M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1856-04-24
Sgrltultural.
Farmers CIubs---What is Their
Value


not said word too much in favor OF
these institutions, and we doubt if half
their value has been told.
In Townships where they exist,
and are well sustained, a general
spirit of improvement soon manilests
itself, and the crops, the stock, the
buildings, and even the roads give ev-
id.nce of the beneficial inhuen-
ces at work. The farmers Of
Ohio could scarcely do a better thing
for their heads, hearts, or pockets, or
the prosperity and honor Of the State,
than the. establishment OF one or more
of these clubs in every township
We will point out briefly, few Of the
ways in which the good is effected.
/. Farmers Clubs promote habits
of observation. Many of the opera
tions of Nature of great interest to ag-
riculture remain unobserved, because
those whose privilege ir has been to
stand in Natures courts, for want Ut
attention and the exercise of a little
thought, have permitted golden oppor-
tunities to pass unimproved. If the
eyes, ears, and thoughts Of the far
mer were always about him, how
many valuable facts might almost dai-
ly be sent for record in our agricuItur-
al papers from every township If not
from every farm then there need be
no more complaint that our papers con-
tain too little that is practical, and too
much that is merely theoretical or
speculative but nothing so tends to
excite attention, and to promote habits
OF observation, as frequent meet
ings for the purpose of making COM
munications, listening to addresses, ol
participating in discussions. The des
ire to contribute to the entertainment
nndinstructlon of others, ,todo ones par
in such an association, will open the
eyes to the facts that else would have
been unseen, will prompt to enquiries
and comparisons that otherwise
would not have been made, and cal
to mind things which but for thi
stimulus would have been forgot
ten.
II. Farmers Clubs collect anC
disseminate valuable information
One possesses knowledge Of a subject
another has information respecting
something else, while third, ignoran
it may be fwhat they both know, il
specially acquainted with equally
important matters which dc not hap
pen to be understood by either Of his
neighbors. Since, then, every man
knows something, and no man, moi
even the best informed, knows every
thing, the knowledge Of the whole cal
only be made available to each, by
mutual and free exchange. To far
mers, such an exchange is especial.
desirable, because, when entering up
on their occupation, no systematic anC
thorough course OF. study to fit then
for it was enjoyed, such as one expect
who is to enter what are called til
professions. But if farmers will as
sociate for the purpose of gettini
good, they may acquire and difius
all the necessary information relatin!
to their calling, as effectuGlly as on
who enters the professions obtain
it by years of systematic study.
Ill. These associations awaken {
spirit Of emulation, which is as neces
sary to most grown persons as it il
acknowledged to be to children, anC
quite as benifcial in agriculture as il
science and art. The influence thii
feeling has on mankind is wonderful
labor, hardship, or expense are born,
che6rfully at its promptings; whateve
is possible, it will accomplish; it il
tho philosophers stone, transmutin,
the dull drudgery of daily toll int
anilnating and delightful employment
A few persons, who have an enthusi
astic love Of agriculture, can worI
away quietly and alone, endevoriny
to realize their ideal but in general
men are apt to settle down into a Ia
zy sliphold way Of doing things. unles
stimulated by the hope Of being fore
most, or spurred on by the dislike {
falling behind But farmers Clubs
not only excite emulation among til
members, but the whole communit
will drink in their spirit and manifes
its enlivening efforts.
". Farmers clubs sometime
undertake Incorporation Of improve
stock, or seeds, or implements, ant
TINS accomplish by means Of associa
ton what would often be too extensiv
for individual enterprise. In this way
most valuable results have been OF
tained ,andthe only wonder is thatsom
thing of the kind hasnot been NOR
frequently attempted. In other cases
they have jointly undertaken extend
ed experiments, and succeeded in eS
tablishing important truths, with yer
little individual risk or expense. ]
short, there are so many ways i
which Farmers clubs have prove