Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-03-05
FARMERS, CLuRS.

Among the best instrumentalities 10 awaken
interest in the Improvement of our modes Of
cultivation, there are mono that stand higher
than the one named at the head of this article.
few words as to the uses of these associa-
tions and their mode of action, may not 10
thrown away. Every farmer has peculiarities
in his management of each branch of his call
ing, and for every one ofhis peculiaritiss, If
he Is a sensible man, he has a reason that TO
him is abundantiy sltisfaqS5ry. He is cond-
dent that if his neghbor would but follow hts
mode of cuitivating crop or rearing a. ami
NAL, he would be greatly benefited, and emf
nently more 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 tho
room would be modified and improved. In
s..--.,
tural science, next to a long series of careful
ly conducted, well arranged, detailed expert
ulents, there is nothing SO much to be desired
as bringing out of opinions, and compari.
son of the practices of practical men. And
we can conceive of no means so we'll calcula-
ted to do it pleasant ncighborhood gather
ing Of farmers of an evening, to talk over the
modes of practice pursued by them individual
ly in reference to some particular subject 10
which the evening is devoted. There need
be no formality or speech making let it be en-
tirely q conversational meeting, and record
kept of the mode advocated by each person,
in order to give some value and perpetuity to
the discussion.
Our word for it, dozen farmers in any town
who will meet and start some subject to be
discussed, as for instance the best mode Of
harvesting Indian corn, whether to cut it to
the ground or to cut the stalks and leave It to
ripen 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 dinner will be preferred to missing ths
meeting Of the club.
And no dozen men can get together and
pass one evening in two weeks through the
winter and discuss questions upon which they
are all well informed, without giving and get
ting more useful knowledge than they suppose;
every one ofthem will find his views more or
less changed, or will have the satisfaction Of
seeing that his neighbor has changed his and
his practice. We have seen the working of
an institution of this sort, and can instance iu-
diyidual and aggregate practice wonderfully
improved through its influence, and are con-
fdent that none of the mombers of that body
regret the time and trouble invested in tho
Farmers Club.
The mode Of management is very simple
an organization for order requires merely .
President, V. President, Clerk, and Treasurer;
a tax just sufficient to heat and light the room
useG and no more subject is chosen to be
discussed at the next meeting, and two men
or four, who are supposed to think little upon
the matter, to break ground in the discussion.
One OF these men at the meeting gives his
opinions upon the matter in hand sitting down,
and with no sort of formality y,-ifany one diff
fers with him he states his opinion and ohjec-
;ions; the courtesy that maintains good order
prevents confusion, but there viii be plenty OF
warm debate and strong advocacy of individu.
al yiews.-Ihe Homestead.