Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1895-12-06
INSTITUTE
Held at Milford. this County, Fri
day, Nov, 29th,
MANY FARMERS ATTENDED

MANY FARMERS ATTENDED
The Institute was Success For Pike
County 90 Farmers of Northeastern
PENNSYLVANIA Listened to Interesting
Lectures by Eminent Agricul;urists-
Everybody Pleased and Profited-All
Want Institutes Again and Oftener.
In pursuance of the notice given,
short though it necessarily was, Il
number Of farmers gathered at the
Court House, Nov. 2gth, and were
met by Hon. Thomas j. Edge, Secre-
tary Of Agriculture of Pennsylvania ;
Hon. John Hamilton, Deputy Secre-
tary and Director of Institutes ;
Prof. Geo. Z. Powell, of the Penn
sylvania State College. Mrs. Edge,
wife Of the Secretary was also pre-
sent. The institute was called to
order at p. m. by j. H. Van Etten,
Chairman of County Committee of
institutes for Pike, who introduced
Prof. Hamilton, that gentleman eX-
planned the object and the beginning
of the work in this state. He said
it is not new thing The state
board of agriculture began the work
years ago and began by inviting peo-
pie to come into it. The first meeting
was small but the work has gained
until now it covers the entire state.
At the last session of the Legislature
bill was passed establishing Il De-
partment of Agriculture creating a
secretary, and defining his duties.
Under this are several subsdepart-
ments. The Forestry Commissioners,
Dairy and Food Commissioners and
Geological Department, The whole
object is to benefit the agricultural
interest. The act is of wide scope
and covers the development of all
branches of industry pertaining to
the farming. A few years ago there
was not so much competition as
now, and not as much difficulty in
making money in farming,
The farmers raised cattle, grain,
horses, butter and pork, and found
it all profitable. Now there is a
change, and it becomes grave
question whether he can make both
ends meet. The state recognized
this fact, and established this bureau,
The farmers of to-day are better
farmers than they were then be-
cause they now farm more scientifi-
cally,a with better understanding
of cost and profit. Some attribute
the present depression to silver,
some say the tariff and others foreign
competition, and the board was es-
tablished to enquire into those ques-
tions.
This department of institute work
is to get men to come here who
have spent their whole lives in the
work of farming, and to meet the
young men who are beginning. We
come to compare notes, and TO see ii
our wisdom combined cannot get at
the root of the trouble. Our farmers
are busy, they have no time to travel,
and many have not the means to GO
out and by observation and study
learn of those who have made sue
cessful experiments. These in
stitutes are to bring these ex-
periments, and the history OF
their success home to every
one. 1t is far easier to move one
man than to transport the farmers
to those places, The fruit grower
the dairy men, the grain raiser are
all enquiring what is best to do
The institute proposes to bring the
men from the places where these
things have been done successfully
and have them tell the story of the
manner in which it was accomp.
lished. 1t is proposed to go into all
the world and get the men who stanC
at the head of the different branches
of agriculture, such as Gov. Hoard
in the dairy the horsemen, tbs
grape man, the grain man, and bring
them before you, that they may tel
of the methods, kind of soil prepara
ton, and care necessary to maxi
successful the different branches
1t is also proposed to goa step far
ther, and add a department whicl
shall get all these matters in books
and to have a central agency, whicl