Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 January 1907 — THE FARMERS’ INSTITUTE [ARTICLE]

THE FARMERS’ INSTITUTE

Tie Report »f tie Institute Secretary BECOND DAY’S SESSION. The strn shone and the attendance was most excellent, 350 seats weie filled and about 25 people took standing room. Mr. C. B. Benjamin of Leßoy Ind., was present, and delivered three addresses. How we grow potatoes every year. Mr. Benjamin agreed with Mr. Pumphrey that level cultivation always is the proper method . Hilling op potatoes will dry them out and dwarf the growth. He Uses Paris green to kill potato bugs. Plant three different patches. Early potatoes, plant very early. Late potatoes plant late. Agricultural educatioif forour boys and girls.

Mr. Benjamin dwelt largt ly upon the fact that too many children are grown up without any business training whatever. They know very little about how to handle money or the value of it. Their parents do all the buying and selling. The result is that when they are thrown on to the world to transact business for themselves they fall an easy prey to sharpers and they and their property are soon parted. Mr. Benjamin is a great friend of corn shredding. Says the cost ot the labor is repaid by the method of saving the manure.

Mrs. John Randle read a paper on “How to make the most of one’s self at home.” The subject was well handled. The parents must not lose the confidence of the children, and no mother can afford to engage in any sort of amusement of a questionable character. Thai is in any game at home that the child is taught at school to be wrong. The closing session at night, was largely of the entertainment character. Bill Bat the author of the celebrated Hoosier Hunting Grounds, was on hands or rather on his leet as he expressed it, and while his song was not exactly a quartette, yet it was good enough to produce an encore.

An original poem by Miss Oka Pancoast was the subject of many compliments. Mrs. Delos Thompson and daughter Lois rendered an unusually fine instrumental duet on the piano. Hon. Geo. A. Williams far out did himself and expectations of the audience. He spoke of his boyhood days on the farm back in Ohio, after a manner and with such warmth of feeling that one could readily know that George is re«lly a product of a country life amid scenes more beautiful, more rare than pre found in any book any park or city. And like the author of the Old Oaken Bucket “His Fancy reverts to his father’s plantation, and sighs for the bucket which hangs in the well.” And again “For the boys will is the winds will, and the thoughts of youth are long long thoughts.” t John E. Alter, the dauntless, the hero of seventeen Fanners Institute, was there with his “periods,” taking notes. He had two mathematical problems that he seemed anxious for some pupil to solve. The entire institute work seemed to. interest him greatly, and was particularly touched by the speech of the librarian Mjss Bessie .King, which was most excellent as Miss King told the farmers that they were welcome to the library at all times and sveq. Jnyited them to leave their «hUsren at the library in her charge. Bat Bill Bat was evidently, a little exalted ..when listening jto this Ration ;r of Biss Bessie’s speech, for he had it down in his “notes” that Miss Bessie invited the farmers to leave their sons in her charge whenever they came to town. Johnnie wished he was a boy again. Everybody went home happy.

era Institute would be held ever£ month instead of once each year. The following officers wei e elected for the ensuing yearr Pi esident, Theodore Dunlap. Secretary, Joe Pullins. Treasurer, John Lesh. ’Ladies Auxiliary. President, Mrs. John Randle. Secretary, Mrs. Jay Lamson.