The true northerner., 1899-02-01

1t was a success.
The 14th annual meeting of the Van
Buren, County Farmers Institute asso-
citation, held in the opera house in this
village last week, was largely attended,
interesting and profitable.
At the opening session Wednesday
forenoon, there were no papers, but
there was lively discussion of the ques-
ton. "Are Farmers ProsperousY" While
the discussion had nothing of politics in
it, it was easy to guess the partisan in
clinations of the various speakers by the
views expressed. A. c. Glidden opened
the discussion, the prosperity of mining
and manufacturers being his line of
thought. Edison Woodman followed,
and deplored the lack of prosperity
among farmers. N. w. Lewis and Eras-
tus Osborn spoke, the latter denying that
there is any prosperity at present! j. j.
Woodman saw some prosperity in the
fact that he had sold his wool the last
season for % cents, as against 8 cents
the year before. Thos. Tuckey and T..
A. Lampson testified as to prosperity in
the fruit industry, and G.. f.. Robinson
spoke of the fact that more mortgages
are being discharged than recorded.
John Cook intimated that many were
discharged by foreclosure, although it is
fact Johnny may not know it) that
such discharges" do not enter into sta
tistics of this character. While there
was much said on both sides of the ques-
ton, the fact remains unchanged that
all classes of people in the United States
are to-day enjoying a fair measure Of
plenty and prosperity, even if some pessi-
mists do fail to recognize it.
At the opening of the afternoon ses-
sion, j. w. Free, president of the village,
welcomed the institute to Paw Paw.
President Geo. l.. Rich of the association
made an appropriate response.
John Cook of Decatur read a paper on
How to Raise Corn" Mr.. Cook is a
successful and practical farmer, and his
suggestions were listened to with in
terest. He said the lack of fertility owing
to the loss of the clover crop had in his
locality, made it necessary to adopt an
entire new system in raising corn. He
had the past season planted In drills ten
! feet apart by four feet in the row, and
had some stalks on the platform and
basket of ears. He was so we'll suited
with the result that next season he will
try it on larger scale. He recommended
deep culture when the corn was small.
Edison Woodman favored late planting,
Thos. Tuckey surface culture, q. h.
Prater and David Woodman thought
corn crops, not so good late years as
formerly, the latter favoring deep culture
and fall plowing. Geo. l.. Rich thought
shallow culture the best on muck land.
Rowland Place of Lawrence thought as
good corn could be raised now as ever,
and he had a big crop last season,
four feet apart. Others took part in the
discussion, and no doubt the experience
meeting" was profitable.
Interesting papers and discussions on
"How to Raise Hay" and Driven Wells"
completed the afternoon program.
The opera house was packed at the
evening session, which was opened by
vocal chorus from the Up-to-Date Farm
ers' club, who sang several selections
during the evening in very creditable
style.
The first paper of the evening was an
excellent one by Mr.. II. Il. Jennings on
Farmers Clubs" Which he believed in
fully as a means to the social and intel
lectual advantage of farmers and their
wives. He spoke of the different things
In the way of programs, etc, that go to
make up the successful club, and of many
home pleasures and advantages of the
| E.. ~f 70 fnl
led by Mrs Mamie Shaefer and partic
ipated in by A. G.. Glidden, Hon. j. j.
Woodman, John Cook, Mrs. j, j. Wood
man and f.. p. Mills.
Will Barton gave an entertaining reci-
tation.
The paper on the program on ''Womens'
Clubs" had not been prepared, but dis
cussion of their value was opened by
Mrs l. M. Burk of the Coterie, Paw Paw.
G. w. Reynolds Though he's not mem
Der of a woman's club, says he's subject
to one) followed in a humorous talk that
brought down the house. Further dis
cussion was had by John Cook, Mrs.
Emma Smith and Mrs. j. j. Woodman.
} THURSDAY,
The institute opened with lively dis
cusson of the Kimmis salary bill, led by
w. G. Wildey, who explained the pro-
visions of the measure. That the salary
system is preferred by the farmers instead
} of the largely prevailing fee system, was
evidenced by the resolutions passed later
. in the convention.
Avery instructive paper on "The Butter
Factory" was read by G. Il. Robinson.
, who, like most farmers who have had
/, creamery experience, believes well con-
!. Quoted factory is of positive benefit to
] the farmers. An interesting discussion
I followed.
, At the opening of the afternoon ses-
+ sion, the following officers were elected;
! President, Mulford Buskirk of Paw Paw
+ vice president, Mrs. Emma Smith of Paw
D Paw; secretary and treasurer, Frank r.
e Rood of Covert.
|. RESOLUTIONS.