The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-02-23

CONTINUED from rdge T.

claimed, Grin ana bear IL oio maus IL VIII
be the making of the pup He was unable
to prepare q written paper on account OF
weak eyes, but he would do his best to give
a few thoughts of interest His success was
shown by the many words of praise. He
said this country was sometimes advancing,
sometimes retreating. No man would at
tempt TO name the mistakes of one life, but
to name those of nation would be an i'm
possibility. and to correct them was an In
comprehensive task. The mistakes of the
farmers were not as harmful rs those of
others and more than that the evil effect was
always upon himself, therefore no man In
any department of life had as good right
to err. The great mistake OF the country
man was his failure to cooperate. We are
unable to stem the tide against us on this
account though we might rule. In the mis-
takes of others the lawyer profited, the
doctor profited. the workingman prodted,
and even the preacher could make $40 on
horse trade Monday and be as good for his
next Sundays sermon. The problem of his
own existence is now the great question
with the farmer and bis methods and pur-
poses, if guided by the hand OF God, would
not only right errors in all departments of
life, but finally give rest to the many of al
nations and peoples.
c. b. Cooks paper on "Friends or Enc
mics, Which," was one of great instruction.
He stated that through ignorance many
great wrongs are committed and although
seemingly not of great Importance, yet the
destruction of owls and hawks had become q
great wrong. They are considered as rob
bers without regard for any of their goo0
qualities. The birds of prey have been
carefully studied lately and it Is certain that
no species of hawk or owl is wholly injur-
ious, for even our most petted birds will
steal an occasional cherry. Some are bene-
6cial in some districts and injurious in
Others notably the great horned owl which is
friend in the west, an enemy here. Three
kinds of hawks only in Michigan are injuri-
Gus: the sparrow, pigeon and sharp-shinned.
A single pair of the latter have been known
TO kill and carry off dozen chickens in a
day. Those beneficial are the red tail,
marsh and red shoulder, and their food in
cludes rats, mice, snakes, frogs and tOads.
Owls are still greater friends of the farmer.
The only injurious one being the horned owl
while the long and short cared, the sereech
and barn owls should be fostered where
ever and whenever possible. A pair of barn
lie HOY tsaat In rato
or mice II times in a half hour, and while
some of these may carry away Qf extremely
hungry a chicken, yet it is better to give
them one than to be overrun with detestable
animals. The speaker had cray0n draw
ings Of the various birds and 1t is to be
hoped that 500 or more who saw the birds
will follow the speakers advice with regard
10 rushing out with the gun to kill some
thing the minute some one cries out hawk
or owl.
X. M. Shepsrd's subject, "AIe farmers
Organizations Beneficial" was handled by a
man who was thoroughly posted on the
benefits to be derived therefrOm. He con-
demued the statement of the Democratic
-'have the farmer stay at home and mind his
own business" He presented numerous
examples OF the benefits of organization and
proved conclusiyely that no great undertake
ing could be carried on unless thoroughly
organized body was back of 1t, and as the
farmer had great needs they should have a
great organization. Through this. the United
States had become the nation of the earth.
Every class of business. professional and
laboring men had an organization. All were
proGting by these unions. He told of the
organization Of a State Farmers Club.
Numerous speakers heartily seconded Mr..
Shepard's remarks and many good words
were said for the Grange and the work 1t
had accomplished.
The question box was opened and although
nnany questions were presented there was
nut little time for answers.
The spraying Of trees was to be done just
after the petals had fallen and with Paris
green In the proportion Of one pound to 900
gallons of water. using the cyclone nozzle or
other good instrument
The question of wages for help was, after
much earnest discussion, brought down to
the point: Everything sold from the farm
had decreased since March, 1893. from one
quarter to one third, therefore We can not
pay the same price for the hired help. Pay
Ill you can; pay the good man, the sober
man, the Intelligent man about what you
did last year, but cut the uninterested. shift
less, or the poorer grade Of help to el4 OF
90 month and board, but paw as much q
you cam" The treatment of laborer on
the farm was much better than in any other
branch OF business.
A sharp political discussion followed in
which the present administration and its
accursed method got . decidedly bad deal.
The committee on nominations, G. A.
Whelan. j. y. Lemon and l.. Mixer select.
cd X. 8. Burnett for President; A. b.
Clark for Vice President, Miss Stella Potter
for Secretary, and the report was accepted
and adopted.
An executive committee of X. A. Burnett,