Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-02-24
Westminster Farmers Club.
suBJEcT-"ARE FARMERS CLUBS PROF.
FEBRUARY Is.

( CAPT. TITcoMB-Mr. President:
shall take the affirmative Of this ques
ton, though some think it is folly Il
spend our time and efforts in meeting
here week after week, to discuss subject.
We ought so well to understand. would
like to have such come here and take
The negative Of this question, and tell
US wherein organizations of this charac.
ter are not profitable. If they refrain
from so doing, may they ever keep silent.
Now, sir, l Judge of their efficiency in
looking back a few years, when we first
met, and we talked about gardening,
agricultural seeds &C., and when we car
ried out our theories, generally proved
beneficial. The time was when we
thought eight lbs, of clover-seed and
one peck of heards-grass seed enough to
seed an acre, but from the discussions
entertained in this club it has been found
not enough. Swine kept by us then
were so small that 400 lbs. porker was
large. Since then, by comparing the
different breeds, we have introduced a
new breed, so that We are enabled with
no difficulty to make them weigh from
six to seven hundred lbs. The same ad-
vancement through the club, has been
made with cattle. The question was
back in our history, (which is the best
kinds of cattle;" / confess at that time
opposed the Jersey" cattle, which by
one of our members had been introduced
into our community; but have become
convinced they are superior to any and
all others for making butter; thus by
reading agricultural works, and here in
the club discussing those theories, d.
vulgng freely to each other the practical
results of our efforts upon the farm, in
the shop, we know we have advanced in
the better direction, aud it is attribute
BILE to the farmers club.
N. G. PIERCE take the same side
OF this question, that farmers clubs are
profitable, and that in a social point of
view, some may have another method to
improve the social powers, but / am
inclined to think that men of the same
vocation coming together to discuss ques-
lions OF common interest to them all tends
to awaken an attachment to, and a re-
gard Tor each other, making better neigh
bors, better citizens, thereby eliciting in.
formation from each other which other
wise might ever remain dormant. Some
say we can read your reports and it is
less trouble than to come here; | think
this is not fair to make usand others pro.
duce this readable information, better
come and help; / think we shall all saw
that we who have attended this CInb
have been. Stimulated each in his laudable
pursuit; L have raised better crops.
Again we are benefited by the advertise
ment we get through the State and
New England by the copying
Of our reports, andsuch men as Secretary
CLARK, as he comes here, sees our location
our Thrift, fertile farms, and the interest
we take to improve, and as he goes about
he State, necessarily speaks of us. So
With Mr.. Eddy who will take the same
view, and all who may lecture before us;
n this particular the Club is of great
service to US, attracting men here who
ire seeking new homes and that of no
Inferior class.
DEA. MCNEIL did not expect to
contribute to this discussion as I saw the
question | thought it was settled that
hey were beneficial, l have been benefit.
ed, think others have. Agricultural
'apers throw out hints from clubs and
We get information, can't help but learn.
ONE farmers will excel in one direction
md Others in another, and by coming to.
either and holdining a conference, we
Then they are profitable
ociaiiy, makes better neighbors and
riends; whereas, if away from each 9th.
+ might be slandering each other or per.
laps might be in worse place than 10
re IN the club meeting. Then think
ne lectures we are so freely enjoying are
N. FIsHER.-I think this Club has
zen beneficial to this place, to me Ger.
AIM True we had agricultural works to
cad, from which we could deduce facts
'ut not applicable to our soil, climate or
reps. lonce used to read the discussions
the New York Tribune those theories
'ere but little benefit practically, but
lnce the organization of this Club we
an apply this or that theory pertaining
our own locality; but the greatest ben.
Mt we have received, we have received
rom one another, testing theories. mark.
lg them as favorable or unfavorable. I
now l have applied them often of great
dvantage to me; still our great benefit
as mas been our own experience.