The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1910-03-10
INSTITUTE A BIG SUCCESS
Explanation of Stump Burnin
Methods.
burning
Farmers Interested In Lectures

The Farmers Institute, held at New
port Saturday, March 5. proved sue
cess, both in point of attendance ana
interest manifested. The sessions were
held at kelly's Hall, the use of which
had been donated by the owner.
H. W Sparks, superintendent OF the
state experiment station, and l.. ".
Hansen, OF Seattle, deputy state dairy
inspector, were the speakers OF the occa-
sion, Prof. Thatcher, director Of the ex-
pertinent station, having been unable to
come, owing Ia the floods that were de-
Vastatng the Palouse country.
Mr.. Ilansen's address on dairy ques-
lions proved OF interest, and will doubt
less be beneficial in stimulating an in
dustry which at present receives but
ecant attention in this territory, ana
which with proper application can be
made profitable, the grasses OF this sec
ton being especially rich in butter pro-
dncing qualities. Mr.. Sparks talks
were on fruit raising, soils and clearing
lands and were Of much interest, being
closely followed and many questions be-
ing asked by the $50 farmers who at
tended the sessions. The attendance
proved greater than anticipated, and
shows the farmers OF this section are in
terested in everything that pertains to
their vocations, and that they are anx-
ious to benefit by the experience OF
others.
Mr.. Sparks talk on clearing land and
the charpitting system of removing
stunl's are of particular interest to this
section, and in order that those who did
not attend may get the benefit of same.
The MINER reprints the article below
taken from bulletin prepared by Mr..
Sparks
The state college plans to hold series
Of demonstrations of this method, and
an application has been made to hold
such demonstration at Newport, which
will doubtless be granted.
"Among the methods we have inves-
tigated We believe the charpitting or
charcoalng method to be the poor man 8
nethod for removing the stumps, where
conditions are favorable, and as we have
given considerable time to the investi-
cation Of this method we will attempt to
give brief description of some OF the
essential features.
This method consists of the applica-
ton of the art of charcoal burning to the
stump. As a preparation for this work :,
We would suggest to those wanting to
clear their land that better Roadway can
he made by slashing the tract to be
cleared as early in the season as possible
after the foliage is all out. being careful
TO bring everything down to the ground
and together, in such manner as to pro-
dnce conditions favorable to a good
burn. TO assist in producing this con-
dition, We believe that the use of a little
powder in the old logs, SCATTERING and
eplintering them, taking special pains
to remove the bark from all the stumps
10 facilitate the drying-out process, then
fire at such time in the early fall as to
secure the best burn with due regard to
safety. At this time we will suggest the
sowing Of such grass seeds which seem
to give the best results as soon as pos
sible after fires are out and ground
cooled, in the dry ashes and soil, where
they will remain safe until the rains give
sufficient moisture for termination and
growth. This is especially desirable on
loose soils, as the grass in 2. short time
will make sufficient sods to materially
assist in banking or covering in the
fires. The grass will make also some
pasture If the clearing is not completed
ready for cultivation during the first
season
1.-The reason forremovins the bark and
securing as good a burn as possible is to