The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-11-27
MARCUS WATSON. PRINTER.
asritulturul.
Farmers Clubs


that demands special attention and cultiva-
tion. In tho winter, it is the mind that re-
quirss disciplinins, esltivatins, furnishing,
and training. Practical knowledge and
skill, when brought to bear upon ones busi'
ness, IL Professionally and economically prose-
cutsd, is almost certain to secure success
and in no vocation arc they more emPhasi-
ca,ly needed, than in that oftilling the -oil.
The vulgar notion, that no special education
or preparation, for one who is to bea farm
er, is necessary, is beginning to bo seriously
questioned. II is thought now, by many
that it is quite as important that man
should DO educated TO raise vegetables, Us
to make the implements by which the soil
is titled, and the growing crops cultivated
This is sound doctrine. IL is no less true oil
farming than of commercial and manulac-
turing business or Of medicine, law, and
theology, that a special educatiOn,-onc
that is broad, deep. comprehensive, and
thorough every way, Is demanded. when
this view becomes popular, then will iarm-
ing become popular, too. Ii Is proposed
in this connection, to suggest some OF the
ways and means by which such result may
be secured.
The organization Of Farmers Clubs in
towns and villages, is among the most hope
full omens Of improvement in farming IL is
n remark as true as il is common, that those
towns that sustain good Farmers Club,
are making ths most rapid Improvement IN
the various departments of Agriculture
Every town in the Commonwealth should
organize club, and every farmer should be
considered member thereof by virtue oil his
vocation, ever ready and willing to do oil
in his power 10 sustain such organizations
There As no farmer, however limited his ex
pcrience and observation, bat what has some
fac, or facts whic., he can communicates 10
such u meeting-that will be both INTEREST,"
ing and valuable to the farmers OF the town.
and may contribute something toward the
developing and periecting tho art land science
of good husbandry. Each member oil such
q club, may both contribute to the benefit
of the several members, and, in return, re-
ceiyc information that is valuable. IhHs
will every member ieel responsible Tor the
general character Of the club, instead OF be-
ing u seli.constituted consor, ever ready TO
decry all attempts To make Improvement ~
"book-larming." and as being therefore ut
terly unworthy ofattention. Ii is partially
owing to this, that there arc 50 many who
feel shyness about engaging in such en-
terprises, us that, under consideration.
II is not expected that every town will or
ganiIe u Farmers Club the coming winter
but it is hoped that many will do SO, where
such organizations do not already exist
Do not wait one for another. Call meet
ing Immediately, inviting all interested IN
Agriculture and Horticulture to como to-
sether and organize Club which shall hold
weekly meetings for the discussion oil sub
iects connected with farming, gardening
stock-breeding, etc. Lectures may occasion'
ally be had from the Secretary Of the Board
of Agriculture, and other gentlemen, which
will serve to awaken and quicken the spirit
OF improvement, and give character and im'
portancc 10 the proceelinSs Of lown Clubs
There are IN almost every town professional
gentlemen, who would lecture once or twicC
during the season withoutany charge to th,
Society. These, some Of them, would cx
change with gentlemen Of similar character
IN other towns, thus giving variety oil en-
tcrtainuent and instruction. Who caE
measure or estimate the good results tha
may follow such an orsaniration' VIII
would not feel proud of the honor OF haSin'
been the founder of such Club? Such
farmer will entitle himself to tho claim
being beuelactor Of mind, oncof the high
est distinctions ever attained by man.
Every Farmers Club should have Ii
brary, containing the transactions OF th'
State and County Societies, both at hom'
and abroad, and such other works as wal
from time TO time be donated to it by mem
bcrs and Others. Valuable works for refer
eneo ana study may be purchased by th
contributions Of the generous members tha
are blessed with IN abundance Of world.
goods. The most valuable foreign magazine
and quarterly journals. with the variou
monthly papers ofour country, should b
taken, filed, bound, and placed IN the library
The weeklies will then be more hosraii!
patroni1ed and more carefully read, ponder
cd and digestod. IL Is not oPportani'ie
that the rural population need to bseom
intelligent and skilful in the aaairs Of thei
vocation. for Of these there is n superabun
dance. What is wanted is attention to
more diligent and persistent improvement o
them. Discussions, lectures, reading, ex
perimen;ing, observation, and conversation
all tend to advance knowledge, and elsvat
the business Of farming. making IL bot
more pleasant AMI profitable. In this way
the prejudicos against "bOok-farmins" vii
be undermined, and thus overthrow one o
the greatest obstacles to the advancement o
improved husbandry and rural economy.
Why should a man be prejadiced against
and decry "book-fArming," any mote tha