Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1903 — The Farmers' Institute [ARTICLE]

The Farmers' Institute

nought ly Cool Judges To le He Most Valuable field la Tbe Ceiotv. The annual Jasper County Farmers’ Institute was held Monday and Tuesday in the court house. It was not nearly so largely attended as many previous institutes, for there was no speoial effort made to draw those who go to them merely to be entertained. But there was all along a fair attendance, and of people who go Iter the solid good they expect to get, and who know a good thing iu the farmers’ institute line when they see it end hear it. The principal instructors of the institute were D, B. Johnson, of Mooresville, Ind., a master of the soienoe of successful farming and of the art of telling others how it is done; and Mrs. J. C. Irwin, of Bourbon, Ind., equally as capable iu her lines as Mr. Johnson. The fame in faot of these two notable lecHww drew representative farmers and their wives from long distances, some from beyond the limits of Jasper oonnty. Regarding the final resalts of the institute, it is pronounced by one who has attended and helped manage all of them, to be the best ever held ' in the county. , At the opening session Monday morning there was a very slim attendance, and no formal exercises, the president exousing himself from making an address. There was a general discussien of various things however, and especially of theoondition of things around Purdne University, especially the weedy and seedy and generally slip-shod appearance of the experimental farm there.

Monday afternoon had quite a large attendance. The address on “Commercial Fertilizers,” by Mr. Johnson was the great feature, and can not fail to have an excellent and lasting effeot among the farmers of Jasper county. Frank Foltz gave an address on drainage, and on tho.same subject a paper by J. E. Alter, now in Florida, was read. S. R. Nichols, of Barkley also filled his plaoe on the program in disoussing the same subject, and the practical farmers present seemed to think his ideas were about the soundest of any. The ladies meeting in the west oourt room, was presided over by Mrs. Edward Parkison. Mrs. Irwin spoke on the subject “Our greatest need.”

The Monday evening session was presided over by Mrs. Geo Barouß, the appointed chairman, Mrs. Day being sick. The entertainfeature was more in evidence at this session. Miss Cora Dexter gave a declamation. The Mandolin Club and the Male Quartette, and Misses Glen Day and Lillian Rhoades furnished music. The principal address was by Mrs. Irwin, on the subject. Should the sister reoeive ae thorough and practical an education for her life work as her brother? Mrs. W. S. Parks and Mrs. Frank Foltz followed with discussions on the same subject. Tuesday forenoon’s exercises comprised an address by Mr. Johnson on the subject of “the Value of Corn Fodder and how to Handle it,” and disoussed by J. W. Norman and others. An address by Mrs. Irwin on “The Ideal Farmer’s Home,” and one by F. W. Bedford on “Convenient and Comfortable Arrangements about the Farm.” Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Johnson led off with the subject “Of what Benefit are You to Your Neighbor.” Disoussed by Revs. T. A. Hall and J. A. Cochran. The last subjeot treated was “the Follies and Failures of Our

Bohool and Home Teaching.” The principal paper wee by the ioonbdlastio Lee E. Glazebrook, and of cotfrse was very critical and condemnatory. He wbb followed by Co Snpt. L. H. Hamilton, and Prof. B. of the Rensselaer city sohools, who opposed Mr. Glazebrook’s ideas. It was the most exciting event of tbe institute. The bffioers of last year were reelected, namely M. I. Adams, president; Peter Hordeman, vice president; K. A Parker, secretary,