The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1897-01-29


James N. Mcbride took up "Corn as a
Forage Crop" and most thoroughly dis
cussed the subject. He said alfalfa was
good In some sections. Bermuda grass
grew almost immeasuraby in Florida, but
we have no need to envy them; corn can be
grown In all its perfection here and its utili-
ties are almost boundless, no plant having
more uses. Corn is used for bread, for
meal, as a desert, made into whisky,
into pork. used for hay, for beef, etc. The
preparation of The soil was most important:
Plow the land, cultivate it constantly, let it
be thoroughly warm; plant about the first
of June in this section two weeks after the
piOwing AMI cultivating to destroy the
weeds; shell the whole ear for seed and
it in the attic and drying thoroughly-never
leave corn in the criD aud then expect tn o
best results with corn that has suffered all
kinds OF weather changes. In planting use
an ordinary IL hoed drill, which when
properly handled will place the kernels
about foot apart. In this manner mark
ing is not necessary, machinery is saved,
and much expense done away with; with
corn at a low price labor must be saved and
by this method larger part of the time
used formerly by hired help Is unnecessary.
Corn looks pretty sowed thickly, but is no
good, and is fraud on the animal to which
the stalks are fed; planting by drill leaves no
marks, crows cannot locate the seed, cut
worms can not work, makes a firm fine
So 90 an acre. In working use a two-horse
cutivatOr, weeds having been practically
done away with by the proper preparation
of the soil as above. Sweet corn is m ore
difficult to raise and no better for feed
The speaker had had seed from Virginia
that raised stalks IA feet high and 20 tons
to the acre; southern and western corn roots
deeper, is greener in summer when dry.
This year he cut and shocked in large
shocks, filling the silo in November. Plant
in small fields and turn sheep into fields
where corn Is shocked. Use corn in shock
first, shredded corn fodder in January:
open the slo in February; let the silo heat
and don't be scared. Have raised four oI
five times as much food from corn as hay
with less cost. BY feeding sheep on the
land, the manure is already hauled. Would
advocate all forms of corn as fodder. Corn
ground should be sowed to rye.
! A lively discussion followed as to plant
ing and using corn exclusively for feed
Some planted Immediately after plowing
and believed roots should be used in con-
nection with corn as feed.
A. l.. Chandler discussed peppermint
culture. Peppermint is one of the Oldest
plants and was early brought to New York
then to Michigan. In war time the oil
brought SO pound, raising about 20 pounds
to the acre. Although it brought only
about dollar pound now, on some grounC
it could be raised and made profitable, anC
paid for trial and study. Choose grOunC
as free from weeds as possible-some LAND
in this county being peculiarly adapted
Set plants from to S15 feet apart; SOW
from a bag, having carefully selected small
and healthy roots. Use cultivator con
stantly; after cutting let the plant wilt ant
lay awhile, thus allowing it collect all thu
gums. Put in vat through which pas ies ,
pipe, steam being forced through the min
from the bottom, and run into tank o
water, six feet high, from which can b'
skinned the oil which should be put il
pound cans. Feed sthe straw to sheep
The first year will be expensive, the secont
and third years quite profitable.
A discussion OF things in general followed
the advice as to cutting clover being to Gu
Just as it begins TO turn; artichokes wer
profitable IL small field were used, allow
ing hogs to dig them up; carrots were bet
ter, producing 1000 bushels to the acre an,
being easily dug; sugar beets were not yer.
successful, but time is coming when al
sugar will be made here out of them, tn
immense cost of plant preventing NOR
extended experimenting at present; prop
erly equipped beet sugar plant costing abou
$3.50, 600 to $400, 900.
At the business meeting the committee ol
nominations, consisting of j. N. Mcbride
Geo. T. Mason, l.. S. Bowles, M. S. Craw
ford, s. N. Pierce, +. M. Whelan, Dame
). N. Mcbride as president; the supervis
ors of the townships elected at the com
ing spring election as vice presidents
and G. B. Cook as secretary and treasurer
On motion of G. b. Cook, an Invitation
from Owosso was accepted for the mex
annual meeting, 1t being the intention {
hold smaller institutes at Byron, Bancroi
and other places, and have a round up NEE
ing at Owosso, when the officers will try
! arrange to have all of the state board
speakers at the Owosso meeting.
r Claude Martin rendered solo which wa
loudly applauded, and he responded with
{ pleasing encore.
ii. K. Van Norman, of the agricultur
: college, explained in detail the college met
: cd of making butter, giving practical e.