Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1902-01-23

The Fourth Annual Farmers Institut
at Williamstown opened in the Town Hal
at 2 O'Clock on Monday last. FRANKLIN
Dye called the meeting to order and choi
lsang Stay on the Farm. y
i Rev. J. r. Downer made the opening ad
dress, in which he briefly elaborated three
propositions: Effort for self and others il
the best incentive to human progress; pos
session for self and others
he who does best for self does best fol
others. It is the lot of the farmer to work
for others; he is looked to to feed the
world, but the time has gone by when he
can produce all he wants. We are here
to-day to learn how to do the work for
others in the best way; we have learned
that markets can never be overstocked with
superior products. The speaker made a
local reference to the truth of the last
statement, citing cranberry grower, M. M.
Chew, who put his crop up in condition
that insured constant demand at greatest
profit.
| Prof. E. B. Voorhees, being confined to
his home by illness, Mr.. Dye ably discussed
his subject, "Soil Formation and Require
ments for Best Results He said the soil
was place to anchor the plant, to afford
receptacle for plant food and reservoir to
store water. The farmer is not so depend
emit upon showers as he often thinks he is if
he knew how to make the soil reservoir
for water that fell at other seasons. Soil is
the disintegration Of rock, process that
has been going on for centuries. Soils vary
not only in texture and quality, but in
plant food. We have learned, with the aid
Of chemists, what the plants require. The
method of cultivation is dependent upon
the humus- vegetable plant food-in the
soil. Soil in its best condition is living
thing. To get such soil we must have
plant food. He deprecated the practice of
allowing land to lie barren all winter; put
ON cover of rye or clover or some such
crop to turn under in the spring. The
successful farmer, as soon as he takes out a
crop, puts the cultivator in and prepares
the soil for crop of rye to hold the plant
food.
How are we going to determine what our
soil lacks? he asked, and answered it by
advising the farmers of Monroe to turn
their farms into experimental stations,
keeping record Of results of every kind
of treatment and you will soon find out
just what is best for your soils. He re-
quested farmers to send postal to the
State Bureau for formulas for crop foods.
He advised the purchase of good seeds,
and advised farmers to buy trees of persons
they could ssget back at, " rather than those
thousand miles away.
Pastor Krouse spoke briefly on the theory
Of the formation of the earth's surface.
Secretary Dye made an interesting address
on Encouragements to Agricultural
Work" He noted among the many en-
couragements less free public lands, caused
by the tide Of immigration. ''The markets
of the country are to be extended, offering
the farmer many more advantages in the
East and West. Population is rapidly in
creasing and the consumption of products
is greater.
''The insect troubles and other obstacles
known as the enemies to the work are an
encouragement, because they challenge
intelligence. The man who studies will
win in the end, and the farmer is advancing
along the lines of scientific and practical
work. The farm is the best place to make
character and show individuality.
''The country is the best place to succeed
The cities are overcrowded with struggling
humanity. Few men attain prominence in
the cities. ~