Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-01-20
GRANOT FARMERS MEET
Two Big Days in st. Louis Tues
day and Wednesday
ROUNDUP At BATTLE CREEK
The Date Is Set for February % to
March 3-Deleqates Appointed
to Attend.

A two DAYS session of the Grauot |
County Farmers Institute opened IN
St. Louis Tuesday morning. The word |
had been passed around for some time
ahead of the meeting, but when the pro-
gram came out III the RECORD and some |
of the other county papers, it looked too
good TO let pass.
The program began at 9;45 n. m. and
long before that hour the farmers began
TO arrive in sleighs filled with men,
women and children.
President VIM. T. Pitt, of Seville,
opened the morning session with few
appropriate remarks, welcoming the
many friends and members of the
Institute. He said in part a. follows;
Ladies and Gentlemen
Citizens of St. Louis and Farmers of
Gratiot County.
In the way of Introductory remarks
let me say, this meeting, rs we'll as all OF
our state institute meetings for the
purpose of aiding and educating the
! farmers along certain lines that will assist
him in growing better crops. better stock,
better fruit, and bring him i'll closer
touch with his vocation and business
associates. and let the world know that
| he is a man among men, and should have
! Just as much 10 say about things that
pertains 10 his interest and welfare as
men of any other calling
Many farmers are apt TO take things as
they come without trying to change con-
ditions that would better themselves and
their surroundings. / believe the time
is ripe for farmers TO wake up and look
out for their own interests; do not de
mend ON others TO do il for YOU, for II
Won do YOU will surely be left i'll the
background. WHY don't the farmers
unite and stand by one another for their
interests as other men DO.
There is no sense in one farmer on one
side of the fence pulling one way and his
nciehbor across the street pulling IN the
opposite direction-fnd ont where your
interests are, then pull together.
This is an age OF combinations III every
thing and the only way TO get even, in
my Judgment. is by organization.
Organize a farmers club, or grange, II
there are none in your vicinity, get your
neighbors TO Join, bGng up matters FOR
discussion that YOU are all interested IN
and that will assist YOU IN your business.
Study the conditions of the soil OF your
farm. Find out what crops II Is adapted
to. and work accordingly. Take your
county paper daily paper and maga-
zines, take two or three good agricultural
papers and read them carefully, accept
the good, but do not depend OF them
entirely, for papers like individuals are
not iniallable.
Read the reports sent out from the eX-
pertinent stations, and YOU will gain a
lot of useful information along the differ
ent lines of farming, stock raising and
horticultural. Last but not least, remem-
Der this adage. that force 10 succeed must
have a thought behind it.
He was followed by that most
interesting speaker. Colon G.. Lille. OF
Coopersville, who gave much helpful
information on the subject assigned him.
Maintaining Soil Fertility" The dis
cuSsions led by Ernest Allen, OF Elmer
son. and George Johnson were interest
ing and instructive and the subject
Corn, the King of Crops by j. w
Hutchins. was handled i'll Il way which
; showed much knowledge and observa
ton.
Bv this time many were casting shy
glances at placard which hung i'll {
I conspicuous place and read "A warm
c dinner at G.. A. r. hall, for benefi
J Ladies' Aid Society," so the meeting
4 adjourned till the afternoon session al
5 / o'clock.
Standing room was at a premium il
Hart's hall after dinner, and many wer'
, obliged TO stay outside part of the time
Good sleighing and a clear, warm day
) brought an attendance much larger than
anticipated by President Pitt; some
: coming from distance of twelve ol
: fourteen miles.
G The question box was in charge of G
I G. Lille and he found it full and thei
It some But he was just as full of infor
il nation as the box was of questions, an'
every one received an intelligent, com
Ir prehensive answer.
Secretary Geo. Lake then announce
10 that paper would be passed for a
>, who wished TO join the society To sign
= and also stated that the annual due
:, had been reduced from 25 cents TO ]
, cents
The audience was completely capt
waited with the music by the Wilso
children Their singing was very cleve
u and they were repeatedly encored.
"The Sugar Beet Industry from tll
d Farmers Standpoint" was assigned
&c G. G. Lille. and he said, Il believe
e, sugar bcets. / have demonstrated tht
I, beets pay on my own farm, and | kno'
/, Of other farms where they have pai
4. better than on mine. Every acre pu
ld into sugar bects will lessen just thu
much the acreage for other cereal
II which are altogether too low in pric
and will therefore tend 10 keep up cerc
. prices Every acre of beets raised L.
:, step in the right direction, and we shoul
produce every pound of sugar consume
i'm the Uuited States Mr.. Lille col
as sidered the beet tops alone worth 81
10 - per acre, and suggests that beets
planted twenty eight inches apart, new
~ closer, and If you don't get them in b