River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-03-15

w II. Putnam gave a detailed &C
count of the mode of dehorning cattle.
A variety of questions signifed the
general interest in the subject. Geo.
w. Hill, editor of the Farmer, publish
ed in St. Paul. referred to the grow
ing interest in this subject eyineed by
the many communications received by
him on this subject. Reference was
made to w. ID. Hoard's caution TO
farmers to go slow in applying it to
dairy stock. Institute was then adj
journed till $3.50 next morning.
AT $3.50 A. NJ. Friday the Institute
was called to order by c. ". Guy.
Music by the quartette. Mr.. Strahl
took the chair. What shall we raise
on our farms to take the place of our
wheat crops! l.. N. Chapman, the
first speaker on this topic, referred to
the time in 1855 when our farms
would yield thirty bushels of wheat
per acre and the gradual decrease of
the crop till now we can raise no mer-
charitable wheat and the chinch bug
threatens loss of all our grain crops.
we are obliged to consider the facts
and either by stock or other produc-
tions find the returns necessary for
our needs. Axel Younggren, referred
TO the exigency of the day on our
farms; it demands thought and obser-
walton; watch the efforts and success
of our neighbors, the demands of the
market, and by increased attention
and labor and science make success.
He found a profitable crop in potatoes.
Marked one way and plowed burrows
three feet apart the other, cut his seed
potatoes and put one piece in hill
about two eyes--stepped upon it to set
tie it in the ground and covered with
the plow; got from ninety to one hun
dred and forty bushels per acre; dig
with fork, plant early and deep, and
use fat culture. He said that a mar
ket could be found at st. Paul for milk
which would give the farmer one dol
lar and forty-five cents per hundred
the year through, delivering it at the
River Falls depot. d. w. Currier said
he raised his boys for farming and
they were going ahead Of him. Had
reasonable success raising potatoes;
don't cut the seed till ready TO plant;
lost two acres last year from an over
dose Of Paris green; it cost eight cents
per bushel to raise potatoes.
The next subject was, What fertili
GERS shall we use! w. +. Marshall
said the elements needed for our crops
were potash, pnOsphrrlc acid, and
nitrogen. Apply farm manure first.
available nitrogen is most needed; clo-
yer is the best Of our renoyating crops;
he would cut the hay crop and pillow
under soon after. j. r. Getchell said
he should use clover and barn yard
manure--it must be housed to obtain
it in its best condition. In using clo-
yer. cut in June and two weeks after
plow under. A few other remarks
closed this subject.
George w. Hill. of st. Paul, took the
platform. He spoke of the progress
of Farmers Institutes. They began
about ten years ago. The first he at
tended there were thirteen present
and after the lawyers, teachers, and
politicians were counted out there were
left five farmers. The Institute ca
reer was growth because the farm.
ers have learned that they must think.
Competition cOmpels it. The time
was when we thought ourselves the
best farmers in the world. but increas.
ed knowledge and reflection shows our
mistake. The average value of horn
ed stock in Canada is ten dollars per
head more than in the United States,
because of better breeding. They ay-
erage twenty-three bushels of wheat
per acre, while we average twelve.
We have got to do differently to make
more from our farms. The farmer
combines more trades in his business
than any other one--must be a pIoduc-
er. manufacturer and merchant.
lie must study the markets. must study
raising beef, potatoes, and eggs. We
do not raise enough to supply our pop
ulation; eighty five thousand beeves
are needed for the twin cities of Min
nesota. as many more for the other
population Of the state; its production
is only one hundred thousand, the rest
is imported and of this but small per
cent. pays a profit to the producer.
The best beef for the market is that
which makes the greatest weight at
the earliest age: the conformation Of
the animal must determine the success
Of breeding. Adjourned.
The afternoon session was called to
order by Mr.. Guy. The primary de-
partment Of the High School, under
the direction Of Mrs. G. Smith. opened
the exercises with music. Mr.. Spauld
ing took the chair, and said the com.
mittee on Butter Exhibits, consisting
Of w. D. Purvis. G.. Smith, and VIM.
Armstrong, reported four samples Of
butter received. No. received the
first award, No. the second, No. 2
the third, and No the fourth.
The discussion was opened with the
consideration of the question: Is the
present system of keeping orr high
ways in repair worthy Of continuance!
Mr.. Guy said the law IS good enough
il the work was applied as the farmers
apply the work on their farms, good
roads demand work, and good work
will give good roads; wide tires on our
wagons would keep our roads better;
sleds four feet wide would improve
our winter roads. Mr.. strahl thought
we shirk when we work out our road
tax.
What is the most economical power
to drive stationary farm machinery
Thos. Foster advocated the wind en-
CINE as the cheapest in power aud at