Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1907-04-04
SUCCESSFUL
FARMERS
INSTITUTE
r.. - ..E-.
Many farmers Meet at the Opera
House to Learn About New
- g.,
Methods.

NlCtnOuS.
The Farmers Institute held in this
city last Friday was well attended by
farmers in spite of the bad roads and
chilly atmosphere that day. Not
only was the attendance beyond ex-
pectat1ons, but the interest shown
in the; discussion of the various farm
topics was also most commendable.
1t was easy to see that the farmers
are doing lot of hard thinking and
WANT to get posted on improved
methods of tilling the soil.
MIA. A. Ayres, of this city, served
as chairman of the meeting and
introduced the different speakers.
The first one introduced was Prof.
VIM. Robertson, uperintendent of
the State Experiment Farm at
Crookston. This was the first oppor-
tun1ty many Of the farmers in this
vicinity had to meet this we'll known
gentleman and prominent agricultur-
lst, whose work for the benefit and
advancement of the Red River Valley
farmer, will, we believe, show great
results.
The first talk of Mr.. Robertson was
on good roads. He said that a road
can not be kept in shape unless pro-
perly tended to. The custom has been
and is yet to do road work in June
and then not touch them afterwards.
The correct way is to do the repair
ing after each rain. "A road smoother.
or King drag should be used on the
road after, every rain. He advised
every farmer to take half a mile of
road apposit his house or farm and
keep it in repair by this method, and
receive the thanks and appreciation
Of his t1eigbbors. and of all who had
occasion to drive over it. A man who
in that manner kept a road in shape
should be given creoit for it: by the
road overseer. Weeds and. grass along
the highway should also be cut as it
serves to hold the snow, and make
the road impossible. He recon-
inmended that the road tax be paid
in money and competent, practical
road builders hired to do the work.
Not until that system is introduced
can we have the best results. :. :":. J..
Prof. Wilson, of the. Crookston
School of Agriculture, spoke about
tree planting for wind breaks. Too
many farmers, he said, have made
the mistake of planting their groves
too close to the house, and as a = con-
sequence have lots of trouble from
the snow which drifts in and gets
lodged between the trees, sometimes
almost covering up their houses and
barns. A wind break should protect
the family and stock against: the
prevailing winds and should also en-
close space for garden and orchard.
There ought to be at least a Is rods
square space inside the wind break
for the buildings and tine garden and
orchard. Trees should be planted on
the north, south and vest sides, and
on the east side shrubs and low grow
ing trees may be planted. For the
outside he recommended: "a row =ssof
golden willows, and about a rod in
side of the willows one or:more rows
of Norway Spruce. Inside of the
spruce elm, ash, and soft maple
should be planted in alternating
groups. If it should be preferred,
however, to have the evergreens next
to the house instead of the deciduous
trees the arrangement can be revers-
ed. The trees should be carefully
cultivated and mulched with half
rotted straw. Many valuable, hints
and suggestions lnregard to tree plant
ingwere given by the professor. +.
At the afternoon session Prof.
Robertson gave magic lantern exhi-
bition, which proved to be very
interesting feature. Scenes from the
State School of Agriculture and from
the several experiment. farms, show
ing buildings, class rooms and
methods of instruction, were put upon
the canvas, and we think no farmer
who saw these pictures could 60
away without having a higher opin-
ion of his calling.
Mr.. w. S. Currie, of Euclid, was
present and gave a.-practical talk on
dairying in the Red River Valley.
His father, the Rev. Currie, was the
original dairyman in this section OF
the country, and managed successful
dairy farm at Euclid for years before
the rest Of the farmers had any idea
of raising anything else but wheat.
Mr.. Curriess ssgaye many valuable sug-
gestions about building up dairy