The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-01-08
FARMERS INSTITUTES.
Proceedings of the Two Meetings
Held at Accident and
Oakland.
THE SESSIONS WERE LARGELY ATTENDED
And Much Interest Manifested by Those
Present-Many Valuable and Practical
Suggestions Made Upon Agricultural
Topics, stock Raising and Road Build
ing.

Topics, Stock Raising and Road Build
ing.
AT the opening of the Farmers In
stitute at Accident Monday morning
at ten O'Clock, under the auspices of
the State and conducted by Director
of Institutes, Mr.. VIM. l.. Amoss, one
hundred and sixty representative
farmers and stock raisers of Accident
and vicinity were present.
Mr.. Amoss, s. H. Todd and f. A.
Converse, who were previously adver-
tised to speak, were in attendance
and the sessions throughout were of
an interesting and instructive nature.
In opening the session Mr.. Amoss
made few appropriate remarks,
showing that farmers's clubs work
well in many counties and should be
organized in every county. He also
read a portion of the law instituting
the farmers societies.
Mr.. s. H. Todd, of Ohio, treated the
subject, should the Farmer use
Cross bred or Pure bred Stock for the
General Market?' His argument is
strongly in fayo' of selecting the best
grade stock on the female side, then
select the best thoroughbred sire for
the special purpose they desire to put
on the market. This holds good with
regard to the raising of cattle, sheep
and hogs. His experience has been
that the best cross is the Marine and
Schropshire, and with his cross-bred
received the first prize in a fat lamb
show. Canadians were his competi-
tors. He also was successful in get
ting fine prizes in the swine show
with his cross-bred, namely, Poland
China and improved Ohio Chester.
The argument in favor of cross breed
ing is that it brings the most strong
and prolific animals.
Mr.. F. A. Converse took up the sub
ject Use of Commercial Fertilizers"
His argument is that our soils have a
sufficient amount of mineral element
to produce good crops if it can be
drawn to the crop. By keeping of
cattle on the farm to bring up the fer
tility of the soil keep more stock on
the same acres. In many parts of
New York they keep a COW one year
on one acre of ground. He is positive
that manure can be best utilized by
taking it fresh from the stable and
spreading it directly on the ground
where the next crop is to be raised.
Plant growth shows IA sickly condi-
ton for lack of proper available plant
food, particularly nitrogen. Find out
what the soil needs and then supply
it, Must not depend too much on
commercial fertilizers Cover or catch
crops should be grown to put nitrogen
in the soil. Glover and COW peas are
the most legume crops to pillow under
Well pulverized soil and often stirred
is the only method to conserve the
moisture. Light moisture and heat
is necessary to produce crop. Good
commercial fertilizers can be protita-
bly, used as starting a crop in the alb
sence of yard manure. Broadcast all
fertilizers and mix we'll with the soil.
Multiply the of nitrogen by 3, add
the soluble phosphoric acid and act
ual potash. The result will represent
the dollars that can he paid for the
fertilizer per ton.
MONDAY AFTERNOON SESSION.
Question. Answered by Nr. Con
verse: Lime will modify the acids in
the soil; also bring the fertilizer in the
soil into immediate plant food and
will exhaust the soil if the rotation of
crops are not followed.
Mr.. Todd says lambs are greatly
benefited by giving cows milk and
showed a special arrangement to feed
lambs, which is claimed to be far su-
perior to the bottle in feeding lambs.
Mr.. Todd took up the next subject,
The Importance of Securing Seed
and keeping it through the Winter to
insure perfect growth of every Germ. ="
Seed should be gathered early in the
season, then well dried and placed
where it will not freeze. Potatoes
should be carefully stored during the
winter to insure perfect growth. Be
sure to have good garden with an
abundance of vegetables grown in it
to supply the table and in this con-
nection to locate the garden so that
it can be cultivated with the horse
hoe. Garden seeds need especial care.
Subject, "Crop Rotation" discus
sed by f. A. Converse. Three years
rotation IS recommended, but in New
York he runs the four year rotation.
The rotation should be clover, corn,
potatoes, oats and peas. Selling the