The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-03-03

After piano solo by Mrs. Boyd, w
w. Farnsworth spoke in an entertaining
and instructive way about Maintaining
the Fertility of the Soil. No matter how
good the varieties, implements and cul-
tivation, we must have good soil. The
fertility must he maintained, or in other
words, made available. Plant food is
naturally found in all Michigan and
Ohio soil. Most soil called exhausted
contains plant food, but not in "A readily
available form.
Some of the helps in bringing such
land to fertility are: l. Drainage, so
that air may enter the soil. 2. Tillage.
to retain sufficient moisture. Plant
roots can only take up food when dis
solved in, a certain amount OF water,
But the main branch OF the subject is
feeding the soil This is an easy prob
lem for stock men, but fruit growers
generally do not keep much stock. 1t
is cheaper to grow fertility by means of
crops to pillow under than to buy it, The
main thing is to provide humus in che
soil.
A piece of enjoyable music was given
by an orchestra composed of Messrs.
Foxford, Eaton and Taylor and Mrs.
Eaton; this was encored.
Things We Need was the subject of
o. w. Rowland's paper, which was en-
Enthusiastically received and a motion car
ried to have it published in The True
Northerner. The paper will be found
elsewhere in this issue.
After this paper it was announced that
the M. c. Il. r. will not renew their con.
tract with the Armour Car Co., but will
furnish their own refrigerator cars.
This, if true, is step in the right direc.
ton.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
The meeting opened with discussion
of various questions Girdling trees is
said to sometimes cause shy bearing
trees to set more fruit. In answer to a
call for a list of the best peaches to grow,
these varieties were mentioned: Early
st. John, Engle's Mammoth, Kalamazoo,
Gold Drop, Smock. Late Barnard and
Salway are valuable, but the Elberta is
not "A success in this locality Sixty to
SO buds should be left on grape vines.
Mr.. Munson thinks it pays to pack
grapes in the field.
The committee on resolutions made a
report which was adopted. A resolution
was included demanding that Congress
secure laws regulating corporations and
giving more power to the interstate com
MERGE commission
The committee on exhibits reported a
good show of flowers and apples, for
which they extended thanks
w. w. Farnsworth told about the
Growing of Small Fruits. Abundant
moisture is even more necessary than
for trees; also a supply of plant food. A
sandy ioam is the best soil. For straw
berries he advocated late fall blowing
then work the soil as early as possible in
the spring. Cultivate Immediately after
setting. Take plants from new bed
and pick off all blossoms the first year
The currant requires a rich soil and
should be spray ed early with Bordeaux
mixture and Paris green.
The raspberry should also be sprayed
Run the rows east and west; they are
not so liable to blow down
The speaker would not advise any ner-
vous person to engage in the raising of
small fruit; it requires much tact and
patience to manage so many pickers, and
there is great deal Of work about 1t
which should be reduced to a minimum.
There was then a spirited discussion
as to the value of commercial fertilizers,
which was cut short for lack of time,
many members and officers having to
/ leave on the four o'clock train.
! The meeting was a decided success
and no fruit grower could attend with
out benefit.