The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-01-20
FARMERS INSTITUTE.
Interesting Sessions Held at Almena Last
Saturday.

Saturday, though lightly attended, was
a very enthusiastic one.
r. M. Wait of Almena acted as chair
man and proved to be well suited to the
place.
The morning session was attended by
so small number OF people and they
were so late in getting started that only
one topic was discussed, "Improving the
Highways
N. p. Hull of Dimondale gave an in
teresting and instructive talk on this
subject and slight discussion followed,
after which they adjourned for dinner.
In the afternoon larger crowd OF
people was in attendance.
Il. A. Farrand of the South Haven ex-
pertinent station opened the session with
a short but interesting speech on keep
ing up the Fertility of the Farm"
He gave an instructive scientific des-
cription of the contents of the soil. He
does not believe that commercial fertil-
izer is the best treatment for the soil,
being lacking in the all important humus
so necessary to the growth of plant life.
He suggested that one OF the best
methods to fertilize worn out soil is to
pillow under red clover, which will fur
nish large amount of humus.
The discussion opened briskly, Chair
man Wait stating that on the old pion-
eer farms of Almena the soil Is so worn
out that crop of clover could not be
started, and he asked the speaker to ex-
plain the method of starting it.
Mr.. Farrand said that in his opinion
sowing rye or oats and turning them I'M
der would prove to be the most effect
i've.
Rev. l. P. Bates, one Of the oldest pion-
GERS of this county, suggested that on
light soil, if clover is sown about Sep
TENDER /, good crops will be the result.
He stated that this had been his plan
for the last three years and that he had
received good returns.
Mr.. Hull gave a number of points on
this topic. He said that it is positive
fact that one-half of the fertilizer which
is available on the farm is not used, but
is allowed to waste on a large majority
of farms. He gave several illustrations
which had come within his knowledge,
emphasizing his remarks in way that
forced conviction upon his hearers.
M. j. Coy Of Paw Paw also took part
in the discussion and gave another illus
tration which carried force.
clarifying as Business" was the next
subject and it was made most interest
ing by n. p. Hull. He has large dairy
at his home 10 Dimondale and spoke
from experience.
His dairy is run on a common sense
plan and each COW is attended with great
care, the feed and milk being weighed,
SO that he can tell at any time the profit
which is being derived from any one
COW.
He divides cows into three classes and
endeavors to keep only the second class
on his farm. His division is one which
should be useful to all farmers in select
ing their own stock. His first class is
composed of those COWS which put the
product of the food on their backs, the
second of those which give the product
in milk and the third of those n which
mo one knows where the product goes"
He said that the care of the cows is
one Of the most important points in pro-
ducing profit. The COWS should be milk
ed regularly and great care taken in
feeding.
Mr. Hull is an interesting speaker,
being full of illustrations and stories
which keep the audience at attention,
and he puts points before the people in
manner which makes them think
In the discussion which followed, Mr.
Hull gave it as his opinion that the Hol-
stein COW will give the largest amount
of milk, and he said that at his dairy
the Holstein is the predominating breed
George l.. Rich of Glendale, the only
officer of the institute who was present,
took an active part in all of the discus
sions.
L. A. Farrand then gave a talk which
was full of points on "Smal Fruits for
Profit"
He believes that gooseberries and cur
rants are profitable crops. being easily
kept aud shipped long distances. On
the whole, however, he seems to lean
toward strawberries as his favorite for a
profitable investment and gave a good
description of their growth and care
He said that close attention should be
paid to the setting of rows, too closely
set rows producing small, Improbable
berries. Mulching in winter, he thinks
is good treatment.
He believes the Cumberland is the
best variety of black raspberries and the
Cuthbert the best red variety. He gave
his experiences at the experiment sta
ton which were interesting and full of
useful points.
An enthusiastic discussion followed
which gradually led to a discussion OF
the creamery, in which great interest was
shown.
Mr.. Hull then finished the afternoon
session by stating that bill had been
put before congress which was intended
to lower the tax on oleomergarine, and
urged the farmers who are interested in
butter making to write to their congress.
man asking his Encouragement of the
reduction of this tax, which would great
ly reduce the price and make it more OF
an enemy to the butter maker.
Practically the same program was car
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