The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-12-08
FARMERS cLUB-cRITTcISNS.


In a communication to the TELE-
GRAPH last week I gave statement Of
the objects and methods of the Bristol
and Paris Farmers Club. In this COM
munication I will notice some criti-
cisms which have been made on it and
its methods.
1t has been said that the institution
would be short-liyed on account of the
expense attending it. The expense re-
fers to the cost of the entertainment.
An investigation Of the expenses past
will prove there is nothing alarming or
burdensome in the cost. We eat no
oftener with the Farmers Club than
without. 1t is possible there may be
more eaten, for the ladies delight in
using their best skill in making tempt
ing Yiands, and the pleasant social in
tercourse gives zest to the appetite.
The arrangement is mutual; each
member is entertained eleven times
during the year, and once during the
year entertains eleven other members.
So the expensive item resolves itself
into the question, "Can we afford to
enjoy once each month right good
meal with good company of pleasant
neighbOrs and friends?" 1t is not nee
essary to repeat again all the worthy
objects had in view in meeting together
once each month, and the real good ac-
complished, which can be secured in no
other way. am simply discussing the
institution from the standpoint of the
expense attending it. If, after all the
years of toll and care accomplished by
afford the trifiing expense which
brings so much pure pleasure, it does
not speak we'll of the occupation they
follow, and which they expect to hand
down to their children.
There is a hard, pinched economy,
born of necessity and hard circum-
stances, which stands appalled, at the
expense of providing a generous and
tempting repast for twenty or thirty Of
their neighbors. The cost seems so
large they cannot look beyond it to the
many such happy occasions they might
enjoy at the hospitable homes of their
neighbOrs; nor to the quickened
thought, the inspiration to improve
ment, and the garnering of valuable
experience which springs from these
gatherings. 1t would make no differ
ence how many broad acres they pos
sessed, or how generously the sunshine
and the rain fell on them, the expense
of the Farmers Club would be ter
ror to them. These will pass away in
their generation, and, perhaps, those
who follow them, sOftened by high
er and more generous civilization, will
do their full share in the work of i'm
provement.
There has been q not ungenerOuS
criticism in regard to the method of
entertainment by the Club, which it
may not be amiss to discuss. Some
have found fault with the elaborate
ness of the preparations, and the large
ly varied bill OF fare provided by some
of the members. The work necessi-
tated by ii is really burdensome in
some families, where there is but little
help in the house. 1t is argued on one
side that where one member makes
such elaborate preparations a virtual
necessity is placed on the others to do
the same. And on the other side it is
argued that if a lady chooses she has
right to get up an elaborate meal; or if
it suits her as well to provide plain,
meal, she has the right to
do chat. I think a rule limiting the
vanietg of the bill of fare for entertain
ment would be popular; while the
adoption OF such a rule would detract
nothing fr0pa the true source Of enjoy
ment found ip .ts5e 'Club.ff r. F. r.