Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-12-14

of wheat crops was the hest blessing
that ever came to Iowa. for it resulted
in diversified farming and prosperity
came with it, Poor land lacks princi-
pally nitrogen. Avoid losing this by
seeding land to clover occasionally as
the roots, which descend ak to eight
feet, contain small ulcers which attract
nitrogen from the air and deposit in Ill.
This topic was also discussed by j. &.
McMillen, G. B. Pike and others.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
While the people were gathering fn
the afternoon session gentleman dem
onstrated the working If the Alpha
De Laval separator and answered que--
tons propounded by Interested farm
ers. The session opened with song b,
two little girls. followed by the read
ing of the following resolutions by the
secretary, which were unanimousl,
adopted:
Resolved: That we, the Farmers Institute
of Winnesheik county, assemble at Hsspe
Iowa, this Sth day OF December, 1898, do ex-
tend our sincere thanks to the citizens of Hes.
per ard vicinity for ih.ir cordial hospitality.
The royal manner In which 1t is extended will
be long remembered by those who have par
ticinated in its kindly influences.
That thanks be also extended to the recep-
ton committee for their untiring efforts in
curing entertainment for members who at
tended from distance.
That we extend to the public school scholar.
and musicians our thanks for the important
part which they rendered on the program.
That we, the farmers of Winnesheik county,
in institute assembled at Hesper, Iowa, do
favor the continuance Of the experiment OF
free rural mail delivery now being tried, be-
lieving that he lime has come when the farm
ers of the country should be thus benefited by
the improved methods OF our postal and mail
service.
profitable Poultry Raising" was
one of the most interesting topics of the
institute. Mrs. M. j. Cameron gave
her experience with poultry raising,
stating that thoroughbred chickens
only should be kept, advising Ply
mouth Rocks and Langshangs. Feed
little ones dry, ground feed, and the
very young ones bread crumbs, with
plenty of water i'm shallow dishes. Use
kerosene to eXtinguish lice. Her hens
average 81 a year profit. Mrs. f.. NJ.
Carter preferred the Wyandottes for
general purposes and found the hen
three or four years old more profitable
for raising chickens than younger ones.
They should be kept comfortable
There is no profit in them if not taken
care of. Not more than fifty should be
kept in one yard Feed twice day,
all they can eat. Give old plaster or
its equivalent freely, and keep barrel
filed with dust for them in winter.
Build the henhouSe long east and west,
facing south, with all the windows
possible, and yards in front. An inter-
esting discussion followed.
Farmers Fruit and Vegetable Gar
den." r.. +. Tyler spoke briefly, urg
ing the farmers TO give more attention
to fruit gardening. }. Ridley agreed,
saying that if farmers didn't raise fruit
they wouldn't buy it. He laid out
plan for fruit and vegetable garden.
Take one-half acre, manure well, pIow
and plant to potatoes. Make it ten
rods long and eight wide, with the
rows the long way, leaving twelve feet
on the ends to turn, and the long way
north and south. On the west side set
out row of apple trees, twenty feet
apart, with another row two rods from
it. Between the rows plant row of
currants and goost berries. One rod
from the apple trees set out a few plum
trees on one end, and the balance
grapes. Place black berries i'm the next
row, raspberIies in the next and then
three rows of Strawberries. The next
spring set out three more rows ofstraw-
berries. Fill in the spaces with veg /
ables of all kinds.
Bailey G. Street then read paper
upon the same subject which was SO
well received by the institute that we
publish it in full elsewhere in this is
sue.
After an instrumental solo by Mrs
j. Hiatt, one of the best Institutes ever
held in the county was brought to a
close, all present feeling that they had
been greatly benefited by attending it.
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