Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-05
Kernels From Corn Cob.-No. l,
Jan. ID. 1860.


familiar gossiping style of letter correspond
ence, than if set to some particular subject,
[ address them to you. {.
The farmer, who is dependant upon his
oSn labor, for the support of himself and
family; finds little time during that portion
of the year, that the earth is free from frost
and snow, to attend to other duties, aside
from those Immediately connected with
his employment If he faithfully uproots
each weed as soon as it starts, performs well
the common labors of blowing, sowing, hay
ing and reaping, keeps the headlands clear
from thistles and briars, and repairs his
fences and buildings as they need Spring,
Summer and Autumn, will pass away and,
the duties of each day, will tread close upon
the heels of the succeeding one, during the
season of seed time and harvest, no class of
men are more hurried with immediate duties,
than the thrifty farmer They adopt no ten
hour rules, nor does "sun and SUM- hardly
measure the length of their days work.
But when twilight meets the sun nearly mid
way between the zenith, and the Summers
horizon, the evenings lengthen, and the days
grow short, then, with farmers, the busy sea-
son is over, and perhaps no class Of IabOrers
have more leisure time than they.
Active duties do not generally crowd
themselves into farmers winter evenings
and on the cold and stormy days with which
our winters are replete, they usually rest
from their labors The aggregate amount of
leisure time which farmers have during this
season Of the year, if devoted to the obtain
ing Of information concerning their employ
ment, and the cultivation Of those tastes, and
powers, which give influence to their possess
or, would add much to the general intelli-
gence, and intellectual culture of all belong
ing to this class. This season is now used for
this purpose to a considerable extent, and
farmers compare favorably with men Of other
employments, in regard to development of
mind and correctness of thought; but yet
there is a sad want of method, used in obtain
ing the information we possess.
Though we boast of our general intelli-
gence, yet we must admit that We are very
ignorant concerning our own employment.
AAoW lluULO VIC huUW VI OIlO dCUudL uCCuc vi
the fruits and grains which we raise.
How vague and ill-deined are our ideas,
in regard to the result Of any of our labors.
Very few of us have determined, fully, how
many pounds Of hay or meal, it requires to
make pound Of beef; how many pounds Of
pork hushel of corn gives u.s. whether it is
better TO plant large potatoes or small; or to
cut grass in the blossom or in the seed.
Rarely being called upon to give our views
upon the many questions relating to our oc-
cupation, we have rested content with indef-
mite ideas concerning it,
A farmer enjoys his occupation just in
proportion to his understanding of it, and
the great reason why five thousand years of
tilling have passed away, and yet some of
the most common questions have never been
settled, is because we have each acted indi.
pendently. There has been but little bring
ing together, and comparing achievements
and observations. Hence, but little of that
stimulus, caused by comparing our ideas with
others There is need of mutual aid, and
combined efforts. If farmers made the
thousand and one questions, pertaining to
their employment, matters of discussion, and
thought; sooR actual experience, tested by
experiments, would decide them. And prob
ably no instrumentality could be used, to ef-
feet this desirable end, that would excel the
l. Farmers CLUB. There should be one Of
these in every town. The value of Club,
alive and at work in every community of
farmers, is not understood if it was, we
should not long consent to be without one.
Very few Clubs have, as yet, been organi-
zed in this State. Their general plan and
organization | will defer until some other
time. The benefits of an active Club, may
be briefly stated as follows:
At the occasional meetings of tho Club,
all matters relating to farming would be
made subjects Of conversation and debate;
this wou Id induce men to study, and observe
with care, that they might have something to
add to the general stock. 1t would lead to
an exchange of ideas, as each man is sup
posed to know some things that his neighbor
does not.
1t would strengthen neighborly feeling, by
showing US that we were all engaged in the
same great enterprise.
1t would lead to combined effort, and soon
we should come to regard our interests as
one. We should be melted to read agricul-
tural books and papers, and should watch
with more care the result of our own abors,
&C., &c. Very many other reasons might
be aduced and developed at length, but
sufficient for now. 1t is a matter Of great
importance, however, and Farmers, will you
not consider it? Perhaps some of you have
] something to say. either nrn or nnn if so LET