Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-02-04
FARMERS INSTITUTE.

Farmers institute met according to
ann ouncement at 1870 p. m. Jan. 9th.
An unusually large attendance at the be-
ginning of the session indicated the gen
eral interest, which waxed stronger until
the close of session.
All joined in singing America" after
which G. G. Brown invoked divine bless.
ing.
Mayor Kellow in his usual cordial
manner welcomed the farmers of the
vicinity and explained some slight mat
tiers Of difference which he feared owing
to false Interpretation might have arous-
ed feelings Of i'll will, and closed with an
earnest exhortntion to attain the highest
perfection in whatever calling engaged,
not neglecting that of all callipgs-the
heavenly.
The mayors timely address was ably
responded to by w. w. Williams, show
ing that the occupation of the husband
man and shepherd in most other coun-
tries have been placed at the bottom of
the list; but owing to the establishment
of experiment stations and other educa-
tional influences brought to bear upon
the farm, the work of the farmer has be-
come more and more that of the brain.
Owing to the fact that 70 per cent of our
farmers own the farms on which they
live, he thought we compared favorably
with the chosen Israelites, who could
eat under their own vine and fig tree.
This ownership of land he considered a
great source of stability to the govern.
ment. He thought that our farmers
could improve their financial condition
greatly by selling our products less in
measure and more by weight.
A recitation by Master Paul Brown,
which caused ]. S. Trigg to make mo.
ton that the boy have collection to en-.
able him to purchase his desired gopher
knoll on which to raise his squash
A cloud now appeared above the hori.
zon of the institute caused by the disap-
pointing news that Prof. Curtis could
not be with us owing to the fact that i'm
portant business matters needed his per.
sonal attention. But as every cloud has
silver lining, this cloud proved to be
no exception to the general rule as j. S.
Trigg proved at once the silver lining,
and before the closing of the topic
"Beef and Dairy Cattle"-the sky of the
institute blazed with MONDAY splendor.
The discussion developed the fact that a
| type Of beef and dairy cattle could be SO
combined as to produce the all purpose
granger COW, especially adapted to the
needs of the Iowa farmer.
The discussion further proved the IA.
tally of the time honored saying, "a
prophet is without honor in his own
country" as our co-worker, B. P. Norton,
was eulogized as having attained the
foremost place in the rank Of Iowa dairy.
men, having, according to his books,
which staten ents are corroborated by
depot accounts, increased the produc
ton from the general average of 40
pounds butter fat per head to that of $40
pounds per head, doing this not alone on
one individual, but averaging this on o
herd of thirty. Mr.. Norton was fred
with questions, which were answered in
his usual off-hand manner.
Mr.. Kimball Of Austin, MIMI, estimat.
ed the knowledge derived from above
questions and answers if practically ap.
piled would be worth thousands of dol.
lars to Howard county farmers
| Motion was carried that B. P. Norton
write detailed account of his dairy
operations, which account should be
published in the leading agricultural
and county papers, and filed upon the
minutes of the meeting,
The Lime Springs male quartet then
favored the institute with two finely rem.
dered selection. after which Myron Con.
verse read paper on the breeding and
raising of calves, showing that he enter.
tanned notions of calf culture which
would do credit to an older head.
The evening session opened with g
song by the Lime Springs male quartet
with response to encore. Prayer by
Rev. Frank Shaffer, and song by Crescc
male quartet, who also responded to az
encore. Aviolin solo by Willie Connolly
with Mrs. Connolly organ ccompanist
brought another encore, which the little
man gracefully accepted and played an.
other piece admirably. A solo by Miss
Emma Whitney was delight to all, T.
A. Ecksteine recited snake the Best oil
Everything" Wesley Swenson and
Fred White played beautifully upon the
either and guitar.
i The two principal features of the even
ing program were paper by Mrs. Irene
g. Adams, ''The Agricultural Snare
and speech by j. s. Trigg on "The So
cial Status of the Iowa Farmer" 'frhe
Agricultural Snare, which proved to be
the nom de plume of the agricultural
fair, was dealt with in mastery man
ner, voicing the sentiment OF more thar
one fair minded citizen that our fairs
should be more of an educational influence
instead of having debasing tendency.
MORNING SESSION
| Opened with "Blessed Be the Tie Thai
Binds" followed with prayer by Rev
Lane.
| Topic, Culture Prosperity of the Sheer
Breeder" by Magnus Leslie. This ad
dress had numerous good points. HI
thinks sheep properly kept and cared
for will make larger returns equally az
quick as any other specially on the farm
He believes in letting the politicians
carry on the tariff war, while the farmer
peaceably vies with his neighbor in thu
increased production of that breed which
best combines wool and mutton. II yor
are not already sheep man, make {
small investment in that line and edu
cate yourself up to the business. A dis
cussiop of general interest followed, with
good paper by J. E. Doolittle and 6
speech by j. n. Smith equally good, de
veloping many good points ip sheep cnl
ture. .
An address by j. s. Trigg on the law
tn diversity proved one OF the finest fea
res of the institute.
j Solo by Mrs. M. M. Moon.
ofMr. Edison Gaylord of Nora Springs
gave an address on orcharding in til.