River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-02-15
MADISON. FEB 10. /

MADISON, FEB 10, 1888.
The joint convention OF the State Agricul-
tural and Horticultural Societies, was held
here this week.
There was fine display of fruit in one OF
the rooms in the basement OF the Capitol
The large variety Of winter apples and their
fine appearance was surprise to all; Pierce
County was represented by several choice
seedlings, brought by G. w. Cairns. of Ellis
worth.
The lengthy program extending through
four days was fully carried out and well sus-
tanned Most of the papers provoked live
ly discussion and brought out the different
views of the members present.
paper by the Hon. Matt. Anderson in ia
vor Of high Protective Tariff led to lively
discussion. Mr.. Anderson ably supported
his side by statistics and facts. He was OPP
posed by the Hon. L c. Sloan OF Madison
and Prot Parkinson OF the University.
Wednesday evening owing to lack of room
for the large attendance present, the meet
ing adjourned to the Assembly Chamber,
which was placed at their disposal The
farmers made haste to scatter themselves
through the Chamber and whether it was
the associations OF the place or the general
interest of the papers, the evening was the
most interesting and lively one OF the con-
ventiOn.
The Hon "A. A. Arnold, of Galesvile, read
paper ON "Labor Prerequisite to Mental
Development"
In the discussion that followed, the de-
bates for and against higher education, were
very spirited. Prof. w. ]. Beale of the Lam
sing Agricultural College made some very
interesting remarks upon the desirability of
combining manual labor with intellectual in
struction.
Prot King read an instructive paper on
''The Industrial Relations of Our Birds He
gave some curious statistics as to the num-
Der OF birds in Wis. and their value to the
farmer. The Prof. estimated that we have
with us through the summer about 3,000,O 900
birds, each of which destroys upwards of
5000 insects, or as he illustrated it, the birds
destroy annually number Of noxious insects
equal to an army reaching from Madison to
Milwaukee and IS rods wide. The value of
the birds to the farmers was inestimable and
they should be protected by all means in
his power. Their greatest enemies are cats,
snakes, squirrels and small boys. The Prot.
advised reduction of the three former, and
a more careful supervision of the actions Of
the latter.
On Thursday there was general discus
sion of the Ensilage question. Prof. Henry
OF the University Farm, gave his experience
with ensilage. He was satisfied that there
was some benefit to be derived from it. His
silo had cost but fifteen dollars. Other
farmers gave their experience. 1t seemed to
be the general opinion OF the convention
that further experiments should be tried
before any definite recommendation was
adopted.
Perhaps one OF the most generally inter-
esting sessions was held Friday afternoon,
when the relation of the University Farm
and the University was discussed. The
University was represented by Pres. Bascom,
Prof's Henry, Parkinson and Daniels.
Many farmers present seemed to feel that
the agricultural interests were neglected at
the University and the study Of agriculture
discouraged there. Pres. Bsscom showed
that the Agricultural Department was de-
irving the benefit from considerably more
than the amount due it from the Agricultur-
al Fund He was strongly opposed TO
to adopting any resolution favoring separa-
ton OF the Farm and University, as it would
greatly weaken the usefulness OF the latter,
and cause large increase in expenditure
to maintain both institutions.
As whole the meetings have been both
entertaining and instructive, and the inter-
est manifested showed that our farmers are
alive to support the best interests OF their
profession. Z.