Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1903 — FARM INSTITUTE. [ARTICLE]

FARM INSTITUTE.

The Meeting Held Here Monday and Tuesday the Most Successful for Severs) Years. The fanners of Jasper county met here in their thirteenth annual institute Monday, with B. D. 'Johnson of Moorsville, and Mrs. J. O. Irwin of Bourbon, as state institute lecturers. Considering the weather the attendance was fair; in point of interest it was one of the best meetings ever held in the county. Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Irwin proved themselves fine institute workers. The first subject was “Commercial Fertilizers,” by Mr. Johnson. He would have them used intelligently, used with reference to the wants of the soil; different soils are deficient in different elements and, consequently, different fertilizers should be used on them. It requires knowledge of the different wants of the soil to use commercial fertilizers profitably. He only uses commercial fertilizers on wheat, and always follows with clover or some crop that will hold and increase fertility; always applies the fertilizer broadcast—never in hills, unless in potatoes. From this talk we would infer that Mr. Johnson is no great friend of the general use of commercial fertilizers, for he intimated that in the hands of the ordinary farmer they are just about as apt to be used to his hurt as to his good. From this talk we think the farmers of Jasper county should have as little to do with these fertilizers as possible; grow fertilizing crops, make and intelligently use more home-made fertilizers, rotate crops and give more care to seed and cultivation. This was one of the best subjects before the institute. Drainage, an interesting subject as it always is, next came befor the institute. Mr. Frank Foltz opened on this subject, giving the law as it is, or as he thought it should be. He said ZJUtfrflm ur water should be treated as *an enemy. This came to all alike; just as much of it falls upon the highland as upon the low land. He thought a common cause should be made against a common foe, and highlands should be assessed the same as low lands for damage purposes. A paper upon this subject by J. E. Alter was read by the secretary. This paper, like all of Mr. Alter’s institute work, was well received. S. R Nichols followed on this

subject He was much opposed to Mr. Foltz’s theory of assessment of land for ditching purposes. This was the first time Mr. Nichols ever appeared before an institute and he certainly made himself understood and proved that he can talk when he has something to say. Mr. Myrt Price gave some views on this subject that seemed to be well received. Mr. Lewis Alter also gave some practical suggestions. Mrs. J. C. Irwin entertained the ladies in the west court room at 2 p. m. on “Our Greatest Need.” This was a ladies meeting and we failed to get a report of it. Tuesday morning Mr. Johnson gave a talk on “Value of Corn Fodder and How to Handle it.” He would place his corn fodder in the silo at corn-cutting time. He showed by actual figures that just about one-half of the value of the corn crop is in the fodder; he said that it had Teen thought that the silo was of use only to the dairyman, but he showed that it was just as valuable to the feeder of beef cattle. This one talk if followed out by Jasper county farmers would make for them thousands and thousands of dollars every year. It is a fact that farmers throw away about one-half of their corn crop when they fail to utilize their corn fodder. Mr. Wood an old gentleman from Lake county, now stopping with his daughter Mrs. W. vV. Merril, happened to bo present and was called out upon this subject. He came forward and to the surprise of all, gave the real rattling speech of the institute, endorsing all that had been said upon this subject and from per-

sonal and. extended experience gave a very valuable talk. Mrs. J. C. Irwin gave an ideal talk on “The Ideal Farmer’s Home.” She said the “Ideal Home” was a union of hearts, a place where love and peace reigned supreme; where there was mutual help and sympathy. She said it was not the house and not the dress, not the wealth, not the furniture, that made the “Ideal Home,” but it was the minds and hearts of the dwellers in the home. Mrs. Geo. Barcus followed on this subject with credit to herself and interest to the institute, as did also Squire Moore. “Convenient and Comfortable Arrangements About the Farm,” was the next subject. The speakers chosen upon this subject failed to appear so it was left to volunteers. Lee E. Glazebrook opened this subject; he said our farmers want all the land they can get and leave it all out of doors. Most of the Jasper county farms lack convenient out-build-ings, lack sufficient lots and small pastures, needed better and more gates, more walks about the barn and house, more gravel in muddy gate-ways, etc. He was followed by Mr. Geo. Pumphrey, who gave a personal description of some few handy, well-kept farms in the county and highly complimented the owners thereof. Mr. Wm. Day thought if farms were made more attractive and convenient the boys would be more attached to them. Mr. Johnson said well arranged and convenient farms, up to date machinery, handy and convenient things all about the place, was money saved, time and labor, made work so much the easier and so much more could be done; said farm hands could be more easily secured and kept on such farms. “Of what Benefit are you to your Neighbor? by Mr. Johnson, was an entertaining subject that did not deal with dollars and cents but with life, with humanity. He was followed by Rev. T. A. Hall who gave some very valuable thoughts. He in turn was followed by Rev. J. A. Cochran, who gave an interesting talk of five minutes.

The next subject, “Follies and Failures of our School and Home Teaching,” by Lee E. Glazebrook, was one of the best of the session. Mr. Glazebrook had quite a lengthy and very interesting paper on the subject and took the position that our schools to-day catered too much to foot-ball and kindred sports. etc. County Superintendent Hamilton, and B. F. Coen of our city schools, opposed Mr. Glazebrook’s idea, but it was quite noticable that the latter’s views were shared by most of those present, and in his closing talk he effectually knocked the wind out of all their argument on foot ball. The Democrat would like very much to publish the paper by Mr. Glazebrook on this subject, and if possible will do so at some future date. The old president, vice-presi-dent and secretary were retained —Marion I. Adams, Peter Hordeman and Korah Parker.