Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-11-17
Chester Farmers Club.

eve, November 18th. n large number
of citizens were present, representing not
only the farming portion of the com.
munity, but also the professional and the
mechanical branches of society. The
exercises were highly interesting and in.
structive to all present. The question
for discussion read as follows: Resolu-
ed, "That well organized farmers club
promotes the best interests of society"
Mr., l.. M. CARPENTER spoke briefly.
Thinks well regulated farmers club
adds to the welfare of every community.
Thought the farmers of Chester had been
greatly benefited by The meetings held
the past winter. The speaker said while
the subject of fruit was being discussed
at one of the meetings last year, his
friend Whittemore advised him to have
nothing to do with Rochester fruit trees !;
wanted his friend to watch those trees
and see the result, should not have taken
the interest in this subject that he now
does if it had not been discussed by the
farmers at their club meetings. The
speaker said we soon shall be off the
stage of action and our farms must fall
into the care of the young men, and we
ought to conduct these meetings so as to
interest the younger portion of the farm
ing community, that they may become
interested in these meetings, aud be in
structed and benefited by the same, and
when the meetings of the club were dis
continued for a short time, then these
young farmers could try experiments
which had been suggested, and the mer-
its of which had been discussed.
}. j. MINER speaking in the negative
asked, "Did not farmers club well or
ganIzed have any effect upon society ?"
Might possibly affect individuals, the
club may take in very strong prejudices,
some have disapproved the general tenor
of discussions, in some instances had ere.
ated disdord, would have the club com
posed only of farmers, would not allow
the professions, or business portion of So
ciety to be represented ia the club. Liked
the plan OF meeting at the farmers hous-
es to hold meetings, felt less restraint
there than in public place, would talk
more freely.
Hon. VIM. ROUNDS had no written es-
say TO read or set speech to deliver, and
with no idea of telling the farmers of
Chester how TO cultivate the soil, but was
there because he promised to be there
and to second this movement, and to en-
dorse this organization, had no time to
gather statistics or dates, ne believed that
the oft repeated saying in regard to the
subject of agriculture, that it was ordain-
ed of Heaven, was literally true, when
God placed Adam and Eve in the Gar
den of Eden, he commanded Adam to
dress and keep it. Agriculture is the
foundation work, the fundamental prin-
ciple of every we'll organized community,
civilization and high state of agricul.
ture go hand in hand. The speaker in
sisted that there was no branch of indus
try that bad 81 y,,nob - ~ ..I ~
terest of society as agriculture. The
farmers should converse freely with each
other at these meetings, the best time,
the best method Of tilling the soil, and
refer to the 10l things that in any way
bears upon this subject. The speaker L
vocated the idea Of having the ladies
take part in these meetings. Get the
farmers wives and daughters interested,
let them prepare and read in these gath
erings, essays on bread making and the
forty and things that pertain to house
keeping. La these meetings all political
and religious subjects should be laid
aside and farmers compare views relating
to the subject nearest their heart, that of
agriculture. The speaker said he could
remember years ago when the only pillow
on the farm upon which he was raised
was an old wooden one, which would have
done credit to the antedluvians. The
speaker said that it was twenty years af-
ter Its settlement, before plows were in
troduced into the colony of Massachu-
sets. Slow strides were made in the sci
ence of agriculture for the first 100 years.
thereafter. The speaker desired them to
go back in Imagination to the cultivation
of the soil during the old podaugur"
times when one was reminded by the inn
plements of industry then used, of the
days OF barbarism. These agricultural
implements were now laid aside by this
generation as relics Of ye olden time
La referring to agricultural societies the
speaker said that as late as 1915 not a
single agricultural society existed in this
country; the first one was formed in the
District of Columbia. The Major relat
ed his experience among the farming
community of Chambersburg, Pa. com.
posed mostly of Dutchmen, said that in
that city of $4,000 inhabitants. when he