Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-12-14
THE FARMERS INSTITUTE.
One of the Most Interesting Meet
ings Ever Held in the
County.
FULL REPORT or EACH SESSION
The Good People Of Hesper RsyaIly
Entertained the Visitors, and As.
sisted ia Making the Institute
Grand Success.

Grand Success.
1t was our good fortune to he able Il
attend the Farmers Institute, held al
Hesper last Wednesday and Thursday
In spite Of the cold weather a large
number were present from different
parts of the county, and the citizens OF
Hesper and vicinity joined in making
it one of the best Institutes ever held
in the county. Nothing but praise Is
offered for the hospitable entertainment
accorded the visitors by the Hesper
people. Everyone present was made
to feel that he was welcome guest,
which greatly added to the enjoyment
of the occasion.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
The Institute opened Wednesday
afternoon with President NJ. j. Nichol
son in the chair, assisted by r. f. Tyler,
secretary. After an excellent musical
selection by Mrs. John Hiatt the pro-
gram was read by the secretary, and
the first topic, "Compensations of Farm
Life" was ably presented and discussed
by Hon. j. s. Trigg, of Rock ford, Iowa,
A. Jacobson, j. l.. Cameron, Geo. Dill
ingham and others, bringing out the
different phases of the subject.
The next subject, Renting Farms
Should the rent he cash or part of the
CROP" was ably opened by j. S. Trigg
who advised generosity with renters
and long time leases; to feed all pro
duets raised on the farm, and to make
the terms part of the crop. G. o
Maltby though it the best plan to stock
the farm complete and let for one-half.
each thus helping the other. A. A
Hawks and Mr.. Tabor agreed with the
others, all advocating the co-partner
ship plan of renting.
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
The evening program was opened by
a song, followed by invocation b,
Rev. VIM. Cummings. Prof. Thornton
then extended the welcome of the Hes
per people 10 the Institute. A brief
outline of his thoughts follows: We
live in the best century in history, and
one Of the great factors in its progress
has emanated from such gatherings as
this, which lead to many improve
ments and advancements 1t is the
duty of the farmer to become acquaint-
ed with the scientific rs well as the ele-
mentary principles of farming. Farm
ers ought to discuss how boys and girls
can make better farmers and farmers
wives, as well as rent problems, etc
The farmers have it in their hands to
make the country what they will and
ii is their duty to raise noble men aud
women.
Prof. q. a. Oliver, of Decorah, then
responded to the address of welcome in
his own pleasing manner. He said
tustt III tue ncatitS vi tuc NiSitoiS lhSiC
was much more welcome than before,
for the genial atmosphere and hospital
ity offered brought them closer togeth-
er That he had been brought up on
a farm and had nothing but the most
pleasant recol.ections of it, and the
longing to visit the home of his boy
hood days never left him when absent
from it, He carefully brought out the
thought "What man sees does not
depend upon what there is to be seen;
it's question of eyes," with appropri-
ate illustrations, and what man sees
in Farmers Institute doesn't depend
on what there is to see, but what he
wants to see. The program is diversi-
fed so as to diversity farming, which
brings best results, and each should
listen to things with which he is not
familiar. The prime object of a farm
ers' Institute is the diffusion of knowl-
edge, which is beneficial if put into
practice. Ifwhat we see depends up
on eyes, we should bring an educated
eye, and should all study carefully the
subjects; should look leniently upon
the farmer who believes differently,
and teach him as well as learn from
him. He also advocated the diffusion
of first class literature, diversified read
inc and VISITING of neiphbors Com
tact with human nature elevates, and
home makes patriots.
"A violin solo by Martin Folstad was
followed by a illustrated song, "Three
Little Maids" dialogue "Almost a
Runaway" a duet by John and Josie
Plunkett, a recitation by Miss Weber,
a song Break the News to Mother"
with violin obligato, and dialogue
mot Quits q Bargain. All were nice
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