Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-03-15
Farmers Institutes.

tt has been intimated that something writ
ten in reference to the benefit of farmers In
stitutes, by some of the laity might be profit
able as reply to the many addresses made
in the institutes as to how they benefit the
farmer.
A school tor the public without cost to the
hearers on subjects of 80 much Importance
to farm life, made by those who haye the
experience and probably have made their
subjects a matter OF study and experience,
are generally of much importance even
though but little attention apparently Is
given them.
Compare the farmers institute of fifteen
wears ago with those of today and then also
remember the conditions of agriculture fif-
teen years ago, and at once difference ap-
pears Modern machinery and modern ways
of doing things are apparent. More atten-
ton is given to better methods of farming
and care of stock, fruit, hay and tillage OF
the ground, and results are in many instances
surprising. The men also who do not read
have well nigh ceased TO be heard with a
loud voice that book farming is no good. 1t
is more than evident that better time tor
farmers Is coming If they will only heed and
help to boom the business.
Farmers Institutes are more in demand
and much better instruction may be had by
reason of the investigation of the different
experiments made by the experimental sta
ton. Everything relating to agriculture
has been tested many times, and new inves-
LEGATIONS are continually being made, so that
If an error has been made it is quickly cor
rected by some better test or experiment. A
farmer need not err if he will read and think
in making rea. enable success in his bust
ness. As to farmers institutes there is SO
much information ufOat that there need not
be dull or Improbable institute. They
have been long enough in the field to indi-
cate the best and different methods of con.
Quoting them. The real value Of an ns,i-
tutc IS not apparent when some windy ORA
tor tells how he drove five hundred miles
over different soils, but in the conservative
speaker telling how he made success or
failure of business in farming coils similar to
those in his community. The truth wins in
the end aud there may be more truth in
failure than in big show like Greelcys cab
bage that cost HIM fifty cents head to grow
Again, the institute is for the farmer, his
wife and children, and l believe they all
ought to be present and all receive share
of instruction, and any that are able and
willing to contribute to the benefit of the
institute should have small chance to do so.
In every community there are some who arc
intelligent and take pleasure in helping a
good thing along, There is inspiration and
belpfulness ofttmes in an essay from some
mother daughter or schoolteachcr, as well
as pleasure, and in our experience of several
seasons of institute work, there occurred a
real boom in session by some one who had
dormant talent to spare. Occasionally some
aged farmer wishes to know in That sign TO
plant his potatoes or what is the best cure
for the hollow horn; bless the old fellows,
they have made the present possible for US,
and the present generation reap what they
have left Tor it.
r ID BIGGS