Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-01
General 9grituIture.
EAST ST. JoHNsBuRY FARMERS
CLUB.

First, will say that human nature is alike
the world over; that is, all men have the
same faculties though in different degrees Of
intensity. Then it follows that if other
classes of the business world can combine
proftably, farmers can do the same. Veal
know that other classes do combine aud that
with great success. Man standing alone is
feeble, and human nature is dependent and
if man depends on his own resources, he is
very weak. BY combining strength and
interest, each contributing to a general
cause his peculiar power aud ability, we, get
strength vastly greater than any single per-
son can possess9' When farmer wishes. to.
raise barn he sees the need Of combination,
and calls in his neighbors, there being de-
mand for more strength at particular point
of time than he can bring to bear iudiVid-
ually. If this principle applies on a small
scae, and in relation to physical forces, it
will in larger sense in regard to CONNER.
cial aud political transactions.
S. Huse This subject has a very wide
range. The simple fact that combination in
creases strength is very evident. This is il
lustrated in familiar manner by the way
ropes are made, the small strands being cas-
lily broken, taken separately, when combined
and twisted together, they are, collectively,
exceedingly strong The direction that l
shall take is IN regard to the kind Of ele.
ments that are brought together, for upon
this principle does the result largely depend.
We must combine elements similar in kind,
and that have uniform tendency aud aim,
aud in this way success will follow, whether
We be farmers or any other class. There is
no better farming community than that with
in circle Of three miles from East st.
JOhnsbury village. know Of no better av-
erage Of wealth among farmers than within
this range and had almost made similar
assertion in regard to morals and religion.
Certainly there are vast and powerful .ele-
ments that have not yet been drawn out.
Now if we could have these intellectual fore
es and traits more united and brought to
bear upon some worthy and desirable object
or purpose, how great would be the result !!
But | am not in favor of secret organiza-
tions. If we were to combine, l would have
it done openly, everything freely discussed,
and known, for in this way we should not
get far from the truth. Many of US have
already combined in purchasing our princi
pal articles required upon our farms, and in
our families, such as salt, grass seed, corn
butter tubs, etc., and we are saving by so
doing. Let us keep extending the same
principle and see if combination is not prac-
ticable with us farmers
Il l.. Hovey There is no subject upon
which could not speak better, at the pres
ent time, than upon this. The reason is,
have heard SO much, If late, upon this very
thing, that my mind is perplexed and con-
fused. So shall not have much to say, al
though you might think ought to disprove
some Of Mr.. Huse's statements in regard to
secret societies, but will only say that this
gentleman probably has secrets in his fam
ily--if not he ought to-and suppose he was
dealing in corn, aud had a number of car
loads Just coming in, do you think he would
inform the community that there we're one
hundred more carloads just behind, beleng-
ing to another man, that would overstock the
markets, if such was the cass2 Oh, think
not, although he is one Of our most honest
men. The principle of strength resulting
from union has been we'll illustrated here to
night. | will illustrate it in another form
|
stalk of corn planted alone in an open field
will not develop at all, but place it with 9th
ers at proper distances and it is then where
nature designed it should be, and it will
flourish. There is nothing more feeble than
the human species in its incipient existence,
no animal born that needs more protection,
but when grown aud developed by contact
with society how powerful it becomes But
if man is brought up without society his
intellectual pswer lies dormant, aud he is a
poor, scky specimen, like the isolated
corn.
R. Cobleigh The main question is wheth-
er it is expedient for farmers to combine il
it is, there is way in which it can be done
Suppose the farmers of this vicinity pledge
themselves that they will not pay over TWEEN.
ty dollars u month for farm aborers. What
would be the result? They would 60 into
the next town aud get their price. So we
see combination must be general TO be effec'
tive. On the same principle farmers here
cannot get the producing cost of beef, be-
cause the West can and will send beef "a
market cheaper.
A. X. Hovey am in favor of combina
tion, aud have been for years. Two years
ago combined with my neighbors in buy
ing coru, and saved ten OF fifteen dollars pei
hundred bushels. Three years VIC have
bought our grass.seed together, and we go
our salt for seventy cents that our merchants
here sold at ninety cents We can do the
same in regard to other purchases, such al
dry goods and groceries. Some Of oul
friends here might save a little on their to
bacco, but that does not concern me, and
think that people who use it ought to pay
high prices.
|. Smith | will begin on oranges for
should probably run upon that subject beior'
closing what | have to say, The reason tina
those previous farmers organizations failed
is because they had no secret in them. d.
not know of any secret society that ever wen
down yet unless it was the Know NothingS
Look at the Free Masons, they are probably
the greatest power in the world. From tina
you can trace it right down to the mechanic
and merchants aud even the middlemel
have their combinations. They know hoV
things stand, and how to buy, and will FL
things SO as to make large profits. do no
wish to throw in my mite to make M
neighber grow rich at my expense. We hav
all done that, aud have done il long enough
But do not believe little farmers clu
can do much to remedy these evils; we wan
a sweeping combination, extending over th
country like the Patrons, to do this.
Il. B. Gates Organization is one of ou
birthrights. The farming community is tn
strength of the country, and when Mr.. Hus
spoke of the latent power in unorganized, is
olated individuals, could no. help thinking
what result union of these forces mus
produce. For an instance Of what corpora
tions do, look at the ralroads-and they ar
getting to be too independent. 1t is not up
on small articles that farmers are going I
save money, but things they require il
I large quantities such as corn, salt and ma