The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-12-10

Is ODngeu 10 c0nuenSe ltS report lhr
more than it otherwise would, but in
next issue the papers read by Mrs. Rob-
ert L. Fuller and Mr.. James McBrom
will be published in full, which fact will
atone in measure for the abreviation
forced upon us at tins time.
The convention was called TO order by
Mr.. VIM. Plymat, chairman, who said he
was gratitied ut seeing 80 many farmers
present for social intercourse. He be-
lieved in meetings of this kind, because
on the prosperity of the farmers depend
ed the prosperity of Mapleton. He wac
also glad to see 30 many of the wives of
farmers present, and believed in the
adage, "the hand that rocks the cradle
rocks the world" In the rural homes
rests the safety of this government.
The chairman, at the conclusion of his
remarks, introduced Hon. M. ]. Sever
ance, who addressed the convention in
a most interesting manner on the subject
of Agriculture. AS our reporter had
hoped to secure the judges speech in
manuscript form he failed to record q
synopsis of his remarks, hence no por-
ton of the subject matter will be at
tempted IN this connection, trusting as
we do that we may be able to give his
speech in full. 1t is proper to say in
tins connection, however, that the Judge
left an impression by his good, whole
some advise, which will not be forgotten
by the farmers who were 80 fortunate as
to listen to him.
After the Judge had concluded, Mr..
McBroom was introduced. but as his pa
per will be published in full next week,
we prefer to make no extracts from it in
this issue.
Fridays session was much better at
tended than the first day, and large
number of papers were read and discuss
ed. Rev. Mr.. Pratt read most inter
esting paper, as 80 also did Mrs. VIM.
Plymat.
Mr.. Joseph Dobie, of Sterling, pre-
sented some interesting points, and
among other things said:
believe every farmer should keep an
account 30 as to know how he stands at
the end of the year. Speaking of the
nutritive value of hay, l believe that
clover hay is better than wild hay and
grain. Every farmer should keep a good
breed of stock. wish i could make
these words ring in the
ears of every farmer that "the sire is
half of breed" Besides having a good
breed a farmer should have good shelter,
and when farmer has good stock it is q
pleasure to take care of them.
Mrs. Fuller, who was next introduced,
read a splendid paper, and as above
stated, it will be published in full next
week.
Mr.. Jacob read an essay on farming.
81 believe" said he, "there is danger of
have few cows and keep them well
than to have too many and not give them
the proper care. Would urge the keep
ing of the dairy in good clean condi-
ton"
Mr.. Argetsinger said he sometimes
believed the lot of the Minnesotians was
hard one. Perhaps it was. But if you
compare it with your fellow-farmer down
in New York you might think yourselves
pretty well off after all. Mr.. Argetsing-
er compared by figures the value of
products on seven acres in New York
and in Minnesota. He had come out
thirty-six dollars ahead. While the New
York farmer raised his crop on land
worth one hundred dollars an acre, the
Minnesota farmer had raised his on land
worth from ten to twenty dollars an
acre.
Mr.. +. Davis said: I had intended to
speak on "what did not know about
farming" but thought it would take too
much time. There are two things do
not like about farming-one is working
between meals, the other working week
days. Mr.. Davis gave some good advise
to young men. He thought If young
man did not want to farm the world
could get along just as well without him.
If he intended TO be Jay Gould, stifle
his conscience and go ahead.
Mr.. Arnold, Of Mankato, made a good
speech in favor of drain tile, after which
a discussion took place, in which almost
every one joined.
EVENING SESSION.
The evening session was largely at
tended, and the meeting proved very
interesting.
Mr.. Hollenbeck spoke on the profits
of hog culture, giving some good figures
showing that he had made q good profit
On thlrty-one acres of land he had rails.
ed three hundred dollars worth of pork
besides fed one span of mules and one
hundred fowls, saying nothing about
the better condition the ground would
be in after raising a corn crop.
Song by Miss Flora Hanna, "The Cows
are in the Corn"
DIR. Bishop said: 81 have lived in
Mapleton for the last ten years, and dur
ing that time there has been great prog
ress in Mapleton and vicinity. Ibelievt
the farmers are getting at their subjec
as they should. believe every farmer
should know the nutritive value of every
product raised on his farm, and can dc
so by sending to some chemist and have
them analysed, so when one kind o.
food gives out we could supply it by 6
proper amount of other food. We should
not feed on any one kind of food toe
long. Experiments on animals shut UP
for a time have been made, which have
proved fatal to them. The Doctors
knowledge of the nutritive value of foods
made his remarks very interesting.
Mr.. Whitney, called the attention Of
the convention to the fact that the farm.
ers had come to realize that they could
be a controlling element in this govern.
ment If they would utilize it as they
should; that the farmer should take an
active part in the affairs of our govern.
ment. In comparing the farmers of Min.
nesota with those of New England, lie
thought the farmers Of Minnesota were
i'm a comparatively better condition, Civ
ing figures to substantiate his argument.
He believed the farmers were studying
and lettering their condition. Also, by
meeting together and discussing farm
needs.
The poultry show was one of the chief
features of the convention. Nearly all
kinds of fowls were exhibited. We be-
lieve the farmers of this county are
making great improvement in this
branch of farming.
The first brought to our notice was q
fine coop Of Houdans, owned by r. L.
HOuk, proprietor of Maple Valley stock
farm. Next were two coops of Light
Brahmas, and one coop of Bronze Tur-
keys, owned by +. Kramer; trio Bantams
owned by DIR. Bishop; two coops of Par
fridge Cochen, and one coop of Bronze
Turkeys, owned by B. Hanna; two GOODS
of Plymouth Rock, and one coop of Leg
horns, owned by Geo. Barnard; one pair
of Bronze Turkeys and one pair of Ban
tams, owned by Willis Greeley; one pair
of white imported Peken Ducks, owned
by Geo. Stevens; one Plymouth Rock
Rooster, owned by James Morrow.
The seed corn exhibit was quite good.
Some of the hest samples and varieties
were furnished by VIM. Johnston, ]. w.
Vance, Geo. Phelps, Geo. Stevens, Jas.
McBroOm, and VIM. Andrews.
Music was furnished by the MapletOn