The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-04-14
Burton Farmers Club.


some time before noon with a happy and
prosperous company who left the trouble.
some problem of what to do In April when
their fields were still frozen up and the
snow was still deep In the fence corners, to
come together for social time and the dis
cussion of new ideas.
Perhaps, too, some of the visitors
thought, as they drove through alternate
mud and snOwdrifts, of the bountiful din
ner, which was nothing short of banquet
in its abundance and the variety of almost
everything conceivable in the line of things
good to eat which they we'll knew Mrs.
Hannah Mason would have ready for them
at noon. If they did, they were not disap-
pointed for a more appetizing display of
meats, sauces, jellies, salads, pies and cakes
the cakes alone would have taken the
prize at any pastry show-was never set
before hungry lot of guests. THE TINES
man is certain of this for he got there him
self in time for dinner.
The regular meeting day, the first Thurs
day in the month, had been set aside for
this meeting and the Friday following,
had been substituted in the hope that the
host, Mr. George T. Mason, would be
through with legislative duties at Lansing
in time to get home to the meeting. The
legislature, however. adopted the plan of
visiting the University that day and that
with some committee duties kept away the
host much to the regret of all.
After a short discussion and an adjourn.
nent for dinner, the president, Mrs. S.
Guilford, called the club to order at twenty
minutes after one. A selection of music
was rendered by the young people. Fred
Love and X. G. Shepard then reported Oh
the success they met with in the circua-
tion of petition for the Kimmis county
salary bill. They had secured good num-
ber of signers but had not had the time to
make any extended canvass of the county.
They reported encouragement from the
majority to whom they presented the peti
tion for signing however, though they
found some who were not in favor of it,
some even failing to see how 1t would
cheaper expenses for the counties.
The subject of how to cheaper the
cost of mutual fire insurance was then dis.
cussed to some extent. Two ways were
suggested, one to reduce the valuation of
buildings insured, a method which was not
dwelt on further, the other to decrease the
per cent paid for collection. A resolution
embodying the recommendation that the
fee for collecting premiums be reduced to
one per cent, when the collector does not
have to 60 out to collect it, while meeting
with considerable favor from members
present, was finally tabled until the next
meeting. No one, however. favored reduc-
ing the amount to be paid in any case where
the collector was obliged to go out after the
premium.
The ladies subject concerned the relative
influence on child of the mothers influence,
the power of the fathers example, or
heredity. Mrs. f. M. Shepard read an
interesting paper on this subject. She
believed the mothers influence to be great
est, certainly so during the first ten years.
The power of the fathers example was also
great and IL not for the best necessitated far
greater exertions on the mothers part
"April Work" was taken up by Messrs.
G. A. Doane, l.. s. Bowles and q. X.
Woodin, and fence repairing, cleaning out
barn yards, and tree trimming came in for
mention though M. Woodin believed 1t to
be best to leave the apple tree trimming
until later in the season to prevent rottiDg
and the undue growth of suckers.
A select reading was then given by Mrs.
Master Chauncy Woodin and Marjorie
Shepard.
Phil Shepard read very interesting mar
rative of his army experiences from his
enlistment at the Agricultural College and
subsequent trip to Chickamauga Park to
join his company in the 3lst to his dis
charge and trip home.
The Torrens System of Land Transfers
was taken up by Mr.. l.. s. Bowles who
read a sketch of the history of the Torrens
system from Its origin in Australia In 1858
up to the present time and then read a
brief of the Helme bill-Senate Bill No.
(Which Is now before our own legislature
and embodles the salient features of the
Torrens System. II the bill becomes law
1t will not be obligatory upon any one to
adopt 1t, but once adopted by any land
owner, there is no further need for abstracts
and his title becomes absolutely guaranteed
by the county which has a special fund,
created by small fee charged each owner
who takes out his title under the new
system, with which to back up its
guarantee. Space does not permit an ex-
tenslve exposition of Its merits which are
quite apparent to any one reading the alb
stract of .he bill. r. O. Shepard and @. X.
Woodin discussed the bill very briefly and
the discussion was held over until the next
meeting.
The next meeting will be held with Mr.
and Mrs. N. l.. Randall. Messrs. Love, Giles