The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-03-15
The Farmers Institute at Bancroft


Friday evening Phillips hall was welt
filled to listen to the program of the first
session of the institute. The music by the
Bancroft quartette was one of tho features
| of each session, the selections being particu-
| larly apt and the rendering effective The
Presidents address by N. X. Potter fully
set forth the good to be obtained by farm
ers' associations. Mr.. Potter always strikes
square from the shoulder at the point under
| consideration. f. J. Smith who has tray-
eled extensively in the northwest made
many valuable comparisons and observa-
tons on the condition of Dakota
farmers. Lieut.. Gov. Balrs paper was
intended to set forth correct aspirations
and ambitions for the farmers as well as
others. The point that young men aim to
dress and live above their position has
brought down more hell upon earth than is
commonly thought, and that young ladies
who think more of social distinction and less
OF true accomplishments arc not what might
be considered the American ideal. There
| seems to be a growing impression that Will
liam Ball would make a good successor to
Gov. Luce in 1890. +. A. Burnett held the
attention OF the audience by well written
and well read paper on the benefit of farm
ers' organizations, showing how the Oleo-
margarine bill, the successful termination OF
the drive well litigation were due TO
organization. The morning session after
prayer and music was opened by Prof Taft
of the Agricultural College who told of the
best varieties of fruits and vegetables suited
to Michigan and protection to same from in
ssets. Senator Holbroox discussed the so-
called mortgage tax law" giving a history
| of the law and presenting several reasons
! against its repeal. Those who urge the re-
peal OF this law place themselves in the
| position of favoring the taxation of mort
cages yet opposed TO any effective law for
the purpose. A remonstrance against re-
pealing was circulated and largely signed.
Miss Fanny Carruthers recitcd in a pleasing
| manner selection detailing the sorrows and
| joys that fall TO the lot of the country editor
James N. Mcbride read paper on what
| the schools have done for the n. w. Terri
tory starting with the Prusslan maAim
! what we would have in nations life we
must teach in our schools" The present
condition OF our schools was discussed, adj
ysing the attendance of teachers at Institutes,
more systematic method of teaching
throughout the country, the admission of
pupils to the various high schools upon GER
tificates from district graduates, the return
to the old fashioned spelling school. Con
corning the township unit system the speaker
said the probabilities were it would not be-
come law, that there were several features
of the bill Objectionable but the discussion
of the matter was productive of good. The
recitation by Miss Wrigley in the afternoon
was well recited and listened TO intently
Miss Mollie Carruthers' paper on Michigan
Girls was one of the best papers delivered
before the meeting. Lieut.. Gov. Ball se-
cured the manuscript of this paper for the
MchiganFamer.
The addrcssby Prof.Jolnsonon one of the
experiments in feeding steers of the different
breeds was Of interest and full of practical
| benefits TO the stock raiser. A. u. Clark
did up the '"Pioneer hog' in his usual inim-.
table manner. Mr.. CLARK prefaced his
remarks by saying he should treat the sub
joct as wholly impersonal. After the reports
OF the committees on petitions, and resolu-
tions read by e. a. Burnett and J. N. Nc
Bride the question box was opened This
interesting part Of the meeting was ncces-
sarily cut short by lack of timc The elec-
tion OF N. K. Potter, Pres. and Il. A. Bur
nett, Sec. and Treas. closed very success
ful and profitable meeting oc Shiawassec
county farmers.