Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-10-16
Union Township Farmers, Club.

The practical farmers club of Union
township met at the home of MIR. John
Shepherd, jr., on Saturday. 4th inst, at
10 o'clock.
There was almost full attendance OF
the members, also number of invited
guests. The meeting wascalled to order
at 1880 O'Clock by the president, Mr..
John Shepherd, ST. After roll call, and
the reading and approval of the minutes
of the previous meeting, an appropriate
selection was read by Mrs. Ramage
Hogue, entitled Mothers and Houses
keepers"
Mrs. John Sidebottom. essayist for the
occasion, was not present.
The topic for the day was, "The Inci+
dental Advantages and Profits of the
Farm" Sub-topics: Ist. Profits of gar
den and orchard; I'd. Profits of the poul-
try yard; 30. Profits of the apiary; 4th.
The farm as home for the children
5th. Industrious habits fostered on the
farm; 9th. Advantages of the isolation
of farm life.
The discussion was opened by ]. A .
Atkinson. Thought the incidental prof
its on the farm varied on account of the
location; thought the profits Of this kind,
as rule, were not very extensive; did
not approve of too many kinds of bust
ness; considered hogs and poultry prof.
liable, and almost necessity on the
farm; had not mach experience in the
aplary. Drew a pleasant picture of home
upon the farm; thought the farm had
the preteraHee on account OF the many
advantages of farm life, such AS its in
fiuence upon the health. also from being
oat of temptation, that of Industrious
and economical habits, &c.
n. b. Nichols considered the garden
and orchard profitable. One of the prof
its of the orchard was in that of raising
hogs; discouraged the habit of making
the waste apples into cider, and allowing
it to stand in the cellar as temptat tion
to boys; thought it had tendency to
give them a taste for stronger drink; he
thought one of the profits to be received
from poultry, was that of keeping the
grasshOppers away alse, one of the
profits of the grasshopper was received
in the abundance of eggs by the poultry
Did not have much experience with the
apia y. Spoke of the advantages of farm
life, as compared with the bad influence
of the city. especially on young men,
Another advantage of the country was
that of retiring early to bed, and also, of
the habit OF early rising.
X. G. Hogue thought the value of the
orchard and garden to family was not
to be estimated simply in money; spoke
extensively of the orchard and apiary,
in both of which he has had considerable
experience; advises those engaged ia
fruit growing to be more particular in
using some means to destroy the cOd>
ding moth, which is so destructive to
fruit IN this region; recommends the
keeping of hogs in the orchard for this
purpose; also, that by the use of Paris
green, when the apples were small. good
results have followed. In reply to the
inquiry. Was there any benefit to be
received from picking apples in the dark
of the moon Z" said that matter had been
investigated to satisfaction. that there
was nothing in it. With regard to the
apiary. it needed considerable attention:
one of The greatest difficulties WAS that
OF being so pershable in winter; advo>
cated the movable comb hive; spoke of
the advantages of farm life.
Calvin Pollock thought the time had
arrived in this country. with its vast
and rapidly increasing population, that
the production of almost anything upon
the farm can be made profitable, if prop
erly engaged in; he thought no fai mer
should deprive himself or family, of the
products of the orchard. the garden, the
poultry yard or the spiary. when they
can all be produced, at least in sufficient
quantity to supply the family, with COM
paratively little labor or expsnse-the
difficulty, however. with the majority of
farmers, in engaging in these things for
profit, was the want of time; thought
the idea had become too prevalent that
farm life was kind of drudgery, and as
"a consequence. farmers sons had desire
to leave the farm; believed there never
was a greater delusion; drew a contrast
between country and city life, In which
the country had almost every advantage
and the city but few; thought good
proportion of the notable men aud wo-