664 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
OCT. 4 
ritory as little more than a vast swamp, wholly unsulted 
to agricultural purposes, while in the southern and west¬ 
ern parts, there were high and dry timbered lands equal 
to the sustenance of a large population. Further, if a 
heavy growth of timber covered the prairies even a 
thousand years ago, the earth would be likely to yet 
retain some organic remains of the roots and certainly 
some evidence or trace of partially preserved timber would 
be found in the sloughs. But railroad engineers and con¬ 
tractors tell me they have never found recognized evidence 
of root growth in the cuts made across and through the 
ridges in the open prairies, and parties engaged in cutting 
ditches along the line of sloughs and across marshy places, 
have never encountered anything that resembled the re¬ 
mains of an ancient or recent growth of forest timber. 
As further testimony to important changes in the 
climate and surface conditions of prairie within the 
century, was the occurrence of the very remarkable snow 
storm about Christmas time in 1806, which caught the 
buffalo, elk and deer still in eastern Illinois. According 
to tradition and oral accounts (for there are no others), 
the snow lasted for nearly a week, falling to a depth of 
six to seven feet, and finishing with a crust so strong as to 
hold the buffalo, elk and deer where they had gathered in 
large numbers, in creek bottoms and groves, till they 
starved to death by thousands upon thousands. To the 
observer on the ground, with the support of these facts 
behind him, the conclusion he arrives at is that the hypoth¬ 
esis of Prof. Shaler is not tenable nor will it be until 
there is some sufficient explanation of these facts. 
But to come down to 40 or 50 years ago. In 1840, the ag” 
riculture of the State was exclusively confined to the tim¬ 
bered portion on the edges of the groves and along the 
margins of streams. Indeed, no longer ago than in 1853, in 
this county, one Matthews moving from Sadorus a mile 
into the prairie ana taking up a quarter section of United 
States Government land, was voted little less than a fool 
by his neighbors for undertaking to make a crop there. 
From 1835 to 1845 cotton svas successfully grown on a small 
scale in Sangamon County, and up to 1857 there were the 
remains of the old gin houses within a mile of the capital 
at Springfield. At those times the castor bean was a favor¬ 
ite crop in and south of the latitude of St. Louis. From 
1845 to 1855 spring wheat was a profitable crop from lati¬ 
tude 39 northward. During the same decade in the same 
section, where apple, pear and peach trees had acquired 
sufficient age, fruitfulness was the rule and disease nearly 
unknown. The peach fruited as often as the apple, and the 
grapes matured without interference from rot, mildew or 
rust. The soil so abounded in fertility that to get 50 or 60 
bushels of sound corn required scarcely more than a day’s 
labor of man and team to tho acre, and there was nothing 
in the way of a full crop of oats except an excess of plant 
food in the soil, that produced overgrowth and rusting, 
when too deeply drawn upon by over preparation of the 
surface soil. A crop of Irish potatoes was almost as certain 
as the growth of the grasses in the wild prairies, and com¬ 
mon garden vegetables came to satisfactory maturity 9 
years in 10. Except in dry seasons, the primitive farm 
pond furnished stock water, the sloughs rarely went dry 
and the creeks never. The house and stock wells were 
sunk 10 to 15 feet down and afforded a perennial supply of 
water, and often hogsheads put down on the lower edge of 
a prairie ridge, furnished stock water through the driest 
seasons. But in the 50 years since 1840, a surprising change 
has come over the prairies, as well as to their general and 
special features as to the making of crops grown thereon, 
and of this some account will be given in a following 
chapter. _ _ 
THE IDEAL FARMERS’ INSTITUTE. 
How To Hold It In Your Neighborhood. 
PROF. A. J. COOK. 
Being widespread and permanent, farmers' institutes 
should be improved to the utmost; suggestions to this 
end; duties of the superintendent; importance of a 
good president and modes of selecting him; hints on 
methods of holding institutes; the question box; sup¬ 
plementary State help; reducin g expenses. 
The farmers’ institute has become a recognized institu¬ 
tion in most of the more enterprising States of our country; 
having won for itself a place among the several educating 
influences that are working to benefit the condition of the 
farmer; it is well, therefore, to consider the matter 
thoroughly, in order that every effort may be made to the 
end that each institute should confer the greatest benefit 
upon every one in attendance. When any institution be¬ 
comes general, it is wise to spare no pains of thought, 
study and exertion to make it as nearly perfect as possible. 
A few cents’reduction in the price of a telescope—an instru¬ 
ment rarely used—is of small moment; in a box of matches 
—an article that goes into every house—it is of great 
importance. If the institute were infrequent and influenced 
but a few, its betterment would not be important, but as 
it is now common and affects thousands, all improvement 
is very important. 
To secure the maximum good the institute should be 
largely attended by earnest, enterprising farmers, with 
their wives and families; each meeting should be made in 
the highest degree interesting and profitable to all in at¬ 
tendance ; and the fruits of the institute should not only be 
great, but lasting in their benefits. It is the purpose of 
this paper to suggest methods whereby this may be accom¬ 
plished ; to describe an ideal institute ; and to suggest how 
the influence may be made most powerful and lasting. Hav¬ 
ing attended, and taken part in institutes in Michigan for 
15 years, in New York for three winters, in Wisconsin for 
two, and in Ohio for one, I am not without observation 
and shall draw from the methods practiced in each of these 
States, as they seem to me valuable. 
To secure a large attendance at a farmers’ institute, de¬ 
pends that the local interest be thoroughly aroused prior 
to the date of the institute. To effect this a live, wide¬ 
awake man should visit each locality some weeks before 
the institute is to be held. He should be enthusiastic in 
the matter, and should visit personally the editors, the 
several clergymen, and the most enterprising business men 
of the place, and interest each and all of them. He should 
also extend to each a very cordial invitation to attend a 
preliminary meeting previously provided for by the lead¬ 
ing farmers of the locality and himself, to be held the 
same day where all the needful preparations should be pro¬ 
vided for. 
At this preliminary meeting, the object of the institute, 
the plan of conducting it, the methods of securing a large 
attendance, suggestions as to making it in the highest 
degree interesting and profitable are all explained and dis¬ 
cussed. It is explained that music, a display of fruits, 
grains and flowers, a first-class programme and a wide-a¬ 
wake, experienced president are all highly valuable, es¬ 
pecially the last two, in the make up of the ideal farmers’ 
institute. Therefore committees on music, on exhibits, 
and on a programme are appointed. In arranging the 
programme it is suggested that only two, or, at the most, 
three papers should be given for each session. This per¬ 
mits discussion, which is often the best part of the insti¬ 
tute. It is suggested that at least two or three ladies 
should be engaged to present papers, as this aids in secur¬ 
ing a good attendance of ladies, which is exceedingly de¬ 
sirable. The man who attends an institute without his 
wife gains only a partial benefit. It is also suggested that 
the topics be live and practical and be treated by those of 
experience; and that the papers be short and suggestive 
rather than exhaustive. It is well that information re¬ 
garding reduced rates on railroads, and at hotels, when 
such courtesies are granted, be announced in the pro¬ 
grammes as inducements to increased attendance. Of 
course the music and exhibits will be mentioned in the 
printed programme. These should be ready for distribu¬ 
tion at least two or three weeks before the institute, 
should be spread broadcast and copied into all the papers 
of the place and neighboring towns. The music not only 
adds to the interest and to the refining influence of the 
meetings, but also to the attendance. The display of 
Measurements of the Race-horse Ormonde. 
Fig. 291. 
fruits, etc., is instructive, and gives a text for discussions 
during the brief intermissions. The importance of a good 
president cannot be exaggerated. He keeps things lively, 
can stop debates that are improper, tedious or rambling, 
and yet hurt no one’s feelings; in fact, he is the very life 
of the Institute. In these days of the Grange, it is not 
difficult to secure among the farmers a first class presiding 
officer in almost any farming community. 
In Wisconsin, one of the conductors of the institute pre¬ 
sides. While this secures a live president, it is not the 
ideal plan, as the presiding officer does not know the 
people, and so is at a disadvantage. In New York a new 
president is elected at each session. This results in secur¬ 
ing some very poor presiding officers. I think a permanent 
chairman—the best in the place—right from the locality, 
is the right man in the right place. With these commit¬ 
tees composed of good, wide-awake, interested men or 
women, all at work, there is little fear that the two first 
objects mentioned above will be surely realized. A printed 
circular—d la Sec. J. S. Woodward, of New York—or an 
autograph letter—d la Mr. Morrison, of Wisconsin—sent a 
few days before the institute to all editors and clergymen 
in the vicinity, will quicken their memories, secure further 
notices in papers and in the churches, and will pay well for 
the trouble. Wisconsin has a superintendent whose whole 
energy—and he has much of it—is spent in rousing the 
public interest. He sends circulars to be read in each 
school in the vicinity, and sends personal letters to many 
leading men in the county. With this preliminary work 
well performed, the success of the institute is, I think, as¬ 
sured. 
The institute generally lasts about five sessions. I think 
the Michigan plan of commencing with the afternoon of 
one day and closing with the evening of the second day is 
the best. It is difficult for the farmers, with their many 
chores, to reach the institute early in the day. Thus the 
first session, unless after dinner, is likely to be thinly at¬ 
tended ; but with two rousing meetings, full of life and 
interest the first day, there is little trouble about the 
second. The wide-awake farmers feel that they can not 
afford to lose any of the institute, and so all are on hand 
promptly at every session. When scientific papers, or 
those from experts, are to be given, they should be sand¬ 
wiched in at every session. Thus here in Michigan we 
have one or two papers from the college professors, and one 
or two from the people of the locality for each session. I 
doubt if this plan cap be improved upon. 
It is exceedingly wise to have a question box, where any 
one may put a question that he desires to have answered. 
The question box may be opened at the beginning of each 
session, and should be in charge of some bright, sharp, 
well informed person, who should draw out the questions, 
and either answer them himself or call upon some com¬ 
petent person to do so. This may be made one of the most 
interesting and valuable features of the institute. As be¬ 
fore stated, the regular papers should only discuss live, 
practical topics; but as these are, and must be limited, the 
question box gives opportunity for other themes and 
topics to be discussed. In this way such important topics 
as the silo, dairying, fruit culture, care of stock, co-opera¬ 
tion, etc., etc., will be considered, and the people will be 
vastly benefited. No wonder Wisconsin built 1,000 silos 
the summer after her 50 institutes; no wonder the'people 
everywhere, where institutes have been held, are loud in 
their praise, and eloquent in urging their continuance. 
But how can the institutes be made continuous and most 
fruitful of good ? Of course, asSecretary Woodward says, 
if a man takes his wife he will get double the information 
and will remember more than double the amount, as noth¬ 
ing fixes the information like talking it over with those we 
love; yet the institutes will not do all that they should, 
unless an organization is formed at each place; so that 
each year an institute shall be held in the same place, or in 
different places in the same couuty, to be run by local 
talent and such other aid as can be brought In. In this 
way the good seed is sown yearly, as the institute becomes 
a permanent institution. This is the Michigan plan. 
Every place is urged to make the institute an annual intel¬ 
lectual and agricultural feast. Thus scores of counties 
are having their excellent institutes every winter, while 
of the State institutes there are to be held only 11 this 
winter. Each county in her turn will receive the added 
information and impetus which the State institute gives. 
One word more—as to the expense. If the institutes of 
each week are arranged along lines of railroads, the ex¬ 
pense of the preliminary meetings and of holding the in¬ 
stitutes will be much reduced. Last week I visited four 
places to arrange for this winter’s institutes. The entire 
expense was not double what It would have been to visit 
one place alone. So much for economy in arranging places 
and dates of meetings. These four institutes are on one 
line of railroad. They commence on Monday and close on 
Friday, thus overlapping. Thus a part of the college force 
is in attendance at the commencement of one institute, 
and the rest at the close. All are present only the first 
day of the first institute of the week, and the second day 
of the last one. 
MEASUREMENTS OF ORMONDE. 
This celebrated English race-horse has been sent to South 
America. Just before his departure for that country an 
expert took his “measurements,” and his figures are 
illustrated by the diagram shown at Fig. 291, which is re- 
engraved from the London Live Stock Journal. The fol¬ 
lowing table fully explains the diagram : 
EXPLANATION OF DIAGRAM OF ORMONDE. 
Ft 
a Hlght: 16 h. H4, or. 5 
b Kntlre length from areatest projection of chest to greatest 
projection of quarter. 5 
c Entire length from occiput (between ears) to root of tall. 6 
d Length of head . 2 
e Neck, narrowest part. 1 
/ From the “ pin ” or focus of the hair growth, Immediately In 
front of Ilium to the extreme projection of quarter.... 2 
0 From elbow to stifle. 2 
Fore Extremity. 
h From ground to elbow. 8 
i From ground to trapezium (back of kneel . I 
i Width below knee. 0 
k Width immediately above knee. 0 
l Width of arm at elbow level. 0 
Bind Extremity. 
m From ground to point of calcls (hock). 2 
n Width below hock .. 0 
o Width above hock (second thigh or gaskin). 0 
In. 
5 « 
4 
10 
1 
1 
0 
9 
0 
71 * 
This plan of measuring celebrated horses is a good one. 
It would be well if such diagrams could accompany 
portraits of animals. This is a suggestion for some of our 
live stock breeders. Such diagrams would add a good deal 
to the value of their catalogues. 
CORRESPONDENTS’ VIEWS. 
Plenty of Canned Tomatoes.— More tomatoes have 
been grown this season than for years. Canners are putting 
up a heavy stock, and as each factory contracted for from 
300 to 500 acres, for the past week growers have run in 
more than they have facility to handle, and quite a large 
lot has been shipped to Baltimore, Md. The sight of 50 
tons on the wagons at one time waiting to be unloaded 
around some of the larger factories is not unusual. 
Dover, Delaware. A. G. s. 
Opportunities to Marry Well.— Recently I have 
been informed by two young men that one reason for 
leaving the farm is, that it seems to them a young farmer 
cannot marry so well as young men in other occupations; 
in other words, that young farmers must take the second 
choice of the marriageable girls of their section. Is this so ? 
My young friends tell me it is true. They say that the 
better class of young women of to-day avoid, when possible, 
the hard work, the small pay, the inconveniences, the iso¬ 
lation and the general cheerless surroundings of the aver¬ 
age farm. It is doubtless true that the bright girls see that 
life in towns is easier, on the average, than is life on a 
farm, and when they have a chance, they elect to go to a 
town. It seems to me there is here a lesson for young 
men. If they will adopt the true plan and take their 
wives as equal partners, to share equally all profits as well 
as all losses; if each is well provided with all domestic 
labor-saving machinery as is the farm; if she has help as 
the farmer has help ; if the home is made pleasant in all 
its exterior surroundings; if there is a large vegetable and 
fruit garden ; if the money so often spent for cigars and 
beer were spent for flowers and for little articles to deco¬ 
rate the home, or accumulated for nice furniture, or books, 
