Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1856-01-17
FARMERS, CLUES,

awaken interest in the Improvement of our
modes of cultivation, there are none that
stand higher than the one named at the
head of this article. A few words as 70
the uses Of these associations and their
mode of actioni may not be thrown away.
Every farmer has peculiarities in his man.
| agement Of each branch of his calling, and
for every one Of his peculiari,ies, if he is q
| sensible man, he has reason that to him
is abundantly satisfactory. He Is conf
dent that If his neighbor would but follow
his mode of cultivatihg crop or rearing an
animal, he would be greatly benefited, and
| eminenily more So ,cessful than he is to
lieves precisely the same thing in regard to
him. Let these two men, with half doz.
| en- others who held 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 opinA
ions and practice of every than in the room
would be modified and improved.
In the present unsatisfactory condition of
agricultural science, next TO long series
oil carefully conducted, we'll arranged, de-
tailed. experiments, there is nothing SO
much to b. desired as a bringing out Of
opinions, and comparison of the practices
OF practical men. And we can conceive Of
no means so well calculated 10 do il as .
pleasant neighborhood gathering of farmers
Of an evening, to talk over the modes of
practice pursued by them individually in
reference to some particular subject 10 which
the evening is devoted. There need be no
formality or speech making; let il be en-.
tirely conversational meeting, and res
cord kept of the mode advocated by each
person, in order to give some value and
perpeiui,y to the discussions.
Our word for it, dozen farmers in any
town who will meet and start some suhject
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 pillow sward land for corn, and thou.
sand other things where men differ, will
soon find that the loss Of dinner will b
preferred to missing of the club.
And no dozen men can get together and
pass one evening il Two weeks through
the Winter and discuss questions upon
which they are all well informed, without
giving and getting more useful knowledge
than they suppose, every one OF them will
find his views more or less changed, or
will have the satisfaction VI seeing that his
nrighbor has changed his and his practice.
We have seen the working OF an institution
Of this sort, and can instance individual
and aggregate practice wonderfully i'm.
proved through its influence, aid are cons
fident that none Of the members OF that body
regret the time and trouble invested in tbs
Farmers Club.
The mode Of infringement Ia very simple
an or.anizaiion for order REQUIRES merely
President, Vice President, Clerk and
Treasurer, tax just sufficient t. heat and
light the room used and no more; sub
j.ct is chosen to be discussed at the next
meeting, and two men or four, who ate sups
posed TO think little upon the matter, to
break ground in the discussion. One Of
these men a. the meeting gives his opinion
upon the mattel In hand sitting down, and
with no sort of formali,y,-if any one diff
frs with him he states his opinions and
| ohjeclions--the courtesy that maintains
good ordef prevents confusion, but theirs
, will he plenty OF warm debate, and strong
advocacy of individual views.
We earnestly recommend this matter 10
our readers. Clubs will confer a favor il
they will send US reports Of their dlscusA
sions-we will be glad TO publish any
thing that possesses general interest
Those who have experienced the sdvanta.
ges Of an institution Of this sort, will ada
vance the interest Of progressive agricul-
ture, If they will furnish the details Of tile
workings Of their own institutions, the SUBJ
jects discussed and the benefit derived.