Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-03-05
VOL. 2.--NO. 80.
FARMERS CLUBS.


Among the best instrumentalities 70 awaken
interest in the improvement of our modes o.
cultivation, there are none that stand higher
than the one named at the head of this article
| i few words as to the uses OF these associa.
tions and their mode OF action, may not bo
thrown away. Every farmer has peculiarities
| in his management OF each branch OF his call
ing, aud for every one of his peculiaritiss, il
/ he is a sensible man, he has reason that 20
! him is abundantly satisfacS5ry. He is conf
dent that if his neighbo- would but follow t.s
mode of cultivating a crop or rearing an ami
NAL, he would be greatly benefited, and emil
nently moro successful than he is to follow his
own; while the 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 a hundred chances to one that
the opinions and practice of every man in the
room would be modified and improved. In
thepresent unsatisfactory condition of agricul.
turai science, next to a long series Of careful
ly conducted, well arranged, detailed expert
ments, there is nothing SO much TO be desired
son OF the practices of practical men. And
we can conceive of no means so well calcula.
ted to do il as pleasant ncighborhood gather
ing OF farmers Of an evening, to talk over the
modes practice pursued by them individual
y IN reference to some particular subject to
which the evening is devoted. There need
be no fornality or speech making let it be en-
tirely conversational meeting, and a record
Kept OF the mode advocated by each person.
IN order to give some value and perpctu:ty to
the discussion.
Our word for il, dozen farmers IN any town
who viii meet and start some subject TO be
discussed, IS for instance the best mode Of
harvesting Indian corn, whether to cut it TO
the ground or to cut the stalks and leave II to
rpen on the hill; the best time TO plow sward
land for corn, and thousand other things
where men differ, will soon find that the loss
OF q dinner viii be preferred to missing the
And no dozen men can get together and
pass one evening in two weeks through tho
winter and discuss questions upon which they
are all well informed, without giving and get
ing more useful knowledge than they suppose;
every one fthenl will find his views more or
ess changed, or viii have the satisfaction Of
seeing that his neighbor has changed his and
'.@ oractice. We have seen the working OF
III inS'i'utioii oi ti,as -~-.-snd can instance in
uVIdual and aggregate practice 1<.-s-
improved through its influence, and areSs
Gent that none Of the members of that body
egret the time and trouble invested in the
'armer's Club.
The mode of management is very simple
an organization FOR order requires merely
resident, V. President, Clerk, and Treasurer;
tax just sufficient to heat and light the room
sec and no more; subject is chosen to BIS
iscussed at the next meeting, and two men
r four, who are supposed TO think a little upon
ne matter, to break gronnd in the discussion.
Inc OF these men at the meeting gives his
pinions upon the matter in hand sitting down,
nd with 10 sort Of formality. If any one diff
,rs with him he states his opinion and objec-
ons the courtesy that maintains good order
revents confusion, but there viii be plenty Of
arm debate and strong advocacy OF indivi6u-
yiews.-Ihe Homestead