The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-03-27
Farmers Institute.

The first Kingsbury County Farmers
Institute, held in De Smet March %,
though gotten up OH short notice, was
a decided success.
The interest manifested by those
present showed them to be in earnest,
and good results will be sure to follow.
The first topic of the day, and one Of
the greatest moment to the producer,
"IIow to best dispose Of the farm pro-
ducts" was opened by o. +. Stearns,
who in brief and pertinent manner
touched on several of the main points
Of the subject, leaving it open for dis
cusSion. He was followed By Amos
Whiting. Rev. f. Brown, and ID. Bum.
Mr.. Whiting reviewed the present con-
dition of markets and future outlook
for concentrated products, such as beef,
pork, and dairy products, which in his
opinion did not pl 'mise any short and
royal road to fortune. Mr.. Bum
thought that the production of extra
choice beef more profitable than the
dairy--would let the calf 20 the milk
ing. Had tested butterine in Wiscon-
sin, which he could not tell from the
best creamery, and thought We could
not compete. Both speakers were
strongly of the opinion that the farmer
must market his products in Isuch
manner that he will reap the benefits
which now 60 to the warehouse men.
That he should pocket the margins.
Just here, when the subject was
fairly opened and the interest at it's
height, the Chairman, Mr.. Noyes, with
a wistful look in the direction Of bas-
kets containing the picnic dinner, an
nounced that the session would close
with song by the Misses Richardson,
which the little ladies executed to the
qualification of the assembly.
The afternoon session opened with
augmented numbers. The first topic
was "The condition Of the farmer in
Dakota which was opened by s. j.
IIoffma in carefully prepared address
of considerable length. His conclusion,
a just one, was that the farmer is hard
up" starting without capital, which
necessitated the credit system of busi
ness, which means high prices for what
he buys, and the inevitable mortgage.
lie said the farmer lacked system in
his work. Mr.. IIoffma's address Occu-
pied large part of the session, and as
there was still another subject to be
discussed there did not seem to be time
to show any very definite way out of
the Slough of Despond" in which the
speaker had left the "tiller of the soil. ;"
Mr.. j. B. Crawford, in the absence of
the regular sResskff55 f5 Ger31e1i sc derived from
county fair; thought the social one of
the greatest; also the emulation EN-
gendered by seeing the choicest pro-
ducts. Protested against racing. He
was followed by Messrs. Whiting, Bum,
Still. Sherwood, Owen, and others.
Speakers treated the social and business
aspects, and the general opinion was
that the fair was good thing; that its
primary object should be agricultural;
that q little racing, like little nom
sense, is relished by the best of men,
and we believe. if we did not get the
thing mixed, that Mr.. Crawford and
Mr.. Bum are to drive at the next
county fair.
Just at the close gentleman from
Castlewood. Mr.. Smith, introduced the
subject of Saskatchewan wheat, which
he was canvassing in the interest of the
producers of Iamlin county, practically
demonstrating one way of marketing.
Mr.. Smith gave some valuable informa-
tion in response to various questions,
after which the institute adjourned in
the best of spirits. and, we believe, with
the universal desire that this be not the
last. REP.