Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-07-10
The objects and Advantages of Agri-
cultural Clubs.

We publish by request the following adj
dress, delivered before the Farmers Club
of the 9Th District, at Harris's Lot, by Mr..
w. Nick. Burroughs, young and success
full farmer of the neighborhood
Ahr. President and Gentlemen:
1t is surprising that men should ask the mean
ing of an Agricultural Club. One part of the
community can and ought to be excused, owing
to their limited opportunities of investigation;
but how men of rich intellectual attainments,
whose positions in life give unmistakable evil
dence of having enjoyed large share of men
tai culture can question its objects and benefits,
| am at a loss to know.
In union there is strength. Individual en-
terprse alone never has accomplished any great
results in agricultural or manufacturing indus
try. Throughout the world S history tits clear
| ly demonstrated that combination OF great
and learned minds is necessary to the develope-
ment and ultimate perfection of human genius
and invention. The great iron, bowling horse
that is to-day tracking, with lightning speed,
the grand railways of the civilized world, is but
the perfection of combination and science-of
combination, because there is the harmonious
working of the philosopher, the inventor and
j the mechanic.
| know of no branch of industry that is not
better protected by union of the parties repre-
senting their business. The unlearned can pro-
fit from the experience of the wise. What is
lost sight of on the part Of one, is carefully
guarded and used effectually upon the part OF
another. The wise often profit from the mis-
fortunes of fools, but fools, from the precepts of
wisdom, rarely. In all agricultural associa-
lions it is presupposed that the farmers inter-
est will be carefully guarded and protected
Can it be protected when this farmer is strain
ing a point, on the one hand, looking to the
accomplishment of certain ends, while his near-
est and brother farmer is ignorantly, and, in
many cases, wilfully defeating the ends to be
attained? | claim, then, for one of the objects
of this Agricultural Club, the mutual protection
of the farmers interest of this district. Here,
in our common counsel, we can both appreciate
and understand the actuating motives of our
best and most useful farmers. Surely this is of
no little consideration.
We have pledged ourselves to aid each other
in every honorable way, by our counsel and ex-
perience, by our individual and combined en-
ergy and experimental industry. This, truly,
is something not to be overlooked or undervalu-
ed. If the experience and practical observation
of the best agriculturist in this district cannot
be obtained through the means of this associa-
ton, know of no medium by which it can be
conveyed to the minds of the community. But
surely it is perfectly feasible that it can be COM
municated through this club, thereby rebound
ing to the good of all.
Our impoverished fields call loudly to our
best energies for help and renovation. Our de-
pleted pocket-books have filled us with misgiv-
ings and apprehensons, thereby necessitating
solicitude for the comfortable support of the
loved ones at home. For the last eight years
we have gradually drSked, partially for the
want of cooperation, from comparative plenty
to scarcely competency at home and tight
and hard times are the topics Of the day. This
degeneracy, from the opulent mansion to the
poor mans cottage, speaks but feebly for indi-
vidual merit and prosperity. Our condition,
to-day, is but sad one, with the bright side
Of the picture always to the view. We have
run the race alone but have not won the goal.
The desired objects are yet unattained and still
farther from our control. All this has been
DONE and more, wit bout corporation. Then,
surely, if the FarmAs Club is not of signal ad-
vantage TO the c0Rity It will, at leagt; 1Gaal
i The manufacturing interest, the legal and
medical professions and all the branches of me-
chanical industry are SO nicely protected, by
combination and concert of action, that they
are strongly represented in our legislative halls
The strength of the law itself is frequently
threatened by their 1hOnopolies and selfish coun-
sci. Sogreat is their strength and combined
wisdom that they control the world in a nut
SHE'LL and live upon the fat of the land. Now,
my brother farmers, where is our strength p
i Where the fruits of our wisdom in the last half
century? To what end has our toll been di-
rected? Of what avail is our capital when
misguided and withered by the i'll abuses ig-
norance and Incidence? What bright ends can
we hope for in the future, when every house
hold is indirectly governed by turbulent and
vindictive principle? Where is our security
without the combined wisdom of the communi-
ty? To obviate these troubles is the design
and object of this association. The reconcilia-
ton of labor to the just demands of capital and
the harmonious working of the strong with the
useful, are subjects of big import to you and
the community. Labor should be encouraged
by a generous and liberal policy, while capital
must be protected. The science of agriculture
must be brought to bear on our field operations.
Agricultural implements of the most approved
order should be used freely. Labor saving ma
chimes of the best kind can and ought to be
used wherever practicable, and your best judg-
ment and energy are but just tributes to your
business. When these ends can be attained and
our homes better supplied with plenty and ease
the utility of Agricultural Clubs will no longer
be questioned, and their early infancy will not
be crushed by an outside pressure.
] Man naturally pines for free exchange of
sentiment and thought. His national social or
agricultural ideas grow richer when enlarged
by thesuggestions ofothers. Emulation awakes
from his slumbers. A noble pride infames the
soul. Energy and industry find companionship
in the hitherto unenterprizing spirit. There is
a new life infused in. every household when the
conviction of past errors is conclusive. Where
else will you find so healthy stimulant for our
neglected husbandry, as can be found in agri-
cultural counsel and experience? tits the only
remedy for the malady that | can conceive Of
and should it fail here to effect these ends, then
our condition is truly lamentable and sad
| But we should hope for the best, and use brain
and energy sufficient to make success inevitable.
Enterprise and capital will never immigrate to
us so long as this lethargy of unmanly inditfer-
ence is a common companion of all. But on
the contrary, should our meetings be prosper
Gus, and our county be able to compare favor
ably with other agricultural districts of the
State, both capital, and labor, enterprise and
industry, education and mechanical art will be
directed among US. This, alone, is big OBJ
ject to be considered and certainly deserves the
attention of the community.
But some may ask if there is not something
more tangible for the present, that we may Vi
talize to our present necessities while the har-
vest is following in the field. | claim, my
young farmer that it is big advantage to you
to enjoy the practical experience of that old
gentleman, who, perhaps bought his position
in life by fifty years of unremitting toll. If he
gives you the benefit of his observations and
the mode and manner of cultivating the respec-
tive crops, that have proved most beneficial to
himself after long and useful life of expert
mental industry, it is your fault If you are not
proftted and largely benefited. 1t only re-
| for Is fJnF1