The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-09-27
Earnars, Gibbs.

Farmers Clubs.
Some friends IN the country nave oeon
pleased to express themselves warmly upon
the subject OF an editorial which appeared
in the Dispatch few days since comment
ing farmers clubs. We are gratified that II
attracted the attention Of farmers, Tor we
think that such societies will do great deal
to improve farming and sdFancethe interests
OF the farming community.
We have spoken that which we kne" as
20 the benefits that grow out of the meetlrss
OF farmers and their discussion OF pracllca'
questions in the clubs. They inspire gen.
erous rivalry amongst member', and eXcile
tho desire in each to make credltaDie
show of good ti!age, and neatnesS' ano
order when bis neshbors come TO sec hln'
IF farmer will devote his mind 10 brel re-
Election upon the amount OF loss sustained
upon the farm by neglecs and careless man
agemept he will be anaZed. The damage
done By losing tbirgs or psrts OF maco'hery'
8 nd BY rustipg and by wear and tear, IRON
bad usage or neglect, is wonderful. large
part of the proceeds of Industry is absorbed
by this source of injury and loss 10 the
farmer. In endeayoring to put the best foot
foremost, to be prepared for the criticism OF
knowing practical gentlemen, this very de-
partment is highly important. NO farmer
should allow his brethren to catch MS
farm with the machinery scattered about
and out of order. All things should be in
place, and cleaned and oiled when not III
use. The gear should be in order, and that
not employed should be hung up properly
We mention these points because we are not
sure that they have attracted the attention
they merit in Virginia. There is Ms}or
DREwRy, Of MISSIONER, who has the
right idea on this point. When his
moving and reaping machines are oone
with, be has q platform levelled Win tue
spirit.level, and made stout and SMOOTH, ana
upon that he places his machinery, having
cleaned and oiled the same, so that when the
season for its use comes around It Is IN coRf
petc order. and may be taken from the sheE
ter to work without detention. man who
paws such attention 10 this part OF his farua-
ing indictments we cannot suppose would
neglect anything else.
The clubs should look to these matters
The good they would 90 in this way cannot
be oyer.yalued. The ameuutos aoSs in Vir'
sinia farming from an indifference to small
things, and to saving, even in pits and bolts,
has been very large. In times past it was net
bna bic RAJ n INN 4
ance, and as time goes it will be more and
more SO.
So, when The clubs go to hook e. a farm
they must, to do the most good, loaS not
only at the tilIage and the crops, bnt ut the
general economy of The farm. Money ia Ade
is good, but money safely secured 5s!better.
To save at the spiggot and lese at the 'bung
Is not good husbandry. The whole economy
of farming should be ,inelnded in the pro.
~inee of the scrutiny of the clubs.
If there is any possibility of adding to ithe
pleasures of the social meeting of the nam-
bers OF sn agricultural, C lub-to the really
excellent dinner and the good cooking of "a
Virginia farm-it mast be the neat bus-
i
omy of the farm Is the epitome of the eoen.
omy Of States and Empires. We may
well say that complete farmer-tbe
man who can get most out Of the lsDd
while protecting 1t from exhaustion, while
increasing its genial nature and its readiness
to reward the labor of the tiller,of the SOIL
is man who can best administer the affairs
OF the body polite. To such a man We
would sooner trust the public good fortune
than TO man selected from any other Of the
callings or classes Of ,,nep.
And now We desire to present another
point of interest to the farming community.
1t should be known to them that In the
table OF the statis.ieians showing tue Eelstive
longevity Of the different pursuits aad dassts
of men the farmers occupy rather Low de-
gree. This is not right; for we believe the
farmer follows the beallhiest as well as
the noblest calling on earth. "Why is
this thus?" Is it not for the want Of socia.
bili!y: We suspect that it is. The farmer
bent upon his occupation works hard, goesl
TO bed early, rises early. has few hours OF re. 4
creation, takes cold fron exposure, dies sud. R
denly from pneumonia, or fingers from some.
thing worse-fades away, and bis eyes close
upon the lovely scene Of bis labors, aud he is
put away forever In his mother earth.
Well, let the farmer change things little.
Let him periodically meet bis brothers. dis.
euss matters relating to his occupation, 10.
crease bis Information, increase bis mental
activity, and, lubrcatng his muscle with the
heavenly oil Of mental philosophy and &C.
nal intercourse, protect himself against the
dangers OF too earnest pursuit of the ,
aek.o'aAntein of positive economy.
II we could ind an agricultural conmu. {
,ity that would isroate their .'shard sense,~ I
y il is c,led, WITH lhe mental refec ions and
ocial inspirations that sociaoility with !,
'ass' W .4sa!t.s~A: ksl..>.-sn is sue % TO-, |