The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-09-09
WHOLE NO. 1881.
FARMERS ASSOCIATION MEETING.

FARMERS ASSOCIATION MEETING.
The September meeting was held at the
residence of +. p. Mills, on the afternoon of
Thursday last The members arriving in
season for an early dinner, that the whole
afternoon might be employed with the sever
al duties of the association.
In the absence of Mr.. Bale, the President,
S. G. McEntee, the Vice President, called the
meeting in the front yard soon after the
dinner hour. Chairs were placed in large
circle on the lawn i'll the shade; the LADIES'
occupying the spacious porch, and all listened
attentively to the paper by ID. Woodman on
"The lessons of the year and what they
teach u.s. The paper covered the ground
on several important points of interest TO
farmers. and touched upon the more univer-
sal subjects of interest to all. II was paper
which 10 brief synopsis can 90 justice To. IL
was the basis of an interesting discussion,
participated in by ladies' as well as gentle
men.
The discussion led by A. C. Glidden. ON
the topic of "The farmers relation to politi-
cal parties. stirred somewhat the dormant
political energies of the members, and drove
the ladies out to view the premises. 1t was
fully appreciated by the members that the
farmer was not naturally a politician--he
had enough business of his own to demand
all his attention, but that our duties TO so
ciety and TO good government, demanded
that we vote conscientiously and independ-
emily, supporting only men of principle, aud
measures of reform.
The tramp over the farm, led by Mr.. Mills,
was an interesting one. His farm consists
of IA acres, with 20-acre grove OF splendid
oak timber in the center This farm il di-
vided into seven fields of unequal size, rang
ing from Is 10 40 acres. We first passed
into field Of 20 acres that had been planted
| three times to corn, then sown to wheat and
! seeded, ard now crop of 40 bushels of
clover seed lad just been threshed from it.
The fields are all extremely level, and are
kept smooth by careful cultivation. Mr..
Mills is preparing 30 acres in one field for
wheat--ten acres had been planted to beans
which were harvested. and the field ready 10
plow. The spring seeding on the farm was
making plucky fight with the drouth, with
the chances against the cover-some of il
had already dried up and turned down. The
question of sowing in more seed and harrow
ing in, was discussed, with the sentiment
that the growth already occupying the
ground, would choke the young plants and
sleeping 1t another year and then summer
fallow, was considered best, as the land was
in good heart and would stand some strain.
Mr.. Mills asked the opinion Of farmers
present, as TO the advisability Of building a
wire and picket fence along the read. con-
tinuing up TO near the house The general
sentiment was, that while it was very good
fence for lanes and line fences, il soon be-
came unsightly and was 40 ornament 70
roadside, unless it could be kept from sag
ging between the posts, which seemed doubt
full. This led 10 general discussion of the
various kinds of wire fence. The experience
of all who had tried il was short. and no one
seemed inclined to give advice. The orchard,
stock and buildings were examined in detail,
and all seemed convinced that Mr.. Mills
reputation as a successful farmer, had not
been over-estimated. His sheep showed care
in selecting, his cattle good breeding. his
horses and colts were all of good size and
form, his strawstack ample. and his granaries
were full
The day closed upon one of the most en-
ioyable meetings of the association, and will
long be remembered by its members.
The next meeting will be held with Mr..
and Mrs. n. II. Bangs, on the first Thursday
in December next. The programme is not
yet arranged. but will be published with the
notice of the meeting.
A. c. GLIDDEN. Secretary.