The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1912-02-01
MANY WERE THERE
Hundreds Attend Sessions of Farmers
Friday and Saturday.
Much Valuable Information is Gath
cred From Experts On Various
Branches of Farming.

The farmers institute invariably
proves interesting and instructive and
that held here on Friday and Satur-
day was no exception. Each ses-
sion was we'll attended and the speak
ers we're practical farmers-men who
have made a careful study of the
branches upon which they discoursed.
Subjects particularly applicable to the
existing conditions in this part of the
country we're selected by them for dis
cussion and they handled them we'll.
That their work was much appreciated
was fully demonstrated by the en-
5husiasm manifested by the farmers,
their wives, sons and daughters, who
listened to their addresses.
J. J. Springer of Zunbro Falls con-
Quoted the institute in place of F. B.
MoLeran OF Wrenshall, who is laid
up from the effects of serious injuries
received in railroad accident. Mr..
Springer was assisted by L. D.
Staples of St. Cloud, Frank Gibbs of
Merriam Park, and T. B. McCul-
Tough, farm superintendent at the st.
Cloud reformatory. E. W. Smith of
Parkers Prairie, one of the institute
men who had been at Milaca, arrived
at noon on Saturday and also gave
short talk, while Messrs. Gibbs and
Staples left for their homes on the
morning train of the same day.
Mr.. Springer, who is one of the best
dairymen in the state. opened the in
stitute with an able talk on the con-
servation of soil fertility, advocated
the growing of clover and the sys-
tematic rotation of crops. He said
that clover is the only crop he knows
of that will assist in the destruction
of the Canadian thistle and told how
be brought about the practical elimi-
nation of this pest. During the prog
ress OF the institute Mr.. Springer also
discussed the dairy COW, its feed and
care. He said that dairying was a
branch which no farmer should over
look as it was stable industry at all
times dependable. His talk on the
sanitary COW barn was very interest,"
ing-every detail of construction was
clearly explained. Mr.. Springer also
explained the septic tank for house.
hold use on the farm and advised his
hearers TO install one of these sani-
tary conveniences. He touched upon
the silo and said that it's adoption
meant an advanced step in animal in
dustry. The man who has herd of
reasonable size and plans to take
good care of it and to make the most
out of it cannot we'll afford to be with
out silo. A good description of
silos, their construction and use will
be found in the Minnesota Farmers
Institute Annual, large number of
which have been distributed free and
a copy of which anyone may obtain
for the asking. Throughout his sew
eral talks Mr.. Springer added much
spice to the subjects he handled by in
jecting a number of short humorous
stories.
L. D. Staples, among other things,
talked on poultry and told his hearers
that there was no reason why chick
ems should not pay. Chickens in the
cold months should have a warm
house with plenty of light and ventila-
tlon, said he, but he advised against
placing stoves in the henneries. he
displayed model of the kind of
chicken house which he said he had
tested by experience and found to
fully answer all requirements. Mr..
Staples spoke on corn growing and
the selection of seed. he advised the
farmers to gather their seed corn from
the stalk, then put it in place where
the air can come in contact with it
and test it in the spring. Upon max
ing such test all seed which does not
come up TO 80 per cent termination
should be discarded. He said the
best seed for Minnesota cultivation
was seed grown in the state. He had
obtained first class results from Min
nesota No. Ii. Hog raising was an
other of Mr.. Staples subjects. It did
not pay, he said, to raise hogs entirely
on corn for they would eat their heads
off. They should have, in addition
to corn, shorts, clover hay, bran,
pumpkins, skim milk, etc., and a pas
ture to run in. In choosing a hog
select one with an arched back and no
wrinkles on the sides, also see that it's
legs are strong. 1t is not so much the
variety of hog as it's characteristics;
which count.
Frank Gibbs, who for 20 years has
been shipping vegetables and fruit to
market, gave much valuable advice in
raising the products above mentioned.
In fruits, he said, the largest profits