MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, HELD IN THE COURT HOUSE AT GETTYSBURG, PA., MAY 23, 1902.

Wednesday, May 28, 1902, 1.30 P. M.

The Board was called to order at 1.30 P. M., Vice President Joel A. Herr in the chair. The roll of members was then called, and the following persons answered to their names: Messrs. Young, Temple, Weidner, Burns, Blyholder, Lutz, W. C., McGowan, Howard, Woodward, Conard, McClellan, Nelson, Herr, White, Barber, Hantz, Hege, Northup, Brosius, McCreary, Snavely, Kahler, Williams, Notestine, Sexton, Murray, Beck, Eschbach, Holman, Stout, Brodhead, Field, Glover, Weld, Pry, Clark, Knuppenburg, Koller, Campbell, and the Secretary.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

The following persons were appointed by the chair as a Committee on Credentials: Messrs. Clark, Howard, Sexton, Burns and Blyholder.

On motion, Hon. J. O. Thompson, Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture of West Virginia, and the Hon. Thos. J. Edge, ex-Secretary of Agriculture of Pennsylvania, were invited to sit as advisory members.

W. F. Dill, Esq., of Gettysburg, as the representative of the mayor, was then introduced and delivered the address of welcome, to which Vice President Herr responded.

The Hon. J. O. Thompson, upon invitation, then addressed the Board.

The Committee on Credentials reported that R. F. Schwarz, of Monroe county, and J. K. Bird, of Sullivan county, had presented credentials of election to membership in the Board; the membership of Mr. Schwarz to terminate in 1905, and that of Mr. Bird in 1906.

On motion, these gentlemen were admitted to membership, with the understanding that the term of Mr. Bird is to take effect January, 1903.

On motion, the following persons were admitted to the privileges of the floor: Samuel Ebert, Loysville, Pa., representing the Perry County Agricultural Society, and James Q. Atkinson, Three Tuns, Montgomery county, representing the Horsham Farmers Club.

The Secretary then addressed the Board upon the subject of our "Public Roads and Rural Schools," which was followed with discussion by Messrs. Howard, Herr and Campbell.

F. E. Field, member from Tioga, then addressed the Board upon "Carrying Freight by Trolley Roads." Mr. Stout presented the following resolution:

"Resolved, That the Legislative Committee of this Board be instructed to draw up a bill to be presented to the next legislature, embodying a provision empowering trolley roads to carry merchandise and freight of all kinds within this State."

After discussion by Messrs. Billings, Sexton, Brodhead, McCreary, Peck, Howard, Blyholder, Pearson, Barber, Clark. Demming, Seeds, Temple, Thompson and Lutz, the resolution was adopted.

Dr. Conard presented the following resolutions, which were adopted:

"Whereas, In the readjustment of conditions governing beef production, it may again become possible for the Pennsylvania farmer to compete in this field, and

"Whereas, It is most desirable that beef production in the east shall be encouraged, so that an additional source of agricultural income may be provided and so that the public may be rescued from the grasp of the avaricious combination now attempting to monopolize the trade in dressed beef, be it

"Resolved, That for the encouragement of local producers of beef, and for the establishment of more effective competition against the western producers who seek to control the markets, consumers are recommended to demand and to purchase home dressed meats. Be it further

"Resolved, That we approve of the effort now being made by the Philadelphia Live Stock Association to encourage the production and use of Pennsylvania fed cattle."

Adjourned sine die.

JOHN HAMILTON,

Secretary.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, HELD AT HARRISBURG, PA., JANUARY 22 AND 23, 1902.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FERTILIZERS.

BV MATTHEW RODGERS, Chairman.

If the farmers of the State of Pennsylvania could all realize that they are partners with the soil, to cultivate and grow the different crops of cereals, vegetables, etc., and then be honest with their partner-the soil-and return to it a just and equitable share that would be due it, there would be less demand for commercial fertilizers, and reports of the same.

In presenting my report on commercial or manufactured fertilizers, let me go back to the period when it was first used in my own county, about the year 1851 or 1852, by Samuel M. Adams, and exSheriff David McKinstry. They were both very intelligent men and great readers. They conceived the idea of making or manufac turing fertilizers for their own use from bones that were plenty in those days, as the gypsy bone gatherer had not been there. I gathered bones for one of them myself. Mr. McKinstry broke the bones up fine, and then used strong acid and dissolved them with this acid, and mixed the solution with sand, ashes and fine dirt, to get it in condition to sow broadcast on the soil to grow wheat. Mr. McKinstry being a very near neighbor, I can remember very distinctly of him showing my father how it had increased his wheat crop, and saying to him, "John, the time is coming when a fertilizer, something like mine, will be used all over our country." He would secure large

Mr. Adams made his fertilizer different. hogsheads that were used in those days for shipping molasses, take one head out, then place a layer of unleached ashes, and a layer of bones, until the hogshead was filled, let all stand in the weather from four to six months, getting all the rain that fell, and by the time the ashes had dissolved the bones, he would mix it thoroughly, and apply to his corn, putting it on the hill about the time the young plant was starting to grow, and it made a very marked difference in the growth of the corn, when used.

Allen & Needels, of Philadelphia, were then importing Peruvian

Guano, and a few farmers purchased some of this material and applied it broadcast on the soil; but it was not in the fine condition that the fertilizers of to-day are, but was lumpy, and had to be pulverized, not by steam-power as is done now, but by man-power.

There being but few grain drills at that time, both the wheat and guano were sown broadcast. The results were very satisfactory, and paid the men who went on the principle that he soil must be fed. Good wheat and grass crops followed, but the temptation to reinove the grass crop was too great, and consequently the vegetable matter which would have proved a rejuvinator for the land, was removed from it. Indeed, farmers of to day seem to be working on the same principle. This guano cost sixty dollars a ton.

Following this new departure in agriculture, another and cheaper fertilizer found its way into the hands of a few of our farmers, and was called "Super-phosphate." No attention was paid to analysis then, neither did the farmers think is necessary. To them it would have been a foreign subject. The use of fertilizers grew into disuse until the year 1879, when a farmer in the western end of the county, who had been reading farm papers, induced one of his fellow farmers to join him and they bought two and one half tons, costing at the railroad station forty two dollars per ton. The neighbors said they were fools, but when the harvest came the laugh and smiles were on the farmers' faces. The results were so remarkable that others joined the procession, and with the exception of a chance year up to this time, the use of fertilizers have been on the increase.

The year 1901 exceeds any former year in our county in the sale and use of fertilizers; and I find by inquiry, and correspondence, that what is true of little Juniata, is true of very many counties in the State of Pennsylvania. The fertilizer trade during the past year has been one of unprecedented success. I find through the members of my committee and from correspondents in the State, that the farmers of old Pennsylvania are beginning to realize, more and more, as the years pass by, the importance of using these commercial fertilizers, and the desire is becoming stronger and more apparent that we must raise heavier crops than we have heretofore done. The prejudice that many had against the use of commercial fertilizers heretofore is giving way, and every year finds many using fertilizers on their farms, who formerly were opposed to their use, in any form. That land will become exhausted in using fertilizers continually, year after year, is a notion that many farmers maintained, who now acknowledge its great benefits, as they observe the abundant crops of wheat, corn, oats and grass raised by its judicious and liberal application.

It is noticeable also, that farmers are becoming educated to a

better understanding in the use of and purchasing of fertilizers, intelligently, they realize that they have to post themselves as to the character and composition of the fertilizer best adapted to their particular crops, or else pay the "penalty, which generally follows ignorance." Many farmers are now getting the various Experiment Station Bulletins, and are becoming enlightened on the subject which renders them familiar with the kinds and forms of plant food. It tends to reveal to them the mystery which is concealed in the make-up of fertilizers. It teaches them to think of pounds of nitrogen, available phosphoric acid and actual potash, instead of tons of phosphate regardless of its analysis and the actual plant food that it contains. Many farmers are buying now on the basis of getting the largest amount of plant food for one dollar. The demand seems to be for more potash; in this I am inclined to believe they are right. The ashes from the brush pile or log heap, that I referred to in my last report, has been the most conclusive evidence that crops will use more potash than is generally found in the soils to-day.

Farmers should study the condition and needs of his soil, as no one is supposed to know these conditions better than himself. Do not leave the diagnosis and the prescription or antidote entirely to the agent who wants to sell to you; you are the guardian of your soil, and should have some judgment to put up in the transaction. Notwithstanding all the assistance that the bulletins, State reports and agricultural papers are giving, farmers are still imposed upon; for example, we found that the same brand of fertilizer manufactured by the same firm, with the same analysis, sold in Berks county at one point for $17.50 per ton, in Lehigh county for $23.00, and in Northampton county for $25.00 per ton. Farmers who figure, and we must figure, are the ones who get close to the manufacturer, and can not be foiled into excessive profits or high prices. Paying cash for fertilizer, is an economical feature to be much praised. Fertilizer manufacturers are anxious to make cash sales, and will always quote goods way down when cash is offered. We find a tendency of many farmers to use a complete fertilizer, one that contains the three essential elements, nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid. There can not be the slightest error made by one who uses a complete fertilizer, (provided they have the proper proportion to suit his needs). The land is as certain to become fertile, as an animal is to thrive and fatten, that is fed plenty of corn, oats and hay. Much nowadays is said about "balanced rations," for dairy cows, chickens, etc., and it is just as necessary to feed the land a balanced ration as animals.

Farmers do not use the fertilizer with a sufficiently liberal hand. When barn-yard manure is applied to the land there is used, on an 3-7-1902