Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-01-29
GRATI0T CO. FARMERS INSTITUTE
Atnded-A
FomSt To finnish For Ensuing Year

tending another annual farmers insti
tute, believing that these gatherings are
helpful and beneficial to all farmers
attending the same Therefore, be it re-
solved, that we are in favor of a land
credit association, under government
supervision, whereby the American
farmer can capitalize his credit as easily
and as cheaply as other industries do
theirs And also that a copy Of these
resolutions be sent TO our senator and
congressman. Resolved, that a vote of
thanks be given TO the citizens of Alma
who so kindly furnished the opera house
for our meeting place for the institute
also the musical instructor OF the Alma
schools for the part the students have
taken in the entertainment. Also to the
Wright Male Quartette for their fine
music, and to all others who have help
ed in this institute. and also to the Off
GERS of this association for their work
in making this institute success, all of
which we respectfully submit for your
adoption.
The resolutions were adopted by a
vote Cf the society, and the motion to
adjourn was carried
The afternoon session began with
music by the grades from the primary
school, followed by another question
box, under the direction of d. l.. Shar-
rer. 4 great many questions were dis
cussed, among which were Does it
pay TO use commercial fertilizer in the
raising OF potatoes? In Maine, the
New England States and southern Mich
igan it does. The fertilizer should be
soWn broadcast, the nitrate Of soda
gets the nitrogen for the plant in its
,lart, and potassium potash must be
present in order for the plant TO thrive
and if it is not present it must be put
in the soil to make a plant grow as il
should
Should you sow alfalfa seed with the
rye m the spring. Yes. sow it six
pounds to the acre and drill it in; beet
or bean ground is best suitable drag the
ground in April
What can cow-testing association
lac-omplsh: An example was given of
graduate of the Agricultural college,
who went to Lapeer county and formed
an organization and tested the state
herd. in order to eliminate the COWS
which were not paying their own board
and substitute them for one which would
bring fifty or sixty dollars a year profit
When he came TO one cow the proprietor
said that she was of no account and to
pass it by that he intended to sell her
| for beef, and had already sold her
mother and calf for the same reason.
, He said that she did not produce any
cream on her milk and that it was very
| poor milk because the cream would not
rise when the milk was set in cold water.
The young man tested the milk with a
Babcock tester and found the percentage
of butter fat To be per cent. and of
the finest grade of any of the COWS
previously tested. He told the proprie-
tor, who laughed at him, stating that it
was impossible. The organizer said that
| he would stay there three days and prove
the statement if his board was furnished
, him. The man agreed to the PROPOSE
tion and he stayed and was watched as
he fed the COW balanced ration every
! DAY and was watched when he MIXED
the COW. At the end of three days the
milk was weighed and run through a
separator and the cream churned and
it was found that the milk produced
Continued on page 2.