The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1878-02-19
FARMERS INSTITUTE.
HIllSDALE COUNTY FARMERS
IN COUNCIL.
TWO DAYS INTERESTING
SESSION.


ADDRESSES, EssAYS, sc.
The Farmers Institute held in Or
woods Opera House on Wednesda
and Thursday OF last week. was a com
plete success and demonstrated tn
fact quite clearly, that it was not abso
lutely necessary that every Farmers In
stitute, in order to be n success. shoul'
be conducted by the faculty Of tn
Agricultural College. This one wa
held by the Agricultural Society o
Hillsdale County. and although tn,
first held under its auspices. it ever
surpassed the one held here last yea
under the State system.
At about eleven O'Clock in the fore
noon Of Wednesday, President Hewitt
called the meeting to order. and aftel
the greeting song, prayer was offered
by Rev. w. W. Raymond. The choil
sang "Music and Song" when Secre
tary Holloway introduced to the audi
ence the Hon. Alexander Hewitt, Pres.
idsnt OF the Agricultural Society. who
read the following
opening Address
LADIES AND GEsrLRMKs:-we have
come together to-day to learn aud to
teach some Of the things we need to
know. to successfully carry on our bus
mess as practical farmers. We have
come under the direction OF the Board
of Directors of the Hillsdale County
Agricultural Society. who are unani-
nous in recommending Farmers IN.
stitute ut this time and place, for the
mutual good Of those who may seek
its benefits.
The idea OF establishing series OF
Farmers Institutes in this State origi-
mated with the faculty OF the State
Agricultural College over two year,
since, to be carried forward under the
auspices OF the State Board Of Agri-
culture. The object OF which was to
hiring the farmers of this State to
realization OF the fact that We have il
our midst q school devoted 10 the in
terests OF agriculture, and IL possible
10 bring about better state OF feeling
and a more harmonious action in order
that all parties concerned might be
mutually benefited. Judging from
the reports of the larbor in that direc.
ton for the lat two years, the move
msnt has proved n success. We live
in an age of improvement; science is
rapidly advancing; old theories are
giving way under the light Of scientific
achievements. New inventions OF real
worth in labor-saving machinery are
fast taking the place OF the old hand
labor system. The wooden mold.
board plow, the hand-sickle, the fail
and threshing-hoor which once were
used in cultivating, harvesting and
threshing the grain, the hand-cards
used in making tow and wool into rolls
for the spinning wheel, are things that
will not be called for under the combi-
nations OF mechanical skill at the pres
snt day, Education, discipline, ad-
vancement, are the order Of the times.
Education in theory. IN practice, and
in everything that tends TO enlishteD
and 10 elevate the mind and TO bring
il into a position 10 grasp and hold OF
10 the great truths OF nature a. demon
strated by scientific investigation. Our
State and nation have recognized this
great need and have made wise provis-
ION for il by providing material aid for
its support. as evidenced in our system
of free schools, in our colleges, and IN
our university. There are numerous
sources from which we may receive in.
struction, as from social gatherings ai
which we can compare notes relative O.
our failures or success in any expert
mental undertaking; in talking over
the easiest, the best, aud the most
profitable way TO accomplish the labor
connected with some OF the depart
ments OF our calling. and OF the mer
its Of improved stock when compared
with inferior kinds. Also from the
perusal OF books and papers treating
upon the subject OF scientific and prac
tical farming. Every cultivator OF the
soil should take and read, at least one
paper devoted to the interest OF his
business. He fails TO promote the vel
fare OF himself and family, il he neg
lects this opportunity to gain informs.
ton. We have weekly journal de-
voted 10 the interests Of agriculture
published in our own State, and edited
BY man Of long experience and prac-
teal understanding, and at compars-
lively cheap rate. Its market reportS
alone are worth more than its cost
am not In favor of increasing the
amount Of current reading matter II
the country, but rather OF diminishing
il. We need less printed words viii
more correct ideas conveyed. We need
more of tact aud less Of fiction. The
world has an abundance OF truth or
which the human mind can dwell with
ont running OF into fictitious and i'm.
aginary speculations. II is far better
for us 10 study and labor 10 obtain p
knowledge OF the great truths 90 close
ly connected with our success in the
pursuit OF our calling. The agricultu.
raj interests OF our country demand al
the hands OF those engaged in this
great work better understanding oi
the principles upon which 1t is based.
We are in possession OF the facilities
for acquiring this knowledge; and
should use them 20 advantage.
According to the census returns oi
1874 there are in this county 4,055
farms averaging 7si acres each. BY q
little calculation we learn that the av
erage yield Of these farms Of some oi
the staple articles for the year preced
ing was as follows: OF wheat, III
bushels; Of wool, 76 pounds; of but
ter, $40 pounds; and other products il
sbout the same proportion. Subse
auent years would probably show
similar result. Now We are ready I,
say at once, these quantities can be anC
ought to be greatly augmented. Tn,
subject oi increasing our products by
the application Of fertilizers and bet
ter cultivation as well as the rotation o.
crops, the improvements in good but
ter making, the kinds Of stock mos
profitable 20 keep. and the manner o
treating our orchards, and marketing
our fruits, ell tend 20 show how thii
increase can be- brought about, anC
will be discussed in their regular orde
under tue provisions Of ourprogramme
Mich Of the financial embarrassment
so common in our midst, and that is .,
readily attributed 20 the times NIGH
have been avoided, had we understood
more thoroughly the relation Of caus,
and effect connected with our labo
and business transactions. We are be
oDming too much addicted to the us,
Of the phrase "hard times" and max.
70 an excuse for the failures that ar,
attributable TO our own neglect OF mis-
management. We are too much in
clined 20 look away 10 the politica
world, or TO the law making power, 10
the causes of Our difficulties, when IL