Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1907-11-21
The Farmers Institute

Pursuant to call issued by Di-
rector Miller of the State Agricultu-
raj College at Manhattan, there was
a meeting of persons interested in
the various forms of farming, held
at Phelps opera house on Monday.
Two disappointing incidents tended
to detract from that full mearure oi
success which had been expected
for this meeting.
First, Prof. Tenyeck and Direct
or Miller we're prevented from atten-
ing by causes beyond their control.
This with the threatening and lower
aspect of the weather preventing the
attendance of many who would
otherwise have been here, at one
time appeared to have destroyed all
hope of profitable session. How
ever at I:3o-p. m. the assembly was
called togather by E. D. Smith, who
briefly statedthe object of the meet
ing and Introduced Prof. Albert
Dickens, of the State Agricultural
College. Prof. Dickens explains
that usually he followed one of the
other gentleman's explanation of the
Campbell system of day farming,
with lecture on tree planting and
growing, but perforce he must at
this time make the Introductory for
his tree lecture himself, which fact
would make his address not a lee
ture hut disjointed talk.
No matter what name the Prof.
gave his address it was not only
highly instructive but absorbingly
interesting, and he held his audience
deeply attentive for about As min
utes. The theme being deep thor
ough and inteligently careful culti-
vation of the soil. The end in view
of the farmer, being such prepara-
ton of the soil as would best receive
all the moisture precipltated upon it
or the largest proportion possible,
and retian same for plant consump-
ton. His exposition of the waste
of soil moisture by evaporation, and
run off, being clear and the method
of its prevention plainly pointed out.
The subject of tree planting was
where the Prof. was on ground he
is thoroughly familiar with. This
part of his address was scientifically
correct, and expressed in plain,
practical, every day terms. He
supported each proposition by ex-
periments made or now under way
under the direction of the College
officers, or by field practices of nur-
serymen aud orchardists. The OBJ
ject seeming to be place proven
practices, and sue cessful methods
before his audience and permit them
individually to make the application
as the word and conditions surround
Ing each planter dictated. The lee
ture was followed by short discus
sion, after which Prof. Dickens,
pleading the limited time remaining
in which to reach another appoint
ment, bid his audience goodby. As
the Prof. passed down the aisle the
audience as token of appreciation
and expressive of a vote of thanks,
arose and stood. On motion anc
and after discussion it was deter.
mined that a permanent organiza
ton should be made. A temporary
organization having been made BY
electing E. D. Smith chairman. anc
J. E. McNair, secretary.
Motion was made and discussed
making the temporary organization
permanent. The chairman taking
part in the discussion insisted tina
the temporary organization be no
made permanent. and upon the cal
of the ayes and nays the motion wa
lost. Wherenpon a motion to ap
point Com. of S to report at
meeting to be called later by salt
Com. prevailed. and the house select
ed as its committee for such pur
pose, the following persons; VIM
Jobiing, H. M. Holdeman, 10
| James, M. P. Petehsh, and J. E
| McNair. This committee issued
call for meeting which appears i
another column of this issue of Th