The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-02-27
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.

FARM AMI 0OUNG0OAOs
Weshall be glad Ito receire, for publication
in this department, short and pointed COM
.critten on one side Of the paper,
from farmers, gardeners, stock-raisas, house
seepers, mechanics and others, g,uing per.
'onal experience Of any topic of general in
crest to persons lining in the country. The
name and posto6fce address Of the soriter
should accompany each letter, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good
faith. 1t is oar purpose to open this column
70 free exchange Of experience and opinions
bet,csem its readers.
STUDY YOUR MARKETs.-The question
of success or failure with most farmers de-
ponds upon their knowledge Of the markets.
Many industrious and skilful farmers fail
just at this point. They know how to Gull
tivate crops, but are poor statesmen. They
keep in the beaten track, and never vary
the relative proportion OF meadow, pasture
and tillage, seldom try new crop or seek
to Improve their breeds of cattle, swine and
poultry. They do not read much, and seem
not to be aware that farming, like other pur-
suits, is in transition state, and that they
must meet new demands or fail in business,
The change is so great from the age Of
homespun, which closed some fifty years
ago, to the present time that our younger
readers can hardly appreciate it. Then, al
most everything consumed in farmers
family in the Northern States was produced
on his own farm. Nearly all table supplies
except sugar, molasses, tea and coffee. were
Of his own raising. The housewife spun
and woye not only all her table and bed
linen, but all the clothing for her house.
hold. She made the cotton and tow wicks
and dipped them in tallow, for the lights in
the dwelling. Travelling sheemakers made
the annual supply Of boots and shoes. The
trade which farmer had with the outside
world was of a very limited character
All this Is changed now. No cloth is made
in the heme. The spinning-wheel and loom
have long since gone into kindling wood,
and only the small linen wheel and distaff
ispreserved occasionally as q memento Of
the thrifty habits Of our grandmothers. The
farmer has become purchaser; buys all
that he eats; buys oftentimes his fuel and
lights. To meet these new demands, he
has occasion to study the markets, to find
out what people want in exchange for the
things he must purchase. Especially does
the eastern farmer need to study the home
markets. Tillers Of the low-priced lands in
the pew States. by aid cheap transporta-
ton, are able to compete with him in wheat,
corn and other grain, so that he cannot at.
ford to raise them to sell. by the old meth
cd at least, though possibly he can for his
own use. Hay, potatoes, and some other
articles are so bulky that he has little com.
petition, and can sell them at profit. In
perlshable articles poultry. eggs, butter,
milk, vegetables, fruiU he can compete with
the prairies. With knowledge OF the
markets, and the capacities Of the soil, it is
not very difficult matter to ascertain what
crops will pay, and what will not. Those
who do not study these conditions Of sue
cess, aud cannot tell what any given crop
costs, do not know whether it pays or not.
We want this knowledge, and must have it,
ii we are to succeed in business. We must
give up some Of the old crops as unsuited to
present circumstances, and cultivate those
TOR which we know there is profitable de-
mand. Or an enterprising man can often
create demand for first-rate article, and
thus have speciality that will return him
handsome profit and win him the reputa-
ton Of being an enterprising man. He will
at the same time set an example to other
farmers that may benefit the agriculture Of
whole neighborhood, or even Of county.
American Agriculzurist.
FARMERS CLUBS AND THEIR BENEFITS.
Some eighteen years ago farmers club
was organized in this town, called the
Green's Farms Farmers Club. This organ
ization was very useful for a number of
years, when, for some reasons, the regular
meetings were suspended few years ago.
A few weeks since the old club took on new
life, was recognized, and has now an active
membership Of over thirty members, with
. fair prospect Of increasing it to fifty or
more. That this old club has been useful
in the past, and bids fair to be useful in the
future, is the universal testimony OF the
farming community in these parts. Improv-
ed machinery, better methods of cultiva-
ton and general enlightenment are very
marked. In the fall Of 1869, the writer then
living in Wisconsin, a suggestion was
made on Thanksgiving Day to some far
mers OF the desirableness of organizing a
farmers club. The suggestion met with
faver, and an organization was soon effected.
The constitution and bylaws were borrowed
largely from the one at the East. This club
has been in active operation from the first.
although the meetings have generally been
suspended during the summer months. Most
OF the farmers within radius Of four miles
became members Of the club. The club
took early measures to increase les useful.
ness aRd influence. It put itself in commu-
nication with the Department Of Agricul-
ture at Washington and with the State So
cieties. From these it received their annual
reports. beside much encouraging support.
Some valuable acquisitions to the stock o.
field and garden seed were received from
Washington. Among the early means adopt
ed to increase the efficiency Of the club was
the formation of a library. This was made
up OF standard works on agriculture, and
increased from time to time as funds were
available. A cheese factory was early built,
and received large support from the club.
The dairy question was considered one of
prime Importance, and was frequently dis.
cussed. The question of improved breeds
Of stocks was freely discussed, and as a re-
suit, one herd Of thoroughbred short-horas
was formed, beside smaller herd OF Ayre-
shires. These herds have been Of great
value in all that region in improving the
cattle. Horses; sheep and swine have also
been improved. Not the least of the bene-
cts especially to the women of the commu-
nifty. was the outcome of the discussion on
houses. This led to the erection
of houses by many Of the larger farmers,