Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-01-31

p
rounded by the comforts, c0uyenlences,
and often of the luxurles Of life a
hard working woman IS THIS farmer y
wife of fact, but happy one, never
theless.
Mrs. Campbell's paper was Che best
one read during the institute. 1T /
abounded in delicious bits OF Sarcasm, /
and sharp home thrusts which evoked |
frequent and hearty applause.
The election Of officers was next on |
the program, and resulted III the
choice of the following: President, l.
n. Cowdry, Ithaca, secretary ana
treasurer, h. G. VanDeyenter, Ithaca;
executive committee, Otto Mey, Forest /
Hill; lothian Allen, Emerson; George !
Long, Pompeii. One vice president
was chosen from each township.
j. y. Stearns Of Kalamazoo was the
first on the program Thursday alter
noon with a paper on "Ilow can apples
and plums be made 10 pay" MI
Stearns said it would not do 10 depend
on old orchards, but he would select
the best from the old trees until
new ones can be started Then when
the trees attain suitable grOHth,
maintain frequent and thorough prun-
ing. AS soon as frost IL out OK the
ground, use the pillow, but do not piow
deep burrows. Thoroughly cultivate
and fertilize until about July. Spray
thoroughly; the first time before the
buds are started then while fruit Is
forming, using the Bordeaux mixture,
which is made as follows; Four pounds
of lime, well Stacked, and four pounds
of sulphate of copper, TO % gallons OF
water; for the second and third spray
in the season, add to this mixture one
quarter of a pound of Paris green.
Many orchards in central and
southern Michigan, he said. are affect
by fungus growth which can be
treated to good advantage only when
the tree is bare of foliage. Spraying is
not cure, but a preventive, The object
of which is to remove the fungus
growth and preserve health of trees.
Spraying is not effective, when delayed
or imperfectly done In spring treat
To a liberal dressing of fertilizer. Never
make the mistake of planting young
orchards on the ground of the old
, orchard.
He then told how to handle .he fruit
so that the market Will seek the fruit
and not the fruit the market. He
said Michigan can be made the banner
! fruit state Of the Union, and in answer
to questions at this point, said there il
e no reason why Gratiot county farmers
8 should not engage extensively IN truu
Z growing, provided all the suggestions
he had named were carried out, and
care exercised in the selection OF trees
2 Asked as 10 the most profitable fertl,-
Y iZer. he said he would use al the barn
/ ward manure he could get and Al! the
ashes he could buy.
The questions asked indicated an IN
creasing and growing interest IN th'
!. subject of fruit culture, and the op'n
} ion is expressed b many, that as on'
o result of the institute. Gratiot viii IL
!. few years be numbered among th'
fruit counties of Michigan.
O Before Hon. William Ball Of Ham
g burg began his paper on Farm man
o agement," be took occasion 10 comp
1, ment |. \. COwdIy for the manner Il
n which he had conducted the institute
and SAID that this Is the best and mos
+" successful institute he has after de'
!. this winter, and that this success IS o.
q to the interest and enthusiasm show
,e by the farmers Of Gratiot county. ii
Il advocated the organization OF farmers
II clubs In each township in the county
e AS an incentive TO more ln,elIlgeu
d work on the farm. In beginning hl
o paper, he said farming, ike all othe
Y avocations, requires skill, care an
IL labor. love for the work, aud "A deter
D. mination to succeed. Farm manage
le ment has all to do with success. On
,r of the first essentials is TO learn III
< value of &c )nomy in the care OF bullC
a ings, stock and tools; in the saving c
y time by doing much Of the work /
Ie winter which is too frequently nee
lie lected until spring, for winter IS tn
le time to get ready for spring and sun
IL mer. Another matter of vast impor
re ance is to realize that success depend
in not ON how many acres there are IN tn
farm, but how many acres are we
ii and carefully titled. He told OF tn
lie "leaks" on the farm; leaving tools e'
lie posed, stock unsheltered, buildings III
e repaired, poor, or no drainage, tum6I
Of down fences aud the thousand and on
ul things which will suggest themse'vt
Of to every intelligent farmer.
He advised them to be careful, pain
h taking in the rotation of crops, the s,
We lection and feeding of stock, for, sal
to Mr. Roll food IS "a essential as bTeeI