The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-13
FLOWING CONTEST.
Ninth Annual Event of the Allen
County Flowing Club.


Special TO the indianapolis Journal.
FORT WAYNE, Ind, Nov. 12.-The ninth
annual blowing competition of the Flowing
Club of Washington and ST. Joseph town.
ships. of Allen county, held Nov. on
the farm OF John Goegline, six miles from
Fort Wayne. Seventeen entered the con-
test in the following classes: Mems class,
walking plows. 13; boys class, walking
plows. 3; riding pillow class 1. Each operator
was required TO open land by turning three
back burrows and blowing one-half acre be-
tween a. m. and 5 p. m. All the con-
testants came within the time limit, and
some very excellent blowing was done. The
first prize was won by Scotchman, who
scored 96la points. The scale used in judg-
ing the blowing was as follows: Furrow,
So points; finish, 20 points; start. 10 points;
end, 10 points, total, 100 points. The educa-
tional value of these contests is very great,
as shown by the improved work of those
who have entered the competition from year
to year. 1t would be an excellent thing for
other localities in the State to organize
blowing clubs for their value as a training
scho in the art OF blowing.
A hurried inspection was made in COM
pany with the superintendent, Alexander
Johnson, OF the Home for Feeble-minded
Herewith. Intelligence, goodwill. eXecu-
tive ability and good business methods are
everywhere manifest.
The grounds Immediately about the home
are being steadily improved from year to
year by the planting Of useful and orna-
mental deciduous and evergreen trees and
shrubs, most of which are propagated in
the nursery connected with the grounds.
The farm speaks volumes for the in.elli-
gence of its management. The general air
of thrift and enterprise Is very encouraging
to note The necessity Of exercising the
most rigid economy has compelled Mr..
johnson to erect some buildings smaller
than would be best for the sanitary con-
dition of the stock. The buildings are, how
ever we'll planned, with view TO the COM
plete utilization of the space afforded. The
dairy herd. which is a mixed one. composed
largely or pure and graded HOlStein cows.
with sprinkling of Jersey and Shorthorn
blood, has many very credtable specimens
in 1t; ard the milk records will discount the
results obtained on most of the farms In
| the State. Considering the fact that the
great bulk of the work of the farm is per-
formed by the inmates of the institution
| the showing is a very gratifying one. The
and economical management of its Home
| for Predetermined.
The feeble-minded youth gathered to-
gether in this institution (and there are
rearly 700 of them) are well care for and
well taught. Their health is carefully
looked after.and ample provision is made for
games, entertainments, holidays and outings.
An earnest effort is made to keep the chill
dren constantly in happy frame of mind by
succession of interesting events. which
are scattered throughout the entire year.
The children have hardly ceased talking
over the last event when their minds are
drawn cut I'm pleased expectancy toward the
| next one The home is certainly an adj
mirable place for children whom Dame
Nature has not endowed with full mental
| capacity. The plans of the able superin-
tendent for the future development of the
nome deserve the careful consideration not
| only OF phiantEropists. but of the tax
| payers and the lawmakers.