Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-01-30
THE FARMERS INSTITUTE
The most Successful one ever
held in the County.

Institute to order and proceeded on the
program. After music the devotional
exercises we're conducted by The Rev. j.
". Vickers of the VI. + Church. after
which President T. a. Bagley, of the
village board. in short and eloquent
address, welcomed the Institute to
Alma This Was replied to by Presi-
dent Moody of the Institute. who III a
happy way accepted the invitation.
Tie first paper WAS 10y Prof. Taft OF
the Agricultural College OH Fruit Cult
ure. lie advised the application of
wood ashes, uuleached if possible if not
leached to soil planted TO fruit trees
Soil planted To any fruit must be we'll
drained, we'll cultivated and kept rich
Don't experiment with fruit. plant only
one II two varities of "a kind of small
fruits, plant small fruits. whether for
garden or market III long rows and
cultivate with a horse.
The question was thoroughly dis
cussed and was followed by a paper on
"Clover" by Prof. II. G. Holden. The
Professor discussed the question OF
| fertilizer and showed that commercial
fertilizers were expensive AT any price
when the farmer has at his command
plant that had the power OF storing
up more phosphorus, potassium ana
nitrogen, tie three chief constituents
of plant life. than there is in any com
mercial fertilizer compared ton for ton.
Ii is impossible to give all his paper
1t was excellent aud the discussion it
called forth was productive of much
good.
| The next paper on under drainage
| 10y Hugh Chisholm WAS not forthcom-
ing His duties at Lansing not allow
ing him to prepare on the topic.
The next paper was 10y Darius Reid
on Surface Drainage" Mr.. Reid ad-
vocated the construction of broad shall
low drains or water courses which
would offer no obstacles to farm ma
chinery. These drains only to be con-
structed where the amount of water
does not require under drains,
The evening session was opened by
instrumental music by Wright's Opera
House band. The question box was
then opened and variety Of subjects
discussed Then followed Sergeant \
b. Conger of the Michigan weather
bureau who enlightened the audience
on the somewhat complex subject of
the weather and explained many of
the peculiar problems which are such a
mystery. His talk was high, interest
ing and was listened to with more than
close attention. He was followed by
Prot. u. G.. Holden on Cooperation
who placed before the audience the adj
vantages and disadvantages of that
system. Cooperation is the hope of
the future if rightly carried out. The
Hon. &. III. Morse was absent and ILLS
paper was not read. After another
piece of music 10y the band the ex-
ercises were closed for the evening.
Tuesday morning found large and
enthusiastic audience ready to take up
the exercises and after a piece OF in
strumental music by Miss Gertrude
Pressure was discussed by Jotham
Allen of Emerson. Mr.. Allen is one OF
the high pressure farmers of the county
who makes farming pay and his paper
was an earnest appeal TO the profession
to Systematically study their business.
The paper was full of practical hints
and we hope to be able to give 1t in
full later.
Prof. II. Edwards of the Agricultural
College then entered a plea IN behalf OF
the farmers boy lie cited the ex-
lampes of Washington and Jefferson
of Jackson, Lincoln, Sheridan and
Grant to show what farmer boys had
accomplished and urged on them and
their parents stronger and heartier
respect for their profession and de.
sire for education, not an education
which would teach them to dispise
labor but one that would cause them to
appreciatelt, The farm needs thought
full labor. educate the boys that they
may love their calling and intelligently
conduct it.
Benz. Burton was taken sick and
being unable TO discuss the topic OF
beets and sugar-cane, the discussion on
the raising of potatoes was opened by
III. y. Robinson of Forest Hill. He
thoroughly prepared lis ground, fur
rowed it out with common plow three
and one-half feet apart. Two men
dropped tho potatoes is inches apart in
the furrow and the furrow is plowed
full again. Do pQt.wit fcr'pOtatoes to
come up before cultivation.
George IrisS Of Arcadia believed in
lhip culture, used medium sized potatoes
| ANA cut' tvi eyes on a rfpcp Cut his