The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-01-21
TEE FgR.BERS' EN;sTIITTE.
DECATUR, January 10. 1876.

DECATUR, January 10, 1870.
OF the six Farmers Institutes, arranged by
the State Board OF Agriculture, one was held
here on the 18th and l4th insts. 1t was pre-
sided over by Hon. A. b. Copley, OF this place,
and was attended by some 800 OF tue most IN
telhgent and substantial farmers in Cass, Van
Buren,, aud adjacent counties. Nearly one
fourth OF the audience was made no OF ladies
who look lively interest in the matters under
discussion. The hospitality Of Decatur was
well tested yet proved itself adequate TO the
occasion. The institute showed the wisdom Of
the State Board OF Agriculture IN bringing the
inquiring and practical farmers of the State and
the professors of the State Agricultural College
in council to discuss the matters in which in
telligent and progressive farmers have deep
interest
The first session held was occupied chiefly by
Prof A. =. Cook. whe ectured on the insects
most destructive to the grains and fruits Of the
farmer, an able lecture Of great practical value.
Following this was a lecture on the ways farm
ers can best use their surplus capital, in which
b. Hathaway, Of Prairie Ronde, gave thoughts
worthy of serious consideration.
At the next session Prof. Il. c, Kedzie treated
OF mack, what In it was OF no use, what was OF
great value, and how it was to be put to USE
Mr.. Osborn talked on the reclamation OF swamp
lands, Mr.. Il. S. Rogers on the culture OF
cranberries and Prof. Kedzie gave practca
talk TO such as wanted lightning rods, showing
how'they could make and put up their own at a
cost varying from one-ffth to one-tenth OF the
| Il. L.. -
and securing at the same time better rod
Il. G. Carpenter, instructor in the Agricultural
College, gave lecture, with illustrations, on
the machinery to be used on farm. This led
to debate and comparison Of views. Papers
we're read on wheat culture by John Baker, OF
Keller on corn culture by Arthur Hayden, of
Hamilton; on fruit culture by Geo. Bartholo-
NEW; on sheep and swine culture by A. II
Williams; on aid and inducements to better
farming by DR.. N. ID. Thoma. Prof. Fairchild
gave quickening lecture on Education, who
need it and can afford it,"
From the question drawer came pertinent
inquiries to the lecturers and readers Of papers
These questions showed keen discernment, anC
were met with sharp and satisfactory rephes,-
SO many were the topics OF practical interes
taat all wanted twice as much ume to be giver
to the institute. II the State Agricultural Col
lege only gave intelligent and practical answers
to the questions which do and will arse amons
the progressive farmers of this State furnish
solution to the many and difficult problems
constantly arising put farmers to a ready USE
or the advantages within their reach, show
| them how losses and cheats are to be guarded
against, the college woul- abundantly pay al
its cost, even many times yer. Through sucl
institutes the scientific experiments made al
great cost OF study, Time, labor and money, al
the college, can be available to the farmers who
80 greedIly least their minds at these meetings
These farmers want scientific experiments be-
cause they find that nature ID yery careful anc
exact IN being rigldly scientitc.-Cor. Detroit
Tribune.