Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1901-03-06
THE FARMERS INSTITUTE
AT BURR OAK A BIG SUCCESS
A Large Crowd Attends Each Session
and joins 10 the Many Inter-
esting Discussions.

interesting and profitable meetings of
the Winnesheik County Farmers In
stitute ever held was the one which
closed at Burr Oak last Wednesday
evening. There was large attendance
at each session, and Tuesday evening
some had to be turned away, as there
was not even standing room enough.
The first topic on Tuesday afternoon,
EARN Prosperity. Should its evidence
first appear in barn, stock, machinery,
or in the home'' was taken up with
vim and discussed fully by John Win.
gate, Thos. Rice, G. B. Pike and 10.
Trigg, the sentiment being that pros
perity should first be evident in the
home.
One of the longest and best discus
sions of the program was that on the
subject us the culture of flax adapted
to our soil, and is it profitable crop
to raise?" Messrs. Glice, Wipgate,
Reed, Trigg and others made interest
ing remarks on the topic, and the dis
cussion as to whether flax was exhaust
i've to the soil was thoroughly followed,
the general belief being that it is. 1t
was brought out that in the northwest
ern part of the county it was a common
crop, and was pretty generally used for
toning down too rich land for small
grain. Flax straw was considered of
less value than any other, except when
near tow mill, where it could be read
lily sold. 1t should not be sown on the
same soil oftener than once in seven
years.
Rev. ]. Ridley gave an excellent talk
on 1.-THE farmers Garden" with many
splendid pointers for planting garden
and the different kinds of vegetables
and fruit to raise. o. L. Street also
followed with an interesting talk.
Next came a discussion on "Does it
pay to feed condimental foods," be-
tween II. L. Coffeen for the affirmative
and DIR. s. s. Whitbeck for the mega
tive. The discussion waxed warm and
each brought out many strong points
for his side, while the opponent endea-
vored to disprove them. The argu-
ment was productive Of much good just
at this time of SO many food agents,
and a large majority Of the farmers
seemed to be of the opinion that the
general use OF these foods was not prof.
liable.
The evening session attracted an aud.
ience of over four hundred, said to be
the largest gathering Of it's kind in re-
cent yeal 9, and there was q large num-
ber who were unable to be admitted
into the hall. The program was one
of special interest and was thoroughly
enjoyed by all. After an address by A.
J. Cratsenberg and response by J. 8.
Trigg, Of Rockford, came series OF
exercises by the Burr Oak public schools
which were highly appreciated and
heartily applauded. Besides the chill
dren's exercises was an address by J,
s. Trigg, a well rendered solo by Mrs,
DIR. Emmons, an address by III. l.,
COffeen, farce, "Hans Won Smash, u
and s. f. Brickner read q paper by
Abe Jones.
On Wednesday morning the question
of the best method of preparing corn
fodder for stock brought out u lively
discussion, led by Thos. Rice, j. Me
Millin, Nj. ID. Whitney, j. s. Trigg and
J. Wingate. The silo was placed al
the head of all methods in value fol
this purpose, aud 1t was argued that q
man keeping dairy cows aud young
stock, could Ill afford to be without
one. Other methods were discussed
but the general opinion was that the
silo could not be equalled, when econ
omy and relative feeding methods wert
taken into consideration.
The topic (Which is the most profit
able. feeding cattle for beef or diary
ing" was discussed pro and con b,