FARMERS' INSTITUTES. l^S* 



obtained by planting wliole potatoes -wltli a liaud planter, bnt I never yet failed in- 

 having a satisfactory stand. 



For main crop the besc time for planting is about the middle of .Tune. Diligent 

 cultivation will keep your vines improving during the dry part of the season, then, 

 when showers come they will fairly jump. 



Use Paris-green when the bugs are small and oblige them to eat it by putting it 

 where they are; don't make them wander all over the vines to find it, as they are- 

 not swift walkers and travelling in the hot sun is unpleasant. 



At digging time we pick the potatoes up in baskets or crates and draw them into- 

 an out-door cellar daily; leaving ventilators open until winter sets in in earnest. 



SUGAR BEET GROWING. 



J. W. LOCKE, Laporte, at MIDLAND COUNTY Institute, Midland. 



Plow the ground deep about the first of May, in this latitude. Roll and drag 

 thoroughly. Plant about the 20th of May, in rows from 21 to 30 inches apart, and 

 four to five inches between seeds in the row. Depth of planting about one inch 

 is my belief. 



The best sugar producing ground is clay loam, well drained, with plenty of sun- 

 shine. The field must be free from weeds and shade trees. When the plants are 

 in the second and third leaf commence to cultivate carefully. Next time over culti- 

 vate deeper with spike-tooth cultivator. I also find a one-horse weeder very ser 

 vicable. When beets are well along, hoe thoroughly with beet hoe while cultivating 

 is in progress. 



All seed should be screened, only planting the best. The amount per acre, six to- 

 eight pounds; using the most approved beet drill. 



When harvest time is near, consult the manufacturer; when the order is made 

 on your number of contract for beets proceed at once to dig and top by the most 

 approved plan. There are several plans in view — two patents since last harvest 

 to top and pull with— horse power and man power. 



The manifold blessings derived from beet sugar manufactured under this govern- 

 ment are shown by the fact that it saved in 1898 the importation of between five 

 and six per cent of sugar imported and consumed every twelve months, keeping the 

 money in our own country for circtdation. The one hundred million dollars sent 

 abroad annually for sugar will be saved in wliole or part and laid out in improving 

 roads and building factories. Ivaboi-. science and capital will go hnd in hand under 

 the protection and guidance of our government, on our own soil. 



The demands for beet sugar are increasing yearly at a rapid rate. Education,, 

 science and refinement aiding in its use and production. 



It has already been demonstrated that what we subsist on has its particular 

 effect on the mind and body of man. Pure sugar will find its own marlvet. As the 

 world is civilized the demand for pure sugar increases. 



SOME REFORMS IN EDUCATION. 



STEPHEN H. LANGTON, Ida, at MONROE COUNTY Farmers' Institute, Dundee. 



W'hat then is to be done in this matter? How shall we approach the problem 

 of correcting the artificial education of rural and city schools? It seems to me- 

 that the requirements of teachers ought to be changed. The superficial knowledge 

 demanded by the State Department of so many subjects ought to be forever put 

 aside. If a teacher has the ear marks of true culture; namely, a trained mind; a 

 thorough knowledge of mathematics and English, he or she is ready to help the 

 children of the common people in the ])ossession of that inestimable treasure, true 

 culture, which is the only practical education a child can have. In real common 

 sense, in ability to think for himself, the average teacher in the district school is 

 below the average farmer. And this is through no fault of theirs. Not having' 

 tiie ability or time to master so many subjects, they end by having a mastery of 

 none. The old fashioned school teacher who knew how to cipher, spell and write 



