The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-04-26
The .Anti-AIOnOpolist.

lite and plant food in the soil was ship
ped to New York City in the form OF
grain and hay; farms and buildings re-
ceived such care as the absolute neces-
si,ies ofthe case demanded farms were
stocked with the long-nosed breed of
hogs and scrub cattle. Now, however,
this is all changed. The farms saw
were models of neatness good and i'm.
proved breeds of stock are the rule, and
it is claimed, and ! doubt not justly,
that the farmers OF Chemung Valley are
among the most intelligent and success
iul in the state. It could not we'll be
otherwise. Every man is stimulated
into adopting the best methods, and not
only this, but his intelligence and ambi-
ton is awakened, melting him to lay
hold of any new thought or practice
which will improve his land or bring
richer returns. One great reason why
farming has fallen behind all other CALI
llngs in its prosperity, has been that
there was no cohesion among farmers,
no associative efforts to correct abuses
or work out a given triumph. The as
ISOLATION together of men engaged in q
given pursuit cannot tail to educate all
its members. The evening spent at
the club letter was read from some
party who took exceptions because, at
some time, the club had expressed an
opinion that the Cheshire hogs were not
q distinct breed. concluded he had
pigs to sell. In the discussion Of the
letter was surprised at the compile te
understanding OF the subject manifested
bv the members. They all seemed to
be perfectly posted inregard to the dit
ferent families and breeds of swine
their origin, history, merits and dement's
So of every subject which came up fol-
consideration there was an easy famili.
arity with every subject relating to farm
practice.
The stock of the Ausbandman news.
paper is nearly or all owned by the
members of the club and Bro. VIM. A
Armstrong, the worthy secretary of the
state grange, is the editor in chief The
club is indebted to him for their printed
reports since its organization, having
always been their secretary, and nls
ready pen and wide knowledge Of agri-
culture (bcing practical and successful
farmer himseIf,) have contributed ma
terially to their reputation abroad. Hi
associate editor, Bro. j. Van Duztn
aids him effectually in ,hs Management
If the paper. From what l learned
although young man, he is destined t.
make his mark as one of the most sue
cessful farmers OF this age. Indeed al
the members of the club are practica
men. Their published opinions are no
mere theories. All ale practical farmers
nearly all members OF Chemung Vale.
or .nge, and all are especially careful il
promulgate no theory which has no
been brought to the test OF actual experi
ment.
1t seems to me there is significan
lesson to be learned from this organize
ton. What is to prevent every subord
,, nate grange being just such school
!. instruction for its own members as tn
! Elmira Farmers Club? / see no reaso
why it may not. Here is the orga nizs
: ton ready at our hand all that is ne EIDE
! is to apply it practically. With tn
wonderful natural advantages possesse
bv Iowa, a soil and climate unequalet
it only needs that we break up the isol'
I ton Of the farmers life, and by assocl'
ton among the men engaged in tillin
the soil, stimulate ourselves into JUST
and higher conception of the dignity ar
:! possibility of agriculture.