The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1904-01-16
WORK OF FARMERS INSTITUTES.
Summary of the December Work Done
Under Auspices Of State Board.

Summary Of the December Work Done
Under Auspices Of State Board.
E. E. Kaufman, secretary of the
farmers Institutes: The conductor of
the farmers Institutes handed me
some notes regarding the December
Institutes with a request that they be
elaborated and given The Forum.
About the only change l have made
in the notes handed me by Mr.. Greeley
has been to include something of the
speakers and the various subjects
treated by them.
The farmers Institutes have been a
success from the opening meeting at
Fingal on Dec. l to the last session at
| Wahpeton Dec. 10. At times the
weather was severe and stormy, but
not a single afternoon or evening ses-
sion failed to materialize IN this &C
count. Many of the meetings were
large and the halls crowded, but in
some Of the sparsely settled sections
and a few times when the weather was
~unfavorable the attendance was small.
Even in the latter meetings those in
attendance frequently came long dis
taEces and we're not only reDHasenta-
tive farmers but representative men.
The records show that about 1,635 diff
ferent people attended the institutes,
while the total attendance at all the
sessions was nearly 3,0Q0.
The interest shown by those pres.
ent was most encouraging to the
speakers. Many questions along with
the personal and local experiences of
the farmers added much to The value
of the meetings. All kinds of stock
growing attracted much attention and
there seemed to be a general disposi-
ton to grow more of it, and breed and
feed it better.
During this series of Institutes M. F.
Greeley, editor of the Dakota Farmer,
acted as conductor and discussed the
questions of Poultry and Economical
Meat Production" On the latter sub
ject Mr.. Greeley gave particular at
tention to the growing and feeding of
sheep, believing it possible for the
North Dakota farmer to produce NUT
ton fully as cheap il not cheaper than
1t was possible to make beef or pork.
He called particular attention to the
wastefulness of allowing the sheep
feeders at South st. Paul to make
small fortunes out of North Dakota
r--~ - Ayo-kI H~1,@{ P@~
A. K. Bush of Dover, Mimi, dis.
cussed the questions of Hog Raising"
and Beef Cattle" using His own farms
at Dover, where he feeds from fifty to
one 1undred head of cattle and one
hundred head of hogs as an illustra-
ton.
The subject of DAIRY Husbandry"
was covered by L. D. Stilson of York,
Neb., a practical dairyman of that
state. Much interest was shown in
this subject at various points along
the 500 and in a few places creamery
meetings were held at the close of the
institute, with indications that, there
will be a number of creameries built
in the early spring. MI. Stilson paid
particular attention to selecting and
testing the COWS for the dairy, and
brought out the fact very clearly that
feed and care should not be neglected
IL larger profits were expected.
"The Draft Horse for the North Da-
kota Farmer" His Care and Manage
ment," was thoroughly discussed by
f. s. Delaney of Valley City. Mr.. De
Lancey is a new man in farmers insti-
tute work, but with the large fund Of
valuable information at his command
he was able to present the subject in
a pleasing and interesting manner to
the farmers. The institute board has
now made arrangements with MI. De-
Lancey to accompany the corps the
rest of the winter.
O. A. Thompson, superintendent OF
the Edgeley experiment station, dis
c,ussed the subject of Rotation of
Crops" Soil Moisture" "Tillage,"
etc. These. with Forage Crops and
Pasture Grass" seemed to be of the
Greatest interest and brought out the
most questions and experiences.
1t was also. a surprise to note the
interest in potato and corn growing,
and still a greater surprise to the In.
stitute corps to see the corn and po.
tatoes grown. Mr.. Bush. being a prac-
tical potato grower. handled his sub
ject III the best possible manner, which
v failed to elicit interest or the
part of the farmers.
At tile Minor institute MIR. Horton
reported a yield of 240 bushels to the
acre, while at a number Of meetings
yields of $50 and 200 bushels were re-
ported. In a number of instances po-
tatoes were exhibited at the institutes
that ,,.oro cinnnl.. nnrfnct hesides he.