The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-01-31

Mr.. Wilcox warned against the gratuitous
advice of those who would rob the farmer.
One kind friend had advised the farmers to
keep 6O,O00,000 more sheep to use up the
surplus hay, corn, etc. 10000, 900 sheep
divided among 5000, 900 farmers would be
IL piece which could eat enough of the
surplus to make about $25 for the farmer
hardly satisfactory solution.
Morton, Cleveand's secretary of agricul-
ture said not enough potatoes were raised
but failed to say what they would do with
them after raising them; then said enough
hens were not kept-should have enough to
lay 14H million dozen more eggs, which
would be about ~ hens to each farmer
and that to use up the surplus products!
What magnificent advice. Finally Morton
says little brains should be mixed with
the manure. Mr.. Wilcox decided that
little more manure with their brains would
make Morton or others cease giving such ad-
vice. Tie thought little patriotism would
help out, and welcomed the listeners to the
city to discuss the evils of our present sys-
tenn which were man made, not Divine.
Hon. A. q. Gidden heartily thanked the
gentleman for the welcome, saying that he
knew of Shiawassee only through statistics,
but that he knew something must be back
Of such reports as he had seen to produce
them, and that the agricultursts must be
those who knew what they were doing.
Bad times had been upon the state for a
year, but better time was coming and he
hoped the discussions following would ma
terially assist in preparing to enjoy them.
Lieut. G. F. Schneider of the us. wealth
er bureau, stationed at Lansing. was called
upon and explained the work of the bureau
which is, briefly, as follows: At $50 cities
in the United States there were stationed
300 paid observers who took, at O'Clock,
morning and evening, observations by
barometer and thermometer and also re-
corded high and low temperature, winds,
rains, ETC.; as soon as taken observations
were sent from each station to every sta
what the weather FOR the following SO hours
would be. From these observations charts
were made out and kept for record and
copies posted for information. The state
service, made up of agents who gratuitously
send in daily reports, added materially to
the efficiency of the work Of the bureau.
To 700 postoffices in Michigan are sent
daily postal cards containing "a forecast of
the weather for the following SO hours.
These, most every farmer, If he desired,
could in some way see or hear from through
others, and thus arrange his work with the
weather as accurately as science has per-
fected the process of forecasting. To mer-
chants, shippers and producers these re-
ports are of infinite value, and to the first
two classes made available by telegraphic
reports; but as yet the producers were
not all supplied with information in time to
be of benefit Discussion following was
along the line that the service was good but
must be made to reach farmers before they
could be expected to support it or interest
themselves to any great extent. r. r.
Hewitt, of Lansing, thought all information
would sometime be transmitted to farmers
by telephone and electric cars carry mail to
them, thus putting them on footing with
city people.
Mr. Wilcox made strong argument in
favor of free delivery of mail in the coun-
try. Various other good points were
brought out in the discussion.
Miss Jarvis closed the morning pro-
gram by singing in clear and strong voice
the song 'Gillhooley's Violet Tea" 1t was
well rendered and loudly applauded.
The afternoon session was opened at 1:45
with song, "My Madcap Queen" by Miss
Edith Whelan, which was most excellently
rendered and we'll received.
j. q. A. Cook started to give talk on
the lizard Times, of '95," but was taken
i'll and was unable to finish his talk.
Hon. K. l.. Taylor, of Lapeer, one of the
very successful bee keepers of the state,
gave practical talk on "The Honey Bee
and Bee Keeping" giving many interesting
facts and good suggestions.
Mrs. John Cook, of Morriee, had prepared
a paper on "The New Woman" and read it
with spirit and in manner that impressed
the hearers that she was true American
woman who thoroughly realized the duties
of woman in every sphere of life. She
was not in sympathy with the new woman
talk-new men were needed more than new
women-men with. more interest In the
home and less in the saloon, men who could
legislate for the home and not for their own
pockets. Women were protected now, men
were bound to honor and respect her; every
where she was first and given first place.
1t was her duty and privilege to combat the
monster evil Of the saloon which stalks like
an unclaimed monster through the land;
great men have striven to stay 1t and
women haye had the glorious privilege to
work beside them. The new woman, IL
there is. such, wants the elective franchise,
but there are better defenders than that