The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-10-18
Farmers Clubs.

Among the best Observation-Disclosures 10 awaken
interest in the improvements IN our modes OF
cultivation, there are none than stand higher
than the one named at the head Of this article.
A few words as to the uses of these associa-
tons. and their mode of action, may not be
thrown away. Every farmer has I'eculiari.ias
in his management of each branch of his call
ing, and for every one Of his peculiarities, if
he is sensible man, he has a reason that 70
him is abundantly satisfactory. He is conf
dent that if his neighbor would but follow his
mode Of cultivating a crop or rearing ami
NAL, he would be greatly benefited, and emf
nently more successful than he is To follow his
own. While his neighbor believes precisely
the same in regard TO HIM. Let these two
men with half dozen others who hold all
shades of opinion on the points where the two
differ, meet to discuss the mooted questions.
and there are hundred chances to one that
the opinions and practice of every man in the
room would be modified and improved. In
the present unsatisfactory condition Of agri-
cultural science. next to long series of care
fully conducted. well arranged, detailed e1-
perments there is nothing much 10 be de
sired bringing out of opinions, and
comparison of the practices of practical men.
And we can conceive of no means SO well cal
culated to do It as a pleasant neighborhood
gathering Of farmers Of an evening, to TAX
over the modes of practice pursued by them
Individually in reference 10 some particular
subject to which the evening is devoted
There need he no formality speech making
let 1t be entire y "A conversational meeting,
and a record kept of the mode advocated by
each person, in order TO give some value and
perpetuity to the discussion.
On, word for 1t. u dozen farmers III any
town who will meet and start some subject TO
be discussed. for instance the best mode Of
harvesting Indian corn, whether to cut it 10
the ground or To cut the stalks and leave it to
ripen on the hill--the best time to p!ow sward
land for corn, and thousand other things
where men differ, will soon ind that the loss
of dinner will be preferred to missing the
meeting of the club.
And no dozen men can get together and
pass one evening In two weeks through the
winter aud discuss questions upon which they
are all well informed. without giving and get
ting more useful knowledge than they sup
pose, every one will find his views more or
less changed, will have the satisfaction of
seeing that his neshbor has changed his and
his practice. We have seen the working Of
an institution of this sort, and instance
Individual and aggregate practice wonderfully
improved through its influence. and con
ident that none of the members of that body
Club.
The mode of management is very simple;
IN organization for order is required merely
President. Vice President, Clerk and Treasu- )
-er, a tax Just sufficient to heat and light the
-oom used. and no more subject Is chosen
o be discussed AT the next meeting. and two
men or four who supposed to look at the
subject differently appointed to think = lit
lie upon the matter. and to break groun in q
he discussion. One of the mea at the meet
ng gives his notions upon the matter in hand
itting down, and with no sort of Formally.
t any one differs with him, he states his
opinions and his reasons; the courtesy that Z
maintains good order, prevents confusion, but a
here will be plenty Of warm debate and +
troag advocacy of individual views. We .
arnesuy commend this matter to our readers t
Those who have experienced the advantages
4 an institution of this kind. will advance the n
interest of progressive agriculture II they will +
urnsh . detail of the workings of their own
Institutions, the subjects discussed, and the
enefits derived ?