FARMEKS' INSTITUTES. 263 



invested six months before. This calculation is a very low estimate and a safe 

 basis from which to draw conclusions. The question ought not to be how many 

 acres we can plow and sow, but how much we can produce from the least 

 amount of acres with the least outlay, improving the farm in its producing 

 facilities every year. To accomplish this the investigations of science as applied 

 to the avocation of the farmer, combining theory and practice, experiments, 

 thought, and study. The- successful farmer should be a close observer, a con- 

 stant student, striving continually to keep himself posted in every department 

 of his business. Brain work is as essential as physical force. Books, papers, 

 and periodicals devoted to farm life should be his constant companions. Farmer's 

 meetings, discussion of farm topics and household duties will arouse and awaken 

 an interest when wisely conducted that -will have a telling effect on the present 

 status of the farmer and be instrumental in directing the coming man to higher 

 and nobler attainments in the future, blessing the world with the influences 

 that must necessarily follow, elevating the tone of society and making the 

 world wiser and better. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Spencer. — I can hardly agree with Mr, Brown's method of raising corn 

 fodder. We can raise a large quantity of corn and stalks too. 



Mr. K. Williams. — That has been my experience also. I have tried both 

 ways, and I find that with care in curing the stalks we can have both a great 

 quantity of fine fodder and a crop of corn. 



Mr. Brown. — One great advantage of the metliod that I recommend is, that 

 the stalks can be cut up early and more perfectly cured. 



Mr. G. Sherwood. — I have never been able to cure corn stalks so that they 

 will not mould. 



Mr. J. W. Wing read an essay on "An Improved Agriculture and its Influ- 

 ence," of which we have not the manuscript. 



At the close of the afternoon session some time was devoted to the discussion 

 of the subject presented in R. F. Johnstone's address. 



EVENING SESSION. 



Hon. T. C. Abbot, President of the Agricultural College, gave an- address 

 on '■' Scliools of AgricnUure." (See lectures and addresses as above.) 

 Mrs. Emma Randall read the following essay, entitled 



"the keal and ideal." 



Says a farmer in the Tribune : " Several years ago I read a sketch of a Coun- 

 try Gentleman that exactly described the kind of a farmer I should like to be. 

 I should enjoy owning a large farm eligibly situated near a thriving town or 

 city, the house a large, roomy, substantial mansion, built for all time, and sur- 

 rounded by grand old trees. — its location an elevated one, commanding an 

 extensive view of a diversified landscape. Here I would dispense hospitality to 

 my friends, and be a sort of agricultural general, issuing orders to those in my 

 employ. My live stock the choicest of their kind, and all sorts of labor-saving 



