The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1890-12-26
FARMERS INSTITUTE.

IN the court mouse DecemDer lOtn ana
10Th was decided success all the way
through. The rain storm on Thurs
day morning no doubt kept good
MANY farmers from attending yet
there was a decided success all the
way through. At the evening sessions
the court room was we'll filled, there
were two hundred and fifty to three
hundred present
The farmers showed much interest
by the lively discussion of questions
which were placed in the question box
and in discussing the papers which
were read. Among the questions
which were discussed were the follow
ing: Can tiling be used for irrig ating
landl No one could give practical ex-
perience; but the discussion biught out
several good points. Another ques-
tion was, "Will it pay to build sheds
for manurep The balance of argu-
ment was in favor of some protection
for the compost heap to prevent wash
by allowing the rain to wash through
it Among the most important ques-
lions just at the present time, perhaps,
is the following, "Would it be wise
legislation to appropriate s25o,OOO to
defray expenses of an Oregon exhibit
at the Columbian Exposition4" This
was discussed at some length; but no
-one favored such large expenditure
from the states funds. Some thought
$4,000 sufficient. The subject of
Summer Fallowing" proved to be an
interesting theme to the farmers and
hal there been time one whole session
ooald have been given up to this with
much profit. The bare fallow is large
ly thing Of the past, judging from
discussion which was entered into with
much interest. Nearly all who spoke
upon the subject grow some small
or,p rather than allow the ground to
be naked during the summer.
The programme was carried out as
printed except the transpostion Of his
paper and the omission OF the subject
of breeding Cattle the essayist not
being present.
Among those who attended the In
stitute from distance were Judge
Boise, Hon. J. Voorhees, and Hon. T.
T. Geer all of Marion county. Hon.
7. T. Geer's address ON Friday even
ing was full of good cheer for the farm
or. Mr.. Geer looked upon the bright
side of farm life and evinced himself
as having little patience with those
who 60 about decrying the farmers
lot and picturing it as a most lament
able condition. Mr.. G. showed that
many crops which can be grown sue
oessfully in Oregon are bringing good
prices, Notwithstanding the stringency
in the money market.
The exhibit of vegetables, dried and
canned fruit, fresh fruit grains and
flowers attracted much attention. One
of the most interesting features, to
the ladies at least was a display Of
"practice sewing" done by the girls in
the Household Economy course at the
college. Miss Smells paper called at.
tention to this feature and the advan-
tages Of we'll trained hand and eye
as we'll as brain in household work.
To give this or any other paper justice
would be to give the whole article
which space will not admit
A large number participated in the
picnic dinner at the Grange hall on
Friday. An hour and half spent in
the hall partaking of the delicious
cakes and the more SUBSTANTIAL things
such as chicken. baked beans, cold
beef, ETC., together with the social chat
helped to form new acquaintances and
to strengthen the old. People will
become acquainted easier at dinner
table than at any other place because
they are good natured here if in no
other place in the world.
The Institute closed on Friday even
ing with a feeling that all had enjoyed
the meetings and much had been gain
ed both socially and intellectually.
The subject of county fair in Ben
ton county was talked of privately; but
no definite action was taken. Certain
ly there onght to be a county fair in
Benton county and there is no better
location than Corvallis for such an in