The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1883-02-23
UNDER DEFINING.

The regular monthly meeting of the Bris
toll and Paris Farmers Club occurred on Wed
nesday, the 14th inst, afternoon and even,
ing, al the residence of Mr.. Abram Guile
The attendance WAS large and an exceeding.
ly pleasant time was had. The large parlors
of this house are somewhat commensurate
with the large hospitality OF the host and
hostess. The large dining room was twice
filled with guests. who did full justice to the
bountiful preparation made by Mrs. Guile
and her daughter, Miss Lena.
After supper, the meeting was called to
order by Mr.. Fl. a. Newbury, and Mr.. Henry
Blackman was chosen chairman. The first
thing on the programme was the reading of
selection by Mrs. Henry Blackman. The
lady's clear voice and deliberate and dis
tinet utterance enabled her to be heard in all
parts Of the parlors. The drift of the arti-
Gle read was to show the importance of
proper rest and recreation for farmers
wives, and that time be taken for reading
and thought. Mrs. 4. f. Roberts was
chosen TO read selection at the next meet
ing.
After the reading. the chairman an.
nounced the question for discussion for the
evening to be Under-D Draining. AS not
single member had any practical knowledge
OF the subject. every one had to take the in
qulrer' seat. As an opening to the dis
cusslon, Mr.. R. F. Roberts read from Geo.
Z. Warnings book on Draining an article
showing how understanding produced that
meilowness Of soil necessary to allow the
roots of plants to penetrate in search of
food and another article showing how the
temperature Of the soil was reduced by
evaporation, and how if the soakage water
were removed by under draining, its tenn
perature would be increased by the falling
and penetration of rains of a higher
temperature than the son.
MIR. Davy, of Kenosha, who has practi
cal experience of forty years in draining in
England, was present by invitation, and was
invited by the chairman to take the floor
The gentleman said he was worker and
not talker, but would be glad to give any
information he could and would answer any
questions that might be asked. The best
land in England had been vastly improved
BY under draining and its rent value greatly
increased; while waste lands had been
brought to high rental value by under
draining He kne% of lands which used to
rent at two dollars per acre, yearly. The
history he gave Of how draining was uni
versally inaugurated in England was curious
and interesting.
The English government advanced the
money TO owners of land who were to paw
the government 81 per cent, yearly for
thirty-three years, which cancelled the whole
debt; (rnoney there on good security bear
ing but two to three per cent annual in.
terest.)
The effect of draining in increasing the
crops was so great that the land owners
made the farmers not only pay the cost of
draining but largely increased rental per
acre. The land owners in England are the |
titled nobility. whose incomes are the rents. |
Farmers are class Of gentry, who rent the |
land and hire all the labor on the farm, in.
Guiding overseers and stewards.)
The cost of the tile and land here ia
double what it is in England. Thorough |
draining. which is considered to be drains
four feet deep and thirty feet apart, would
cost about 500 per acre. Farmers can com.
mence by draining says and runs in plowe1
lots which are nearly unproductive and are
mnch in the way of blowing, cultivating and
other farm operations. The demand for
draining tile was made apparent by the fact
that 1t was almost impossible to secure them
BY those at distance from the factories
Orders were months in being filled.
Mr.. Perkins Torrey said it had been esti-
mated that it would require 1900 large
hundred years to supply |
tile to unierdrain the state of Illinois. |
There is growing demand in Kenosha coun
ty. Near Kenosha there is excellent clay
for making tile, and large profits can be
made in their manufacture 1t seems as |
though some one would be wise enough to |
use the opportunity to make money. A |
clay mine may be made to yield surer profits
than nine tenths of the gold mines.
The topic chosen for discussion at the next |
meeting is the breeding and management of |
sheep. R.F.R.