The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-01-29
An Institute to Last Three
Days Begins in the Court
Room.
ATTENDANCE IS SMALL
But This is Owing Wholly to Ignor.
ance As to Where Meeting
s Was to Be Held.
PROMINENT CONDUCTORS HERE
which VIII be, Assurance Of General
Interest In the Future
Sessions.

Sessions.
The Farmers institute convened in
the court room this morning at 10
O'Clock, and while there were only IL
fewtfarmers present, this was certain
ly due to the fact that no one knew
where the meetings were to be held.
1 Prof. T. A. Hoverstad of the Crooks
ton experiment station opened the in
stitute by outlining the work that has
been done throughout the state, and
stated that the interest in these meet
ings had been in exact proportion TO
the development Of agriculture.
These meetings in the several coun-
ties are the opportunities for the
democracy of the countryside farm
ers can meet and compare ideas in,
way that gives each new idea.
In discussing the soil, he stated that
for years, centuries in fact, the grass
had grown upon the land, had fallen
and decayed and had put back in the
soil the richness that is now being
taken out in crops.
The best emthod of agriculture is
that which uses only small amount
of fertility each year. This can be
done by the good cultivation of the
soil.
The speaker passed to the practical
consideration of plant diseases, espe-
cially that of smut in wheat. Ninety
per cent of the wheat marketed, at
Duluth last year was injured by this
disease
This would indicate that not nearly
all the farmers are using the formal
dehyde treatment.
The proper solution is one pound of
formaldehyde to As gallons of water.
The trouble is that SO much of the
product sold is poor grade, and he
advised that all druggists should have
the product tested and If the grade is
low larger quantity should be used.
In treating the grain, it should be
left damp for an hour or two and then
spread out.
In treating oats, the solution should
be one of formaldehyde to 80 gal
Ions of water.
All seeds sown on the farm should
be tested. Putting the seed in a box
of sand is good method.
Ninety-five per cent of seed should
terminate
Nothing should be sown except the
very best kernels.
y One of the things needed is farm
recreation. This should be something
like raising poultry or small vegeta-
bles Another is the improvement of
the grains and vegetables. A small
plot should be selected for seed
growing. The farmer could take a
small basket and going through the
field Of grain select the proper heads
for seed. In doing this do not use the
heads where only two or three stalks
come from one root, but those of
strong, healthy plants with the power,
to reproduce abundantly should be
selected.
The question of macaroni wheat
ELECTED some interesting points, one
farmer stating that the, grain would
rot when sown too early. The same
farmer stated that he had been grow,
ing wheat for thirty years, and could
raise from 20 to Is bushels more of
macaroni than of hard varieties.
The discussion drifted on to the Gull
tivation of strawberries, and it was
stated that Mr.. Williams of Coopers-
town last year grew $3.50 worth of
these berries on a quarter acre of
land, and they were finer in flavor and
larger in size than the famous Hood
River varieties.
Prof Hoverstad here took up the
discussion of potato growing and by
way OF introduction stated that he had
been associated in institute work in
Minnesota with gentleman who was
large potato grower in Iowa, and
that he had repeatedly found that when
his potatoes came in competition
with the North Dakota products the
former absolutely commanded the
market, as they had the cooking and
keeping qualities that are necessary
to make them strong commercial
product.
+ The discussion OF potato growing
was continued by A. w. Litchard Of
New York, who outlined the methods
he used in growing tubers. His
methods are to have the land put In
good condition before planting, Sc
lecting average sized potatoes about
I the size of hens eggs for seed, cutting
once, planting In cross rows to allow
weed killing, planting shallow, cover
ing the plants twice and this serving
for killing. Seed potatoes should not
be permitted to sprout. Small pota-
toes are too immature for good seed
and long, irregular shapes are not In
demand in the market l
Joe Wing OF the Breeders Gazette
gave an interesting talk on the man,
agement Of sheep. He claimed It,
would be profitable business In this
state, its brOuse grass is one of the
best Of feeds. while cover and alfalfa
are splendid mutton producers.
Lambs should be fed through the win
ter and marketed when they weigh