The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-11-06
Maple River Farmers Club.

The Maple River Farmers Club held
its October meeting at the pleasant
home of Mr. and Mrs. William GLADDEN..
The day possessed many characteristics
of autumn weather, but did not prevent
a large gathering of club members and
visiting friends from the city and other
clubs being present. This being an all
day meeting large number of friends
had assembled long before the noon hour
to enjoy a social visit and converse over
questions that are of vital Importance
to the political welfare of our country.
A short time before the noon hour,
G. T. Cook having been appointed pres
ident pro tenn, called the meeting to
order in the absence of President E. N.
Waugh. A request from our hostess
for next month to change the Novem
Der meeting from its regular date on
Thanksgiving day to Wednesday the
18th of the same month was presented
and on vote was accepted. The noon
hour having arrived the meeting was
adjourned and every one sat down to
enjoy an excellent repast prepared by
our hostess.
The topic "The Soil; Our Country's
Greatest Need" was introduced by c.
B. Cook who gave very interesting
talk on the relationship of our soil to
industrial prosperity. 1T is not neces-
sary" said Mr.. Cook ito treat this
subject from the point of the relation
of our soil to industrial condition, for
we all know that agriculture is the
foundation to all branches of activity.
Better methods in handling the soil are
materially assisting in the accumula-
ton of great wealth among farmers and
in no great length of time we will see
large portion of national capital invest
ed in agriculture.
Mr.. Cook spoke of the Importance
of giving closer and more careful study
to maintaining our soil in high state
of producing fertility, while chemists
tell us there is abundance of soil fertility
to last for hundreds of generations, vet
this will not become available unless
proper methods are adopted in tilling
the soil.
1.-The real issue between Republican
ism and Democracy was ably presented
by F. NJ. Whelan, who in his poetical
style dealt out some pretty hard facts
that went home to show that he has his
ear very close to the ground in a politi-
cal way. Mr. Whelan believes that the
real issue between the parties is largely
q difference of opinion as to what seems
the most prudent policy to bring about
national prosperity. Mr.. Whelan
spared no pains to pay his democratic
friends a few of his sotermed compli-
ments.
IF granted equal suffrage would
women make such misuse of the ballot
as do menf" was very Interestingly
presented in an able manner by Mrs.
John Bilhimer who does not believe
that the granting of woman suffrage
would haye as effective influence on the
ballot box as proclaimed. 1.-THE place
of the American women" said Mrs.
Bilhimer lis in the home and if every
true mother would exercise her infiu-
ence over her children her power over
the ballot box would be materially in
creased beyond that that could posi-
bly, come to her through the granting
of woman suffrage. Women today have
a powerful influence over directing re.
forms and could exercise still greater
if she would avail herself of the oppor-
tunities within her reach"
1.-THE Influence on the Soil, of Air,
Water and Sunshine" was spoken on by
Clayton Cook. who went quite into de-
tail to show the relationship of the
different elements, air, water and sun
shine,a on plant growth and soil func-
tions. f. Air serves to supply food for
the numerous organisms found in the
soil and are busily at work preparing
food for plant production. Nitrogen,
which, is found in the air, must pass
into the soil and be manufactured into
some form of nitrate before becoming
available for plant.use. Air also pro-
notes circulation in the soil and assists
in removing impurities. Water is an
essential element and promotes dissolv-
ing out of plant food and sanitation.
Water also assists In the distribution
of soil elements. Sunshine performs
several functions in its relation TO the
soil. First, it increases soil tempera-
ture and promotes plant growth. Sun