Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-03-03
FARM ER'S CLUBS.

We notice one advantage, to say the
least, that has resulted from the agricul-
tural meetings held in this vicinity by
Col. Mead and others: the oranges and
other farmers societies are stimulated to
a new life and energy, and new clubs
are being organized where none have
heretofore existed. This shows that a
new interest has been awakened, and
promises good results. For the same
unaccountable reason, that all import.
ant things are neglected, farmers neg
lect opportunities and benefits that
would result to themselves, if they chose
to maintain in every town a thrifty club
where they could meet from time to time
for pleasure, information and social ad-
vantages. The time is soon to 60 by
when the ignorant or self-conceited
farmer is to cry down scientific" farm
ing, and the notion that farmers can
learn something and make some improve
ments in their important branch of bus
mess. True, there is a great deal of
nonsense and impracticable twaddle,
written and spoken on agricultural top
les, but probably no more than on every
important subject. But to say that the
experience of tho most successful scien-
ti6c farmers is worthless, and that
the knowledge of hundred men is
not better than that of one man, is
folly. This is an age when attention is
being turned toward the science of ag-
riculture as we'll as to practical results,
and no farmer can agord to close his
eyes to the light of science and other
mems experience, then he can afford to
dispense with the rays of the sun.
Farmers clubs afford the most pleas
ant, cheap and practical way of obtain
ing the knowledge that is needed in a
rural occupation. The frequent meeting
together to compare notes, to discuss
agricultural topics, to exhibit products
and consult scientific works, is of great
advantage to every person engaged in
agriculture. The benefit to be derived
from these meetings is not merely what
comes to the mind by the ears and the
eyes, but the man is put to thinking,
and by process of evolution, there are
thoughts and ideas born of him that are
surprise to himself and to others.
There is a great deal in an average era
MUM if it can be got at, and there is no
better way to awaken the dormant abil-
tiles of man, than to dispute his opin-
ions, laugh at his follies, or tread on
the corns of his prejudices. Where
there are free discussions, all these
things are liable to be done, and if there
is any stuff in man it will develop it.
self.
A club may be made very useful in
other ways, than the one mentioned. 1t
affords each member an opportunity to
overcome his difidence, and his original
clumsinesS in speaking, so that he can
plainly, logically, and if need be, felici-
tously express his ideas in public.
This is no mean accomplishment, and
every man ought to SO train himself
that he can say we'll, what he needs to
say at all. The more simple rules of
parliamentary practice can be acquired,
in an ordinary club room, and every
man who belongs to club ought to be
able to preside over ordinary meetings
with grace and credit to himself.
Most farmers clubs admit women,
and they can here find the same advan-
tages that are afforded to men. Often
times they contribute largely to the
success of club meetings. We have not
mentioned the social advantages that
result from we'll managed club; but
these suggest themselves to all. We
hope that clubs will be formed in all To-
calities where they can be formed, and
that every community will avail itself
of the advantage that may result there
from.