The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-01-27
when the meeting adjourned till after dinner.

AFTERNOON SESSION.
Promptly at one o'clock the house was
filed as full as comfort would allow. Among
the presses represented, were the TRUE NOR
rHERSER, Vigilant, Democrat, Edrardsburg
Argus, Doaoagiac Republican, and Grange
Visitor. F. s. Kedzie was also present, TAX
ing notes of the meeting to be published in
the Agricultural report for 1882, and as all
papers and essays read will be published
therein and can be had, gratis, by any who
choose to read them, we omit their full
synopsss. The meeting was called to order
by the Secretary, who introduced the Presi
dent, r. j. Dickson. Mr.. Dickson then read
his address, which, although not polished
literary production, was remarkable for its
able and concise statement of the farmers
condition. He thought farming had been
looked upon as work of chance, but those
theories had been very successfully exploded
by enlightenment and investigative research.
The great work of life is to educate and in
form ourselves, and we can commence in
winter az well as summer, by cultivating our
selves, which is said to be the farmers best
field. Farmers have generally thought that
their place was not among the first in So
ciety, but the tilling of the soil lies at the
very foundation OF Americas wealth. He
gave the farmers hearty welcome, and
hoped they'd make themselves at home. He
also paid glowing tribute to the professors
of the Agricultural College aud acknowl-
edged on behalf of the farmers, the great
work they were doing for our State.
Erastus Osborn, of Hamilton, followed the
President with an essay on "Farm Drainage"
His experience had been with oak lands,
which are quite porous. Principal thing is
to get main drain correctly located. Can be
used as an open drain for awhile, and then
put in tile. If tile are too expensive, place
two poles in bottom and place plank or
brush over them. The best tile is flat on
bottom and should be % to feet under
surface. The reader quoted John Johnston,
the father of drainage in this country in re
gard TO- distance apart and depth of drains
Would not advise tributary drains more than
IL to Is rods from main one /; must con-
stantly guard against filling up with veget-
able products Mr.. .. thinks the time is
near, when something must be done to open
up water courses, or our roads will be ruined.
Gideon Hebron, of Porter, wanted to know
essayist's opinion of tile through quicksand.
Mr.. o. thought quicksand could be kept
out by using tarred paper around the joints.
1t is impossible to keep tile open long time,
unless it has good fall. 1 had to take up a
drain and give it a pitch of four inches TO
the rod before it would work.
M. ]. Gard, of Vollnia, wanted to know
how to use the monitor.
M. S. Thomas was called on to explain
He had had the honor of graduating, but not
of finding out the use of the monitor, having
had no experience in draining
Mr.. Gard knew they used sheet iron
something, and took it out as they worked.
Mr.. Hayne, of Pokagon, gave the defni-
ton of quicksand as taken from an old Agri-
cultural report: 1t is simply common sand
with edges worn off by action water.
Pres. Dickson described the scoop and its
use in laying tile.
Mr.. Hampton, of Glenwood, said lie had
some open drains which had rendered land
comparatively dry, which before would mre
a horse or COW. Thought backfurrowing in
narrow lands very good plan. Asked how
to prevent ditch mile long from filling
up.
Mr.. Osborn thought it would be prevented
by use of tile unless fall was insufficient. in
which case nothing would prevent it from
filling.
Mr.. Hampton said it had plenty of fall,
and thought no one but village corporations
had power to make water run up hill. Thinks
bitches through swails between hills, will do
no good, as the water is constantly percolat-
ing through ground, thus keeping the low
land wet.
Chas. +. Howe, of Berrien county, was
called on, but had had no experience in
drainage.
Mr.. Thompson explained use of engine
ashes in drains, and said that by lowering a
drain he had noted marked increase in
crops.
Mr.. Osborn said that John Johnston, by
lowering drain from 21s to feet, had in
creased his crops four-fold.
II. j. Dickson wanted to know what was
meant 10y "Indian ashes," and was informed
by Mr.. Thompson that it is Stag or dross