Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-01-30
THE FARMERS INSTITUTE.
The One Day Meeting In Belding
Tuesday Was Well Attended
and Profitable Gathering.

some drawbacks. After enjoying the
finest kind of winter weather for
weeks, the weather clerk sent along a
severe cold wave just in time, but
the attendance was quite good not
withstanding. In the morning the
session was held in the parlors of Ho-
tel Belding, being more comfortable
than the Opera House.
The president, N. b. Hayes, of. Muir
presided at the sessions. The Misses
Stall, Whitford and Robinson of the
Belding High School opened with a
song, after which Mayor Ii. J Leon
ard gave an address of welcome which
was responded to by Chairman Hayes.
The topic Poultry Culture" was
handled by John f. Taylor Mr. Tay-
lor showed by statistics that the
poultry business stood high up among
the great products. He believed it
paid to breed pure bred fowls of any
breed that took one S fancy Thought
the incubator was necessary evil"
but that the people who sent ont in
cubator catalogues were a big lot Of
liars.
Mrs. E. J. Mason handled the dis
cussion in a mastery way. She
thought one cross made better layers
than full-bloods but would always
cross two breeds of the same colored
flesh. Several questions we're asked
and answered by the speakers.
The next topic: "Profits from
Sheep" was by p. B. Reynolds, the
state speaker. Mr. Reynolds wanted
nothing but thoroughbreds He would
give the sheep the best of
care through low as we'll as high
prices. Thought discrimination in
prices against Michigan woods could
be overcome by producing a better
grade and putting on the market in a
better shape Discussion by +. M
Wooldridge: His profits were usual
ly guaged by the "luck" he had rails
ing his lambs. The flock should be
seen every day. Would go among
them two or three times week, to
keep them tame and contented.
"Fruit on the General Farm" the
next topic opened by f. J Wood.
He said nearly every farm could grow
most varieties of fruit fairly well if
the right effort was made. Peaches
were the most particular as to en-
vironments. Fruit added TO the
farms value. He treated at some
length on the care of fruit. Would
plant COW peas in the orchard, harrow
down in the fall and SOW to rye
Trees made better bearers when prop
agated from bearing stock. Discus
sion led by o. A hummer: Thought
Mr.. Wood had been saving lot of
wood and he would try and split some
of it and would pile it up if he could
Liked cow-peas in young orchard,
would not do we'll in an old orchard
on account of shade Would not har-
row down in fall but let stand to hold
snow in winter, He agreed with Mr..
Wood as to the propagation Of the
tree fruits from bearing trees, but
said the law was just reversed in the
straw berry Thought every farmer
should grow fruit for family use, but
saw little hopes in trying to educate
this generation.
Feeding Hogs for Profit" was led
by John + Kohn. Mr.. Kohn claimed
TO be no expert along this line, but
nevertheless gave good sound prac-
tical talk, so did Chas. Lambertson
who followed him. The discussion
which followed was pretty lively for
several minutes.
Practical Stock Feeding" was
handled by z. b. Reynolds Evident
ly the speaker had the subject well in
hand and we wish space would allow
us to pl int it in full. T.. p. Nash, who
was to lead the discussion not being
present, general discussion followed
and many excellent points were
brought out
The secretary-treasurer PowelFs
books showed about thirty new annual
members to the society from this vi
cinity. An expression of the meet
ing was taken which was unanimous
to extend thanks to citizens who had
helped in the meeting, and particu-
larly to Mr.. w. +. Hetherington, who
had donated the use of the Opera
House for the meeting as well as ex'
tended other courtesies. Mr.. Rey'
nolds the state speaker stated in the
course of conversation that he hac
been out on institute work for about
eight weeks past, and nowhere hac
he seen such generous and courteous
treatment as they had had here. He
{ also stated that none of the one daN
Institutes had been better ATTENDED
than the one here. Much credit II
also dua yira IL. 4 oh m