Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-06-20
THE FARMERS INSTITUTE.
Full Proceedings of Saturdays Ses-
sion-The Meeting Profitable One
nor, N, "A. Aoro;ox,d

COMMITTEES Appointed.
Special correspondence of the REFLECTOR
The second session of the farmers
institute met in the city hall, Abilene
June Is, 1889, at 2 p. m.
| Called to order by J. S. Hollinger
E. Brunson was elected temporary
chairman B. NJ. Anderson, temporary
secretary.
The committee on permanent organ.
ization made its report of the follow
ing for officers: President, w. E. A.
Meek; vice president, J. w. Gibson;
treasurer, o. Fenton; secretary, j. H.
Taylor.
On taking the chair the president,
w. E. A. Meek, made very appropri-
ate address.
On motion the speakers were each
allowed fifteen minutes and criticisms
each FIVE minutes.
w. L. Nixon addressed the institute
on fruit culture, favoring thorough
cultivation while trees were young,
sowing to grass afterwards and nom
mulchiEg.
j. W. Robson thought the greatest
mistake in planting was in the varieties.
Instead of Eastern kinds in ou1 old
homes, plant the noted fruit tree list
of the State Horticultural society.
j. S. Hollinger's experience with
clover in an orchard was that it was
decidedly injurious, while others
claimed the opposite.
Mr.. Shepherd, in regard to borers,
said the location of the orchard had
great deal to do with it, claiming the
northwest slope as the best. Trees
should be headed out low down so that
the afternoon sun would not scald
them. Once scalded, then comes the
borers.
Prof. Robson, in answer to an in
quiry, said the only remedy for orchard
blight was to cut out and burn. Caused
by atmospherical influences.
Corn culture was discussed by Us.
Hollinger, claiming that deep blowing,
subsoillng, check-rOwing and shallow
cultivation were the best methods.
F. V. Close advocated the lister
method as standing the drouth better
and better yield on the average crop.
Double listing was also recommended.
Z. Brunson claimed to 10 bushels
more per acre with listed corn than
planted. The general experience was
in favor of listed corn.
W. E. a. Meek, in his address on
the farmers pests, Bugs and Insects"
gave his opinion on the cause of the
ravages of the chinch bugs. He
thought the immense amount of volun-
teer grain in the summer plowed fields
afforded breeding place for the pests,
and so much acreage in one crop was
another cause. The preventative was
clean culture in midsummer and a
diversity of crops and rotation.
E. Brunson said with a few more
rains, as we have been having, we
would have no trouble this year. He
advocated burning all rubbish, all
old grass, cornstalks, etc., etc., as was
done in Illinois.
Prof. Robson gave an account of the
habits of the chinch bugs, saying that |
the first brood this year was destroyed |
by the rains, and the danger was now
from the second brood as the old ones
do very little hurt.
In order to defray expenses of the |
two institutes hat collection of $3.50 !
was taken up.
On motion, j. S. Hollinger, T. c.
Ayres and j. w. Robson were APP
pointed committee on constitution
and bylaws.
The committee on program are E.
Brunson, F. V. Close and J. S. Hol-
linger.
Mr.. Hart spoke in favor of farmers
In order to secure larger attendance
Of farmers of the whole.county of Dick
nson at our institute, it was suggested
hat committee on invitation, of three
in each township, be appointed.
On motion, adjourned to meet at the
,all of the president.
j. II. TAYLOR, Sec'y.