The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-11-16
FARMERS CLUBS.

FAkMEkS CLUbSs
We speak from an experience of twelve
or fifteen years when we say that club is
great institution for the farmer. 1t not
only advances his material interests, but as
means of social and intellectual culture,
is invaluable. The one great obstacle in
the way of the progress of agricultural and
especially of the development of the agri-
culturist, is the isolated life of our rural
population. Farmers have little co-opera-
ton, see but little of each other, seldom
combine in the purchase of tools, fertilizers,
and stock, and rarely in the sale of farm
products. One man, without much study
of the markets, sells his butter, grain, po-
tatoes, &C., at a low figure, and this estab-
fishes the price of these commodities for
that neighborhood. The purchaser goes
to B, and says, have bought AS apples at
such price, and B, anxious to sell, con-
tracts at the same price. Merchants are
shrewder in these matters than farmers
They may occasionally compete on some
staple goods, but generally they have an
understanding with each other as to prices.
The result of a want of similar under
standing among farmers is that the profits
of agriculture are small. The club furn-
ishes opportunity not only to talk over the
best mode of rising crops, but what is of
equal importance, the best disposition to
be made of them. There must be more
cooperation among farmers, or at the
present prices of labor and the Increased
expenses of living, the accounts will show
balance on the wrong side of the ledger.
The main design of the club is doubtless
to compare views on various agricultural
topics. The discussion fthese must elicit
suggestions of great practical Importance.
No two heads think alike, and no two men
agree in their practice. We have been
amused at the different views entertained
by different farmers on the theory OF agrl-
culture, and the different modes which they
practice to arrive at the same result. One
believes in deep blowing. another in shall
low: one advocates using green manure,
another prefers partial rotting in the conf
post heap; one would apply fertilizers
near the surface of the soil, another would
pillow them under; one cuts up his corn by
the roots, another tops it. Each thinks
his own mode the best, but if the members
are candid-all farmers ought to be-they
must learn from the experience of others.
There is no wit like that which comes
from ones own practice, but to suppose
that we are the men and wisdom will die
with us, proves that we are foolish. After
a dozen farmers have stated their expert
ence in the management of a crop, he is a
dull scholar who cannot catch some sug-
gestion for the improvement of his own
practice. A dozen heads must be wiser
than one. We have invariably noticed in
the discussions of a club, that though some
foolish notions may be advanced, still the
general conclusions arrived at are pretty
correct. Much prejudice is dissipated and
much truth elected. If a club can be kept
in full life for half dozen years we will
warrant manifest improvement in the
| farms, stock, and tools Of the members and
equally great improvement among the
farmers themselves. Emulation is excited.
The members watch each others crops,
| and all are striving to have the best barns
and the best stock. No one likes to be
| twitted in the club with such qustions as
| What was the matter with your corn
last Summer, neighbor A? 1t looked as
though it had the yellow fever" Glow
D Il Ill e.
| your horses on straw ?'
The stimulus to agricultural improve
| ment is not the only advantage of the club.
Mind is aroused, manners polished, friend
| ship cultivated and manhood is developed
| We have been surprised to notice how the
gift of public speaking is acquired in a
| farmers club. The members not only
learn to think rapidly, but to speak accur-
| ately and clearly. They are stimulated
also to observe more closely and study the
| results of their experiments. In order to
| report the results to the club they must
know the facts, must learn to manage a
| farm more as a manufacturing establish
ment is managed, must know how much a
| crop costs and for what it sells. A farm
Ell said to us recently, " l never knew b, w
much milk it required to make pour Il 81
butter till l went to the club. In J,act
had no idea of managing farm in busi
ness fashion. Everything was g'Jess- work
with me-" Few farmers can + ell whether
their pork costs them eight or eighteen
cents a pound when it is honie-made. and
do not know whether they are gainine q,
losing when they sell beef for $40 per cwt.
If they will only attend club faithfully
for one Winter they viii learn to guess
less and weigh more, possibly will drop
some crops on which thoy are losing money.
and adopt others that are more profitable.
Farmers as class are very conservative.
| They cling to their old ways-do as their
fathers did. A little more intercourse with
each other will lead them to inquire whetb.
er there is not a more excellent way. The
! same crops which enrich our fathers manv
| impoverish US. In many localities where
corn was once staple product, it cannot
| now be raised with profit, and should give
place to other products which are not so
easily transported from the prairie. Con-
servatism is very good, but the isolated
farmer is apt to be too conservative He
needs to be reused out of his chimney
corner and shaken up little by his BROTH
er farmers.
Then. again, if we wish to keep the sons
on the farm, we must give them a little
taste of society. We believe that one
great reason why so many farmers boys
desert the homestead and go into the vii
lage or city is their craving for more social
enjoyment. God made us social beings
and never intended we should live like her
mits. Take the boys to the club meetings,
especially if they are held at private hous-
es; and if the wives and daughters occa-
sionally attend and join in the discussions.
all the better. A dish of apples, or even
dish of oysters may very properly be dis
cussed after the more intellectual repast.
and thus rural life be relieved of some of
its dull monetony.
In order to make the club 90, there must
be some system, and no little persistence.
Half dozen live farmers can sustain a
club if they only think they can. The con-
stitution should be simple, the simpler the
better. Let every member feel that the
life of the club depends on his punctual
attendance, and let every one 90 prepared
to contribute his mite to the interest of
the meeting One should always be ap-
pointed to open the discussion, and the
appointee should study his subject, and
come to the club-room with some well-di-
gested thoughts and well arranged facts
1t is with club meeting AZ with all othar