The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-03-14
TALkSTO FARMERS
Practical Pointers on Agricul.
turaI Subjects.
Experts Employed by the State Con.
duct a Well Attended Institute
in This City.

Saturday was well attended and result
ed in much good to those who were
present at the sessions. A number OF
practical talks were given by members
of the institute corps, who are experts
in their respective lines. The Free
Press is able to give a brief synopsis
of some of these, as follows:
Mr.. Fairfield of. Iowa, Opened the
session Friday with an interesting
talk on potato raising. His talk was
illustrated with drawings of the tools
which he used to cultivate the crop
and handle it with. He explained
fully the preparation of the potato for
seed purposes. Uses common case
knife ground down thin to cut the
potato with Plants in drill one piece
in place. Plows the ground early in
the fall, as early in September as pos
sible so as to get a growth in the fall.
This keeps the moisture in the ground.
Has harrow in field, and at noon
and at night stops blowing early
enough to harrow what he has plowed.
Also harrows thoroughly after plant
ing and keeps the ground clean, and
this gives bountiful crop. Flows deep,
plants on the bottom of the furrow.
Plants as early in the spring as they
can miss the frosts. Said if seed was
properly cared for and selected, the po-
tato would never run out.
He was followed by Prof. Johnnett
ton with song on the potato and po-
tato bug.
Following this Mr.. Terry of Ohio
addressed the farmers on small fruits.
Said he wondered how many farmers
had trawberry beds. He asked those
who had to hold up their hands and
five responded. He said he wondered
what would become of the others.
Wished he could induce every farmer
to put out bed this spring. If they
would a year from next June they
! would have all the berries they want
ed. He said there was no fruit as
healthy as strawberries and they
should be grown in plenty. There is
no reason why every farmer should moi
have them for at least four weeks He
related how he served them up at hii
home.
| He was followed bv Mrs. Hayes Of
st. Paul with a song most beautifully
rendered.
Mr.. Van Dresser of New York mex
gave talk on the dairy cow. Said h,
had great confidence in the dairy cow
because she had paid for part a
least of his farm. Paid a glowing
tribute to the possibilities Of Mime
sofa for dairying. With its fine, nutri
tious grasses it is able to make thu
finest butter. Minnesota took the frs
prize at the Paris exposition, and a
the Pan American exposition it wrest
ed the glory from York state and it
butter takes the best price in the New
York market
Briefly gave his experience in get
ting hold of a farm. Started with hi
brother. Had 33 COWS, but they wer
scrub cows There was hard worl
and small returns and work as hard a
they might they could not max
money enough to pay the interest upo
the mortgage and after three year
they were obliged to sell the herd @
scrubs and borrowing some NOR
money purchased some thorough
bred stock. With the blood
ed stock they prospered. They re
sponded to the care given them. Th
mortgage was lifted and the farm fu1
ther improved.
He made strong plea for intelliger
work on the farm. The soil shout
be titled intelligently. He asked ths
farmers give their sons a chance. Edu
, cate them so that they in turn may ii
the soil intelligently. There is no VI
cation that gives better returns upo
the investment made and care exel
? cised.
: Mrs. Hayes favored the audient
with another selection much to tt
pleasure of al.
Mr.. Henry next followed with tal
upon an evergreen wind break. {
spoke of the advantage gained fro
such wind break. There is nothir
that will as effectively take the
a place. There is common belief tn
: they are Of slow growth. Did n
o think they we're. His experience w
to the contrary. Set out a row s
d years ago, and the trees are now son
n twelve feet high, and quite an effe
9 tive wind break. Shou
q prepare the ground we'll before plan
o ing. Use as much care as you do f
> planting onions Get trees from nea
v est nurseries. Can get just as go
d trees in Minnesota as elsewhel
IL Should get rrees that have been tran
" planted once or twice in the nurser
K Plant about 8 feet apart. Mig
% mulch with straw that has be
tramped down in the barnyard. B
20 believed good cultivation was bette
!, Sets them out Immediately after see
, ing. Prefers to set them out on
ID cloudy day. Set them out in drizzli
rain is best. This is disagreed
work, but it pays nevertheless. Rot
must not be exposed to the sun. I
Scotch pine and Norway spruce
is the best.
" Mr.. Mexican followed with a ia
90 anon oor, eo5dor Said the corn ola