The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-26
Farmers Clubs.

Philadelphia Record
The Importance of organization among farm
ers for the purpose of assisting each other and
exchanging their experiences for the benefit of
one and all cannot be too strongly urged. AS
soils differ do the methods of cultivation, and
each years experience convinces the farmer that
no matter how observing he may have been i'll
the past, there is always something new pre-
scented and fresh ideas gained 1t is only when
farmers regularly meet, however, and present
their different views, that mistakes are corrected
and better methods employed
There is class of farmers who attach no inn
portance to association, usually regarding the
teachings at the meetings as theory, when in
fact, the discussions based ON facts and prac-
teal experience Such farmers annually witness
better crops on the farms of their more thought
full neigh ors than Cd their own, and wonder
why they do not obtain as good results from the
same crops; but, in order to be successful, com
PARSONS must be made of the proper times of
planting. best varieties for the section methods
of cultivation, and productiveness of all
the cereals and garden vegetables that are
grown: to say nothing of the systems of feeding
and breeding of animals saving and application
of manure and usefulness of improved imple
ments intended for farm service The mistake
of a single farmer may prevent such like recur-
renee on the part of large number and the
beneficial results from actual experiments by an
individual may assist in obtaining heavier Yields
and greater profits for all
Farmers clubs can do more than to simply
meet and discuss farm topics, though if organ
lied for nothing but discussion the benefits to
each individual would be great; but an organiza-
ton based upon the welfare of the agricultural
community in which it exists can carry expert
ments much farther than the efforts of a single
individual With but little expense to each, new
and improved agricultural implements can be
placed in service cooperative system, and
the saving in expense from the use of these would
more than repay any outlay in the way of pur-
ehases. Thoroughbred stock can be more easily
introduced into the community by united effort,
and the stock could be of the best, owing to the
unlimited means for procuring it that combina-
ton may easily furnish The introduction of a
single thoroughbred animal sometimes adds
thousands of dollars to the value of
stock, as done by Messenger the
founder of our trotting strain of horses By
organization the facilities for marketing crops
are increased the expenses of transportation
lessened, higher prices obtained from sales and
the business of the whole managed by one per-
son In selling, rather than by all. There is no
limit to the usefulness of farmers clubs, and
such clubs are beneficial in exact proportion as
the farmers make them so. No farmer should
expect the club to prove success without his in
dividual aid, nor should any farmer refrain from
imparting his experience on any subject that he
is FAMILIAR with. nor lose any opportunity of
adopting and practicing those methods that have
proved successful when tried by others. 1t has
been demonstrated by comparison that in ali
agricultural communities where farmers clubs
exist there is Il steady and continued improve
ment in the systems practiced. and moi only are
the profits greater. but knowledge and interest
in the pursuit of farming are correspondingly in
creased