The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1892-05-14
rAnMnns, INSTITUTE MEETING.

FARMERS INSTITUTE MEETING
Special Correspondence From wasco
and sherman.
WAsco, May 12.-The afternoon ses-
sion of the Farmers Institute opened
with musical selection by the choir,
after which a paper, composed for the
occasion by Wallis Nash, was read by
Professor French, on the subject of
industrial education. Reference was
made to the change that has taken
place in the acquisition of technical
education, since the times of the old
men applying for work in any of the
trades are no longer asked "where do
you come from and where were you ap-
prenticed?" AS result we have a
Euperabundance of merely "handy men"
whose knowledge is superficial. The
state agricultural college aims to make
thoroughly accomplished farmers, and
under our care. Our education is con-.
Quoted on the kindergarten principle.
We combine the scientific with the prac-
tical. We have 200 students from every
county in the state and we aim to imbue
every one of them with the idea that
labor is dignified and honorable. One
hour a day is devoted to practical work.
Boys are taught to work at the bench, at
the anvil, in the field, in the orchard, in
the labratory. Our boys are trained
how to make draught of any
piece of mechanical work as well
as how to do the work itself.
They are instructed in the chemical con-
stituents of soils, and the kind of food
adapted to each species of plant life.,
They are given practical as well as theo-
retical instruction in horticulture, flori-
culture, ponology and every other
branch of farm work. They are taught
the character and habits of the pests of
the farm and orchard, and the most
approved methods of exterminating
them. One third of the students are
girls. they too are instructed in
horticulture, in the care and cultivation
of flowers and fruits as well as in house.
hold science, how to cook, boil and stew
meats and vegetables, how to make pud-
dings, jams, jellies, etc., how to
sew, patch, darn, plan and cut garments
and do all kinds of fancy work. These
are the aims and objects of our college
work, and they have been abundantly
successful In turning out young men and
women equipped with all necessary
knowledge for starting life as accom-
plished farmers, and farmers wives,
imbued with love of farm life they are
never likely to loose in after years.
Mrs. L. Garfield followed with very
able paper on Odds and Ends. The
numerous '1eaks'' on the farm were.
pointed out in a very interesting man
ner, and the dignity and nobility of
farm work insisted on. "She is a true
lady. said Mrs. Garfield, who is fitted
to 60 from the milking stool to the draw,
ing-room and piano, and be at home in
either place. Had a score of daughters
would teach every one them to milk,
and had score of sons would teach
every one of them to cook and bake
bread" The paper, as a whole, was
deeply interesting for its caustic, in
cisive and somewhat radical thought
and words. 1t was finely composed and
well received. Mrs. Garfield had urged
the Importance of good reading matter
in the farmers homes, especially good
newspapers, and the institute, taking
up the cue, discussed this point at con.
siderable length.
Professor French followed, on: How
can the farmers derive the greatest ben
eft from the experiment station?'' The
professor spoke of the Hatch act, -by
which the sum of $15, 900 was granted to
each state, annually, for the benefit of
farmers. He pointed out four ways
through which the benefits intended to
follow the appropriation might accrue to
those for whose benefit it was made.
First by correspondence. The professors
held themselves ready to answer all
questions within the compass of their
knowledge, on anything relating to the
farm, garden or orchard. Second, by
institutes such as the present. Third,
by branch stations, where tests are to
be made and experiments tried, similar
to those now going on at the central
station at Corvallis. No branch station
had yet been instituted, but probably
one would be established in Eastern Or
egon before long. Fourth, by bulletins,
containing the results of careful expert
ments and approved methods. These
bulletins are issued when necessary and
are sent free to. all who may desire
them. At the close of the professors
remarks, in answer to question, he