of the society were extended 

 to Dr. Kathvon for the services rendered. 



There being no further business the society on 

 motion adjourned. 



POULTRY ASSOCIATION. 



The regular monthly meeting of the Lancaster 

 County Poultry Association was held in their rooms 

 in the City Hail, on Monday morning, December 6. 



As a good many points in reference to the coming 

 exhibition next month had to be finally determined, 

 there was unusual interest manifested in the pro- 

 ceedings. 



The following members and visitors were present : 

 S. N. Warfel, Sirasburg; J. B. Lichty, city; Chas. 

 E. Long, city; C. A. Gast, city; F. R. Difl'enderft'er, 

 city; Wm. A. Schoenberger, city; H. H. Tshudy, 

 Lititz; John A. Stober, Schcencck; Frank Greist, 

 city; Ed. Brackbill, Strasburt:'; -Jacob B. Long, city; 

 J. K. Trissler, city; Ferdinand Scliacffer, city; Chas. 

 Lippold, city; H. S. Garber, Mount Joy; John E. 

 Schum, city; D M. Brosy, Maiiheim; J. B. Garnian, 

 Leacock; Dr. J. H. Mayer, Willow Street ; Willie H. 

 Amer, city; J. M. Johnston, city; Joseph F. Winner, 

 Paradise; Jacob B. Long, city; Geo. C. Liller, city. 



The meeting was called to order by the President, 

 S. N. Warfel. 



The minutes of the previous meeting were read and 

 approved. 



New Business. 



W. H. Roy and Harry Trout, of Lancaster; J. B. 

 Witmer, of Mountville, and A. B. Krider, of Salunga, 

 were proposed and elected to membership. 



Report of Rxecutive Committee. 



J. B. Liclity, on the part of the above committee, 

 reported that Mr. Colin Cameron offered his incuba- 

 tor free of eharu:e, the Society to be at the cost of 

 running the machine during the exhibition. He also 

 stated that William H. Foehl, of this city, is the in- 

 ventor of an incubator, which he will exhibit free of 

 any cost to the society, except the furnishing of the 

 GilZ^ necessary to run it. 



On motion the ofl'er of Mr. Foehl was accepted, 

 and his will be the only machine on exhibition. It 

 is saiil to be a very excellent one, with glass sides 

 and top, enabling persons to see the inner workings 

 of it without dilliculty. 



Considerable discussion arose about getting the 



required twenty-five dozen of eggs for the incubator. 



A number of members promised to furnish some, and 



it was decided to buy as many more as are required. 



Hall Rented. 



The Secretary informed the society that he had 

 secured four rooms in Roberts' building in which to 



hold the exhibition, for the sum of $60. This sum 

 includes gas, fuel and other extras. 



He likewise advised the members that he had pro- 

 cured the services of two judges for the fowls — Jesse 

 G. Darlington, of Hestonville, and John Clapp, of 

 Frankfort— and for pigeons, Charles Becker, of Balti- 

 more, has been secured. 



The Secretary also informed the society that the 

 Penn,sylvania Railroad had agreed to issue excursion 

 tickets from all points east and west. These will 

 have coupons attached, admitting the holders to the 

 show. The rates will be lower than the ordinary 

 ones, and the admission to the show be just so much 

 gained by the holders. The Reading road will also 

 issue tickets at reduced rates to exhibitors. 



The catalogue and premium lists will be ready in 

 a few days for distribution. 



A large number of special premiums have been re- 

 ceived from various quarters, including eirgs from 

 many of the best known chicken men in the country. 

 These premiums cover a large field, and must prove 

 attractive to exhibitors. 



There was some discussion about the distribution 

 of the catalogue. It was finally resolved that five 

 copies be sent to every member and that the Secre- 

 tary distribute the rest where they will do the most 

 good. 



A letter was received and read from Rev. D. C. 

 Tobias, asking that his name should be dropped from 

 the roll of m'lmbers. The request was granted by a 

 unanimous vote. 



Charles E. Long moved that a special premium of 

 $.5 be oflTered by the society for the finest pair of 

 pigeons of any variety on exhibition. Carried. 



There being no further business, the society ad- 

 journed. 



^ 



LINN.flEAN SOCIETY. 



The society met at the usual time and place on 

 Saturday, November 27, Mrs. Gibbons, president pro 

 tcia, in the chair, and Mrs. Zell, secretary pro tern; 

 five members and three visitors present. After the 

 usual opening business the following donations were 

 made to the museum and library : 



Donations to the Museum. 



1. A beautiful specimen of the " American Coot " 

 {FuHca Americana), donated by Dr. M. L. Davis, of 

 Millersville. Not a rare bird, but an exceedingly 

 tine specimen in full winter plumage. 



2. A fine adult specimen of " Muhlenberg's Tor- 

 toise," {Caieniya Muleubtrgit) donated by S. S. 

 Rathvon. This is by no means a common tortoise in 

 Lancaster county, being only the second specimen 

 obtained by the donor in a period of more than tljirty 

 years, and even for this he is indebted to Mr. Lutlier 

 Richards, who picked it up during a fishing encamp- 

 ment of the Tucquan club, at York Furnace Bridge, 

 July last. It has been kept alive all summer, but 

 through neglect during the late cold weather it froze 

 to death. 



3. An abiiDrmal specimen of HepaHcns gallus, or 

 " chicken liver," donated by .Mr. Griest of the In- 

 quirer office. This is evidently the disease gland of 

 a common fowl, and weighed 1 pound 1 ounce. For 

 furtlier particulars see TuE L.\ncaster Farmer for 

 November, 1880. 



4. A fine specimen of .S|po»9ia proh/era, donated 

 through Mr. Chas. A. Heinitsh by Mrs. Dr. Wilson. 

 This Is one of the most beautiful species of the sponge 

 family, and was found floating in the ocean near the 

 shores of New England. 



.5. A jar of beans infested by the " Bean weevil " 

 (Brnchnxfabea), donated by Mrs. Zell. Every seed 

 was infcsteil with from two to six weevil, their ger- 

 minating functions being entirely destroyed ; the 

 svorst case perhaps tlial ever came to the knowledge 

 of the society. 



6. Two specimens of " Teak wood " from British 

 Biirmah, donateil by Miss Lefever. 



Donations to the Library. 



1. Nos. 18, 19 and 20 of Patent Office Gazette from 

 the department of the interior. 



2. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences 

 from April to September, 18M). 



3. A copy of the iHteruational Review for June, 

 1880. 



4. The Lancaster Farmer for November, 1880. 

 .5. The Musical Herald for September, I85O. 



li. Three catalogues of miscellaneous books. 



7. Ten miscellaneous circulars. 



8. Three envelopes containing 33 historical and 

 biographical scraps, byS. S. Ratlivon. 



9. A quarto volume of the coast survey, froic the 

 department of the interior. 



P.-ipers Read. 



Mrs. Gibbons read an interesting paper on the 

 Aboriginal or Indian names of Pennsylvania, which 

 will be published in the Pennsylvania School Journal 



Adjourned. 



Osving to the circumstance that the annual meeting 

 will occur on Christmas, a change may be necessary, 

 of which due notice will be given. 



Through pressing secular and professional engage- 

 ments, the meeting on this occasion was small and 

 the hour late, some members only being able to 

 reach the place after adjournment. 



