Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-03-01
FOUR HUNDRED FARMERS
ATTEND THE MINNESOTA STATE
FARMERS, INSTITUTE.
Papers ON optics of Inn
pOrtance to Husbandmen Are Read
Hon. G. It. Powell Reads q Paper
ON Diversified Farming.

Minneapolis, Feb. -4.-Fully 400 farm
ers assembled in Century boil in att end
once at the meeting of the state farmers
Institute. 1t was supposed that those in
attendance would be largely from Ram
sey end HeDnepin cOur ties, but many
well known horticulturists, agricnltnrists,
florists and others were present from all
parts of the state. rhe first paper of the
morning Was read by Hon. George I.
Powell of New York, On the topic, "Fer-
tility of Soil" He treated of diversified
farming as along the line of tie wisest
policy. He first sp Ike of the fertility of
all land, holding that the first product
of cultivation was to drain it of its nat
rral resources. The pl. Mt food stored
il the soil was exhausted. The wisest
course in farming was to cooperate with
would bring continued success. The
more skill. A ton Of wheat, according to
the figures of the speaker, would not
Lring quite $50, but 1t removed from the
land So worth of plant food. A ton of
coed butter would bring $500 and would
remove not more than 50 cents worth of
plant food. Corn and oats were worth
less than cent per pound when sold,
but skill in feeding them to animals for
fatteping purposes would yield the follow
ing returns: Hose, 6 to 10 cents per
pound; to cents sheep; 3 to cents in
beef. While these animals were being
fed, the soil, instead Of bsing exhausted
ct its resources, was icing improved.
When diversified farming was pot chosen
| and wheat or corn or any speciality was
farmed to the exclusion of all others
and the product was shipped to other
states, thee was no return in the plant
food to the land. Diversified farming
Mr.. Powell concluded, resulted in return
irg much Of the food element to tbe
land in manure, but it required more skill
DIR. j. G. Curryer, r1 der the head "Ou1
| Horses" elaborated upon the care thai
Should be tt ken of this finn amin u, anc
gave his plan of bre liking the young colt
which was by kindly methods and gentle
rcss rather than hardness and driving
| tho animal to do certain things. Mrs
Ida Tilson of Wisconsin outlined her pla1
for making hens lay in winter, which wa!
i'll substance to give them good warn
quarters and to feed them warm anis,;l
and vegetable food during the cold wealth
FL.
The closing paper of the morning wa.
ny Theodore, and was on the shelter ant
care of swine. The ground was takel
that the hog was the cleanest and tides
arin al on. the farm if taken care Of il
the proper manner, and that he thrivet
best in warm, well lighted and clear
qu; rters. The last speaker was asked :
number of questions by persons in tn,
| audience at the conclusion of the nd
dress.
In the afternoon the students of til,
state agricultural farm, together with tn
facrlty, were present and occupied all tin
front part of the hall. The increase i'll at
tendance was noticeable and the CALLER
les We're well filled. George T. Powell
took up Market Gardening" and toll
Of its value in connection with farming
w. Somerville considered the question 0
small fruit on the farm, and Prof
Thomas Shaw gave the chief principle
governing weed eradication