The Monitor-register., 1896-02-14
s.,em Couuty Farmers, institute.

The Salem County Farmers Institute
assem- bled in the Opera House yesterday
morning, and owing to the stormy
weather, the attendance was small, but
the farmers began to come in as the morn
ing advanced.
The session was opened with prayer by
Rev. DR.. Collier, after which Richman
Coles, President of the County Board of
Agriculture, stated that Franklin Dye,
the Secretary of the State Board of
Agriculture, who was to preside at the
institute, was seriously i'll, and Theo. F.
d. Baker, OF Rridgeton, a director of the
State Board, was introduced as chairman
of the institute.
Elmer II. Smith, of Salem, one of the
Vice. Presidents of the County Board,
extended a welcome to the institute. He
said his first thought was that he would
have to write about ten pages of fools
cap, but, upon second thought, he con-
cluded that if he went to see man and
he should go off in corner and begin o
read lengthy address of welcome, he
should not appreciate it, and so he deter
mined TO just say what was in his mind,
and if thought aud language failed at the
time, he could at least say 'you are well
come" He said it seemed rather para
doxical to talk about increasing produc-
tion W hen the farmers are suffering from
over production; the farmer stHdies gross
receipts too much, and does not give
sufficient attention to net profits. What
we want to know is not how to get a
larger productionso much, as how TO get
more profit out of what we do produce.
This is the purpose of these farmers
institutes. and with this in view We bid
you welcome.
The chairman then introduced Goo. G.
Giilingham, of Moorestown, who spoke
on "Orchard fruits, their care and
culture" He said this section was
adapted to the growth of orchard fruits,
but that their production had deteriorated
because of lack of proper culture and
fertilization. To remedy this the chemist
had come to the rescue, and shown fruit
growers what kind of fertilizer to use on
orchards for the production of fruit. He
said potash was needed to grow the stem,
and phosphoric acid for the fruit. The
application of stable manure to orchards
was deprecated, as it contains too much
heterogeneous matter; and renders the fruit
more liable to the blight. Spraying was
advocated as essential in raising good
fruit.
Chairman Baker stated that it cost
about Il cents per tree TO spray. He
said he did not believe there was an over
production of good fruit, but that the
market was annually glutted with
inferior STOCK, and the price thus lowered
for good fruiJ. He asked in reference In
trimming the trees, as he thought some
Information was needed along this line,
1 ~ &
had noticed.
Mr.. Gllingha said the time to trim
was when the wound would heal the
quickest. DON'T trim in November or
December, but rather in February or
March, or as near the time of sap flowing
as possible, as the wounds will then heal
quickly. The water sprouts or suckers
should always be cut of, but general
pruning should be done with great care.
Empson Atkinson thought if the
orchard paid as well as any other crop.
it should not be neglected tor any other
farm work, as is too often the case.
DR.. Collier asked for information as to
the effect or advisibility of burning
torch in the orchard to kill injurious
insects, instaneing the large number that
are attracted and destroyed by the
6l6CLrlc ilg nGS IN cltl6S.
Mr.. Gillingham said tbe coddling moth
was not night flyer, and therefore could
not be reached by this method. In reply
to further question in reference to
black speck frequently seen on apples,
that it comes from fungus growth that
forms on the red cedar trees, after heavy
rains, and then dries and blows on the
fruit in the orchard, and said cedar trees
ought not to be allowed to grow near the
orchard.
Chairman Baker said that in pruning
the roots of trees, the cut should be made
from the under side, and then the water
could not lodge in the root and rot it.
Edwin l.. Borton asked for information
as to the manner of keeping fruit, and
Mr.. Gillingham replied that he put his 10
barrels and left them out as long as
possible, then took them in and when it
became freezing weather headed them up
and put them in the cellar. An apple
will keep best in a low temperature, Just
above freezing.
.,nin@ K,oh~-n@sles nrocass AMI inquired. about tb
tn,snis mas adyisable to shake the tfsssSner
very full, or use prop to knq
THE trouble with this met
Gillipgham, is that it NV
y =. i - Aps4$<1
the besy' and heaviesF 1N<lv he only
proper method for thinning is hand pick
ing.
Some further questions followed, and
the session adjourned for dinner.
The afternoon session opened with
much larger attendance, the Opera House
being well filed.
The question box contained only one
question-"At what age does duck stop
laying?" Chairman Baker said this
was duck weather, and referred the ques-
tion to the audience, but no one seemed
to be ready with an answer. The goose
was said to do good service as long as
twenty and thirty years.
Richman Coles spoke on the "Poultry
Industry" BE said he was not a prac-
tical poultry grower, but had gathered
some information relative to the value of
the poultry and egg production in Salem
county, aud found, on careful estimate,
that it amounted to as much as the corn
and wheat crop combined, or between
100000 and $700. 900 annually, and next
in value to the dairy interest 1t is also
on the increase, and the improved appli-
ances are being utilized by our poultry
raisers.
Interesting information was also given
on the subject as to feed and breeds, by
Chairman Baker and Mr.. GiIlingham.
The former spoke of one man who real
lied value from hs poultry equal to
$9S per acre, and who ground up old
dishes and fed his poultry. He thought
if such things could be utilized. mauv
places could furnish good supply of
| feed
Mr.. Gillingham said his cuetom was to
feed warm mess in the morning, then
| sprinkle wheat screenings in chaff or
| leaves to induce the fowls to scratch for
| for it in order to get the needed exercise.
and then give them corn the last thing at
night The crop is the source of heat,
and if soft food is fed, it soon becomes
\ exhausted, and the coldest part of the
night the fowl has no fuel to keep up the
supply of heat. A mixture of wheat
bran, wheat middlings and clover hay he
| recommended as good ration. Dry,
clean and warm quarters were an abso-
lutte essential.
Hon. John Gould, of Ohio, was next
introduced, and he spoke on "Summer
and Winter Dairying," and his address
showed that he was thoroughly posted on
the subject and had made a careful study
of it, not simply in theory, but in prao-
tical results. He advocated less COWS
and better ones; not more feed, but
cheaper feed, that is, the kinds of feed
that contain the qualities needed that can
be procured at the least cost lie said
dsirying to be profitable must not get
beyond the point where the COWS fur
nished milk in the summer and then
board through the winter, or milk 10 the
winter and then eat the best grass in
summer and fight flies. Cows must milk
eleven months out of the twelve, and if
careful selection and proper breeding are
observed, followed with right conditions
as to feeding and care, and instead of
1900 or 900 pounds of milk mar wear