Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-04-30
fm tge farmer.
FARMERS CLUBs-wHATI Is THEIR
VALUEl

or Earmers' Gubs as they are called
We are satisfied that we have not said
word too much in favor OF these iuSiilu
lions, and we doubt if half their value
has been told.
la the townships where they exist, ant
are well sustained, a general spirit of i'm
pnoyement saon manifests itself; the crops
the stock, and buildings, and ven tht
roads give evidence of the beneficial in
luences at work. The farmers of Ohic
could scarcely do a better thing for theiI
heads, hearts, or pockets, or the prospect
ty and honor of the State, than the estab'
lishmeht of one or moro of these clubs il
every township. W. will point out brief
ly, a few ofIhe ways in which the good
is effected.
l. Farmers Clubs promote habits OF
observation. Many of The operations OF
Nature, of great interest TO agriculture re-
main ulobSerVed, because those whose
privilege il has been 10 stand in Natures
courts, for want of attention and the ex-
ercise of a little thought, have permitted
golden opportunities to pass unimproved.
If The eyes, ears, aud thoughts of the far
mer were always about him, how many
valuable facts might almost daily be sent
for record in our agriculture papers from
every township, il not from every farm;
then there need be no more complaint that
our papers contain o. little that is prac-
tical, and too much hat is merely the
o~retical or speculative; but nothing 50
tends TO excite attention, and 10 promote
observation, as frequent meetings for the
purpose If making communications, lis
tening 10 addresses, or participating in dis
cussions. The desire to contribute 10 the
en:ertainm, nj and instruction of others, 10
do ones part il such an association, will
open the eyes to facts thar else would have
been unseen, will prompt TO enquiries and
comparisons hat Otherwise would not have
been made, and call 10 mind things which
but for The stimulus would have been for.
gotten.
=. Farmers Clubs collect and dissent
nate valuable information. One possesses
knowledge of a few subjects, another has
information respecting something else,
while a third, Ignorant it may be of what
they both know, is specially acquainted
with equally important matters whiCh do
not happen 10 be understood by either of
his neighbors. Since, then, every man
knows something, and no man, not even
the best informed, knows everything, the
knowledge of the whole can only be avail
able to each, by a mutual and free ex-
change. To farmers, such an exchange
is especially desirable, because, when en-
ieriHg upon their occupation, no sys,ema-
tic and thorough course of study TO fit
them for ii was enjoyed, such as one ex-
poets who is 10 enter what are called the
Professions. But iffarmers will associate
for The purpose Of getting good, and doing
good, they may acquire and diffuse all
the necessary information relating tolheir
calling, as effectually as one who enters
the profession obtains it by years OF sys-
iematic study.
3. These associations awaken a spirit
Of emulation which is as necessary to
most grown persons as ii is acknowledged
to be to children, and quite as beneficial
in agriculture as in science or ant. The
influence this feeling has on mankind is
wonderful; labor, hardship or expense are
borne cheeIfully at its promptings; what.
ever is possible it will accomplish; it. is
the philosophers stone, transmitting the
dull drugery CT daily toll into aaimating
and delightful employment. A few per-
sons who have an enthusiastic love of ag-
rlculture, a work away quietly and
alone, ~endeavouring to realize their ideal;
but in general, men are apt to settle down
into a lazy slipshod way of doing things,
unless stimulated by the hope of being
foremost, or sPurred on by the dislike of
behind. But Farmers Clubs no,
only excite emr' ation among the members,
but the whole community will soon drink
in their syirit and manifest its enliyening
4. Far ers'C Clubs sometimes undertake
importation of improved stock, oe
seeds Or implements, and thus accomplish
by means OF association what would often
be too expensive for Individual enterprise.
In this way most valuable results have
been obtained, and :he only wonder is that
something Of the kind has not been more
attempted. In other cases
they have jointly undertaken extended ex-
periments, and succeeded in establishing
important truths, with very little individ.
ual risk or expense. In shor', there are
50 many ways in which Farmers Clubs
have proved beneficial, that 10 undertake
their enumeration would be a hopeless
Other features of these institutions
may be noticed al another lime Ohio
Farmer.
HOW TO START MELONS.