Evening journal., 1914-02-19
FARMERS GET
MORE TIPS
Institute Speakers Talk Of
Potato Growing and Hog
Raising
EDUCATION IS URGED
FOR STATE BENEFIT

reclal to lHE EN-NlNC JOURNAlA
MIDDLETOWN, Del, Feb. 19.-
The Farmers Institute at Middletown
yesterday had special features be-
cause OF the central point OF meeting
and many of those farmers who at
tended at Townsend and Odessa we're
present at Middletown, the attend
ance being large at every session.
The subject of soil fertility has
been discussed at every institute and
farmers realize that the productivity
OF the land is a basic matter, under
lying all successful and profitable
agriculture. Prof. Harry Hayward
discussed this subject at Middletown,
dealing with tillage, the making, saw
ing and using farm manure, the use
of cover crops especially the legumes
like crimson clover, yetch, soy beans
and COW peas. Professor Hayward
also discussed the value of tile drain
age and stated that he hoped that
the Experiment Station would be
able to purchase a ditch digging
machine. sort OF special dredge that
digs at one-half the cost OF hand
labor better bitches than can be dug
by hand. This machine will be used
to demonstrate the value of drainage
al UlAACA cut UAAAn VI 'AnO OlulCs
Prof. T. f. Manns. OF Ohio, told In
detail the work that has been done
to determine the value OF farm
manure. and different forms Of phos-
phate.
The subject Of plant diseases, es-
Declally OF white potatoes, which
grow extensively In this section, was
discussed. Potato diseases are con-
trolIed by proper spraying and rota-
ton spraying Of crops.
Prof. Hayward spoke on Pork
It's Breeding, Growth and Sale" He
thought that hogs, next to chickens,
are the most profitable OF all farm
animals. He said that If II costs six
cents per pound to raise pork which
viii sell for ten or twelve cents, II
seems to be decidedly to the farm
ers' advantage to raise and sell hogs.
The afternoon session was opened
with a discussion on. white potatoe
growing, f. A. Rodgers of Maine, lead
ing by giving his experience in the Pine
Tree State. He plows his land deep
and harrows Il down well and plants in
June. The seed potatoes are soaked in
formaldehyde. one pint 20 thirty gallons
of water. He cuts his potatoes and
plants Immediately. He advised plant
ing the Irish Cobhler variety
DR.. A. ID. Cromwell of West Chester
gave an instructive talk on Improving
the Rural Schools" He said there are
five secrets for improving the schools
ms follows: (ll more money t2l bet
ter organization; (3l an increased
course OF study; (4l better supervision
(5l rural life leadership, He urged that
agriculture be taught in the schools ans
said that all the books used seem t.
be made for the town children rathe
than country children. The speaker urg-
ed the boys not to use tobacco, adding
that there are generally seventeen per
cent. more girls than boys who grhdu
ate from q high school. lie was sur
prised when informed that in the jun
graduating class of the Middletowi
schools there are seven boys and three
girls.
DIR. Wagner spoke on the cost of main
tanning the public schools Of the state
the relative good received by the chill
dren from the money expended The TO
tai expenditure for the New Castle
county schools (outside OF Wilmington
ia S276.273; expenditure where childreI
receive direct benefit, Sl70, S36, shown,
waste TO children Of S06402. Dr
Wagner urged the teachers TO have faitl
in the children and the parents to be
lieve that the best in the children cal
be brought out only by sending then
70 school regularly
The program for the evening was
@Farm Drainage" lantern slides, J. j
Haswell United States drainage cnci
neer; agricultural Education Ian
tern slides, Prof. Hayward; sour Put
lie schools" DR. c. a. Wagner; "Grow
ing and Breeding Corn" lantern slides
Dr.. A. y Cromwell.