Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-01-20

Agricultural Educati6n-The Raising of
swine-Advantages and Necessity of the
Tniers of the Soil Organizing-A Profta-
BILE Meeting.
The mem bers of the Farmers in
stitute met in the town hall at Port
Byron Wednesday last. according to
announcement; but there being I fun
eral of one of its citizens an adjourn
ment was taken until the afternoon
session, which was opened with pray
err by Rev. A. Harper, after which the
gathering was entertained by the
playing of march upon the organ
by Miss Edna Crompton. There was
an address of welcome by Rev. j. +.
Willard, the chief point of which was
that the farmers were welcome TO
Port Byron because they were not
only the followers of the oldest and
most important avocation of life, but
that we simply could not live without
them. NJ. ID. Hau berg then instructed
the gathering how to be successful at
fruit raising. He advised clean cul-
ture as of the greatest Importance;
thorough cultivation so as to keep
out the blue grass; and in marketing
apples. don't put poor apples at the
bottom of the barrel and top off with
the choicest fruit; don't set your or
chard on too rich ground, or upon
land which is too sandy. Mr.. Hau-
berg said his orchard was only 4
small one, vet it was more remunera-
tive than any other portion of his
flrm, and the most profitable apple
with him was the snow apple.
Berries and Grapes.
Eli Corbin then addressed the gath
ering, his topic being Berries and
Grapes He said every farmer, to
say the least, should raise sufficient
small fruits for his own family.
Grapes do the best upon sandy soil.
Plant in the longest rows possible
and cultivate with horse. Straw
| berries should be planted about is
inches apart, and should receive
Thorough, but shallow cultivation,
and the ground should be thoroughly
mulched in the fall. Raspberries
should be planted in rows about 81
feet apart, running north and south.
The Snyder is the most prolific black
berry we have. Mr.. Corbin having
brought a grape vine, gave an object
cut back, which was quite interesting.
Pears, Plums and Peaches" was
the next topic, but w. G. Wilson not
being present, other speakers took up
the subject.
Secretary b. F. Fountaine here gave
Il lengthy report as delegate to
| the state institute, showing and eX-
planning the object of the different
appropriations. He stated that there
was very interesting discussion on
beet culture, showing that we have
| the climate and soil in the United
States that is well adapted to the
raising and making of all the sugar
we need for our own use. There was
considerable criticism and censure
upon the use made of the different
appropriations of state funds.
Evening Session.
The evening session was opened
with a duet by Mr.. Johnson and Miss
Clara Zollinger. During the evening
two humorous recitations were given
bv Clarence Walthers, in the first of
which he initiated the barking of a
dog, the Growing of a rooster, the
cackling of a hen, the bleating of a
sheep, granting of the hog and the
squealing of the pigs, leaving the
stage whistling Yankee Doodle. "
The title of the other recitation was
Il Be so Glad That l Vas Here To-
night Prof. S. NJ. Coddington, of
the Port Byron High school, read 4
paper on Agricultural Education, -
the drift of which was pointing out
the duty of the parent to the child,
. he hn In
swer to the question, How may the
schools in the rural districts be i'm
proved?i he said: First, employ
GOOD oh n