The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-03-07
THE FARMERS INSTITUTE.
Interesting and Valuable Information
Given BY Corps Of Instructors.

0AEeu ny Corps OF Instructors.
The two sessions of the farmers' in.
stitute held 10 this city Thursday, were
attended by audiences that demon
strated widespread interest in the pro-
ceedinRs. The afternoon session was
held at Odd Fellows hall, which was
so crowded that arrangements were
made to hold the evening session in
Green's opera house, which has seat.
ing capacity for over 200 people.
The visiting speakers were F. B.
Linield. director OF the experiment
station at Bozeman: Professor Nj. j..
Elrod, of the State University at Mis-.
soula: and T. T. Black, of Whitehall,
a practical and successful jefferson
county rancher. Local men took part
In the speech making at each session,
and excellent vocal and Instrumental
music was furnished by the Fort Ben.
ton band, Mrs. C. H. Boyle, Miss
Nellie Murphy and Mr.. Edward Davis.
Some good practical talks were made
at the afternoon meeting, the subjects
OF discussion being forage crops, irri.
CATION, dry land farming aud other
topics connected with Montana ayri-
culture. Some of the speakers sug.
gested that certain crops that have
been neglected in this part of Montana
would prove to be highly profitable to
those who would undertake to raise
them.
The evening session at the opera
house was first addressed by T. T.
Black. of Whitehall, who discussed
the subject of fruit raising. He said
this branch of farm work had been
made u great success in jefferson
county, where the elevation is about
1920 feet with other local conditions
less favorable to fruit growing than
those of northern Montana. MIR.
Black stated that his first attempts at
fruit raising were not a success,
mainly because he selected the wrong
varieties, but he gained wisdom from
experience and now regards fruit as
the most profitable crop on his farm.
He advised farmers not to buy fancy
stuff when setting out fruit trees, but
cOntine themselves to stand ard vari.
cites. These should not cost more
than 25c to Soc per tree, if bought di.
rect from a reputable nursery. If an
agent or peddler comes around and
asks a higher price, tell him t o 90
down the road. Speaking of his own
experience with different varieties of
apple trees, Mr.. Black recommended
the Duchess, Wealthy and Mackin-
tosh Red Is the most hardy and the
most suitable for Montana conditions.
In strawberries, his preference was the
Wilson, and he remarked that be had
filled 10000 boxes in a season from
one acre of this variety. In raspber.
ries his choice is the Black Cap spe-
cies.
F. E. Stranahan, Of this city,
followed Mr.. Black with an entertain.
log talk about gardening, in which he
related some Of his personal expert.
ences. Mr.. Stranahan declared that,
under proper methods of care and
cultivation, there is scarcely any kind
OF vegetable adapted to the temperate
zone that will not do better in Mon.
tana than in any other part of the
country. He also expressed the conf.
dent belief that fruit growing will be.
come an important feature of farm life
in northern Montana.
Professor Linfeld gave an ~instruc.
tive address upon ''Types OF Live.
stock his remarks being accom-
panied by stereopticon views of vari.
Gus breeds of cattle, horses and sheep.
He declared that the best returns are
obtained from the best types. In the
Chicago market cattle of the same
weight often sell at prices that show a
difference of two cents a pound,
equivalent to a difference of 1924 on a
1900 pound animal, this being due to
the difference in type. "Why not
raise the better class of animal?" was
the pertinent question propounded by
the speaker. The largest measure OF
profit and success comes from pro.
ducing the best.
The session closed with an address
by Professor Elrod based upon a ser.
les of stereopticon views of mountain
scenery in Flathead county, in which
the speaker demonstrated the wisdom
of preserving the forests in order 10
secure an adequate water supply for
irrigation.
Three little rules We all should keep,
To make life happy and bright,
Smile in the morning, smile at noon,
Take Rocky Mountain Tea at night.
ID. G. Lockwood.