FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 159 



proving our farms, adding to our surroundings by our savings in the event of eitlier 

 contingency occurring, the burden shall be lessened to as great an extent as possible 

 not only to ourselves, but also to those who are dependent upon us for their com- 

 fort and subsistence. 



EXPERIENCE WITH BRONZE TURKEYS. 



MRS. ROBT. HUBBARD, Chester, at EATON COUNTY Institute, Olivet. 



Experience with Bronze Turkeys was read with the intent of arousing an in- 

 terest in the breeding of thoroughbred poultry as a profitable industry for women. 

 A few briefs of events tliat roused in us the desire to become a "crank," how we 

 caug'ht the "Bronze" fever, our first and second exhibitions, buying and selling 

 experiences, etc.. were given, but the discussion following was so much more in- 

 teresting than the paper that we prefer to give a summary of it for your report. 



It was demonstrated that tiirkeys are a profitable fowl to raise, even from the 

 farm-wife's standpoint or just for market, not only giving her pin-money, but often 

 furnishing the means for replenishing the family wardrobe for winter, buying 

 school books, and even paying the inevitable taxes, their sale coming at a time of 

 year when money must be had and the owner of a small farm may have nothing 

 else to sell just then that will bring a reasonable price. The cost of production for 

 small flocks is practically nothing, as they will thrive and grow as insect de- 

 stroyers. Allowed to roam unmolested through growing crops they will do no dam- 

 age, and leave no trail except in the imdergrowth. The poults scatter about and 

 secure their share of bugs, worms, and flying insects, for it's the baby turkey's 

 nature to hunt, eat, and grow as they go. 



When there was a dearth of clover because of the destroying insect, a neighbor 

 who had a special spite against turkeys was the only man to have a crop. He had a 

 splendid yield of seed, and did not know what to lay it to only that a flock of tur- 

 keys had been in the field every day. He had jokingly said in the summer he'd be 

 after us for damages, but when fall came he had grace to acknowledge he was in 

 our debt. 



The statement by a woman that neighbor's turkeys were a nuisance was met by 

 the man appealed to for corroboration, by the reply that it was all owing to the state 

 of mind, a reply containing "multum in parvo." 



In caring for and feeding, the closer we follow nature the nearer we attain per- 

 fection of development, but there 'are many things to be considered. Their wander- 

 ing propensities can be lessened by regular and judicious "tolls," lay of land, soil, 

 water and many other items essential to success. None of our poults are with 

 turkey mothers; we do not house at night or during storms. Have had them come 

 through several days' rain bright and pert as robins. 



It costs no more to raise a thoroughbred than a mongrel. We have no trouble 

 to dispose of all the big birds we can spare on the market. Yes, it costs money and 

 time, and one must have a love for and a never flagging interest in her birds to 

 become a breeder worthy of recognition by the fraternity, but that time come, by 

 honest means, success is almost sure. The knowledge gained of business, birds, 

 and people has broadened and expanded our life and we feel that w^e have been 

 blessed in a greater than merely a financial sense. 



THE CULTURE OF HOED CROPS. 



DEONARD BROWN. Clio, at GENESEE COUNTY Institute, Clio. 



My reason for taking this subject is not that there has not been enough written 

 on It by our best agricultural writers, but that the farmer as a rule, is so hard to 

 convince that there is a better way than the one their fathers practiced. That 

 there is a great loss sustainied by the farmers in the usual mode of cultivating hoed 

 crops, I will endeavor to show, and give the remedy. In talking with farmers on 

 this subject, I am met with the remark that "We get a good crop our way." My 

 answer is: Yes, but you could get a better crop with less labor; and it is the extra 

 fifteen or twenty bushels that often makes the difference between loss and profit. 



