FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 331 



HOW TO RAISE 60c. WHEAT. 



FRANK R. SMITH, SOMERSET, AT HILLSDALE COUNTY INSTITUTE. 



To raise 60c. wheat at a profit, you must cheapen the cost of production. To do 

 this we must arrange the rotation of our crops in such a way as to have our wheat 

 preceded by some crop that will leave the ground in shape for it without plowing. 

 Corn has been the leading crop for this purpose, and it is yet a good crop to follow 

 with wheat provided the ground is cleaned from weeds and in good condition for the 

 wheat crop. A great many object to raising wheat after corn because they say they 

 cannot get a crop. Now, the diflBculty in such cases is that the land is not in condi- 

 tion. Land that is rich enough for a good corn crop will give a good wheat crop, 

 unless perhaps it be low land or heavy soil. You can not expect a good crop of 

 wheat on land too poor to grow good corn. A great drawback in growing wheat 

 after corn, is we usually get it too late to give it sufficient start in the fall. How- 

 ever, if it be put in early with ground well fitted, we usually get a good crop. In the 

 same field last year we could see no difference between the corn stubble wheat and 

 the oat stubble wheat. In our locality beans are being used quite extensively, and 

 we find it a good crop to follow with wheat. 



LITTLE THINGS. 



JAY SESSIONS, MAPLE RAPIDS, AT CLINTON COUNTY INSTITUTE. 



A person going to build a house or barn or lay out his farm into fields must 

 arrange with reference to a plan that will have everything in its most convenient 

 place. In short, have a system and not the tumble together style that is so often 

 practiced. Of course all these little details apply with equal force in the proper 

 arrangement of stock. Many a poor farmer will turn his poor sheep into a field dur- 

 ing the hottest and dryest time in summer where no water is to be found, and in the 

 fall, to save a little feed, compel them to shiver in fence corners, and then by spring 

 have a few living skeletons and plenty of pelts. Such a one generally thinks sheep 

 don't pay, especially without a high tariff on wool. 



Not to dwell with details we will, for a minute, look at "little things" from a 

 hygienic standpoint. At first the wonderful power of heredity, over which we have 

 no control so far as ourselves are concerned, has a great influence on health, but it 

 is a problem that ought to be handled in some way for the good future generations. 

 Every intelligent breeder of domestic animals obeys this law, and without properly 

 considering it our fine breeds of live stock could never have been produced. Is a 

 perfect animal of the genus homo any the less to be desired? 



Many things contribute to the general health. Cleanliness of the body is one of 

 the most essential, but possibly one of the most neglected with a large class of peo- 

 ple. To many, the statement will seem incredible that a large number of so called 

 civilized people go from year to year without a good bath, but there is no doubt but 

 that such is a fact. Proper clothing in reference to comfort is an essential, and with 

 children is often sadly neglected. Pure water for family use is much to be desired, 

 but by no means always obtained. Barn-yard and out-house drainage into the well 

 is not calculated to save doctor bills. A good tubular well is perhaps the only safe 

 one from which to draw the family supply of water. I will not stop to mention the 

 influence proper arrangement of all surroundings so as to be convenient and pleas- 

 ant has over health. 



