Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-03-07
SAUK COUNTY FARMERS.
The Horticultural and Agricultural
Societies Meet Jointly AT BarabOO-
q Papers Eull OF Interest and Value
Read to g1le Convention

The horticultural and Agricultural
Societies Meet Jointly at BarabOO-
Papers Full Of Interest and Value
Head To Ehe Convention
The Sank County Agricultural and
horticultural Societies met jointly at
Baraboo, on the 9th ult. Papers upon
the subjects of the Fright Method of
Raising Calves" and Insects Injurious
and Beneficial to the Farmer and Horti-
culturist" we're read and discussed. A
paper on "Our Schools, Our Teachers
and Ourselves" attracted much atten-
ton. "What Science Has Done for the
Farmer" paper by A. F. Lawton, of
Winfield, formed the basis of lengthy
discussion upon the subject of scientific
VS.. practical farming. Mr.. Lawton
thought that all the science farmers
needed was knowledge of how to do
things correctly, and the way to obtain
such science was by experience and OBJ
servation, coupled with hard labor and
reflection. He then compared the scien-
tific farm at Madison with the poor farm
in Sank County, and declared that while
he did not desire to deprecate science,
he considered the results obtained at the
latter were equal to those of the former.
Prof. Henry, Of Madison, spoke in the
same strain, stating that in his Judgment
science had done but little for the farmer
as yet, but he thought its benefits would
become apparent by and by. "A paper
on horticulture in general was read by
Chas. Herringer. Mr.. Kellogg, of James
vile, paid his compliments to "That
Wonderful Strawberry" in an interest
ing essay.
On the 9th J. w. Morley, of Excel
sior, read an instructive paper on
"Honey and Its Production" He pro-
nounced the Baraboo Valley peculiarly
adapted to the honey business. Prof.
Swenson was on the programme for a
paper on "Cane Syrup and Sugar in
Wisconsin,, but in his unavoidable alb
sence Prof. Henry filled the breach by
Gin entertaining talk on the sugar sub
iect. The professor gave a detailed ac-
count of the manner of production and
the cost, and showed the value Of cane
seed as feed for hogs. Hesaid he hoped
soon to be able to show it's value as food
for horses. A general discussion was
then entered into on the subject of the
corn crop, Prof Henry and number of
gentlemen present holding that the
present was the best time to procure
seed corn, instead Of waiting until plant
ing time, when farmers might be caught
with bad corn on their hands. As to
the question of variety, the "Dent"
seemed to have the preference. The
subject of the potato was then dis
cussed at length, as to the best variety
for farmers to raise for themselves and
the market, but no especial decision was
arrived at, all the principal varieties
finding champions. "The Best Variety
of Oats elected an interesting exchange
of opinion, the "white Russian" and
"golden oat" being advocated by gen.
tlemen present, the former because of
its heavy straw and yield of extra grain,
and the latter because of it being less
liable to rust. The subject of butter
making was ably handled by f. @. Cur
tbs, of Rocky Run. He held that butter
made from the milk of COWS that were
falling off in flesh was much inferior to
that made from the milk of animals in
perfectly healthy condition. The alb
sorbing nature of butter, he said, made
it susceptible to every unpleasant odor
If left free to the atmosphere, and thus
from & superior it quickly deteriorated
into an inferior article For this reason
he always sent his produce by express.
Grapes and apples received share of
attention. On the subject "What Shall
Farmers Do to Improve Their Stock, !"
Prof Henry addressed the convention,
advocating the introduction of full
blooded ANIMALS. A spirited discussion
was had on the "Jersey," "Holstein" "
and "Shorthorn, all having their advo-
Gates.
The following officers were elected for
the ensuing year:
President-J. M. True, Baraboo.
First Vace PTesidert-J. w. Wood, Baraboo.
Second Wee 'PreSident-Amos Coddington,
Winfield.
Secret01y-A. D. McGilora, Baraboo.
TredSurer-G. c. Grism. Sumpter.
It was decided to hold the I ext county
fair during the fourth week in Septemb Der.