Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-01-14

The Farmers Club Meeting-An In
teresting Paper bf ]. D. Lacef.


That interest IN the West Michigan Farm
eFs club is growing Is noted ia the increased
attendance at their meetings. Al the meet
ing yesterday afternoon the room was well
crowded. President Fuller opened the meet
ing By reading letter from New Orleans,
describing the progress aud success of the
Exposition. The question box was then
opened and the subject Of science applied 10
agriculture was drawn for discussion Ia
which a dozen or more members had some
thing TO say, all agreeing that knowledge OF
the same would be OF some practical adyan-
tage, and that the application Of science IN
farming should be accompanied BY expert
ence and good common sense. Mr.. Kelly, OF
Delaware, visited the club, was made vel
come, and IN reference 10 the question un-
der discussion agreed with what had already
been said that Is, that the consideration OF
the practical use of science in agriculture
must be associated with good common sense.
Mr. Graham then arose and suggested that
the farmers should take some
steps toward securing more strin-
gent dog laws, that the days should
be shot or muzzled, that they destroyed two
and a half millions worth of sheep every
year. Another member suggested that tho
dogs be spared in order that the chickens
might live. Mr.. Graham then suggested that
the tax on dogs should be increased. The
president then introduced Jas. ID. Lacey Esq,
who delivered highly interesting address
on Honduras, considering its agricultural
deyelopement and the opportunities there
for investment. he gave description OF
the geography of the country. 1t was very
mountainous country, and travel was diti-
cult, there being but few roadways developed.
Mules were used for transporting merchan-
disc through the country. The natives knew
nothing alb out cultivating land, and had no
implements or machinery with which TO do
| it. What the country most needed was imml-
grafton. Foreigners were welcome there,
and as soon "a their intentions to de-
velop and improve the country were discov-
cred the natives became friendly and were
willing to be employed. Mr.. Lacey ad-
vised people to go there III companies.
not individually. He had great faith In the
advantages of Honduras; that the presence
| of Americans there had been the cause of
attracting the merchants of that country to
| the markets of the United States. Rice,
corn, bananas, oranges, cocoa nuts and grapes
were the principal products. Vegetables had
been raised there successfully. farmer
could do well there raising fruit. Upon
the conclusion of the address Mr.. Lacey sub
mitted himself to an examination, and the
members took advantage of the opportunity
and asked him very nearly hundred ques-
tions, the replies to which all elected further
facts and information concerning the coun-
try. These answers were very interesting,
I'd covered every possible product mineral,
timber, agricultural and animal. The Club
t6ndered Mr.. Lacey an unanimous vote of
thanks for his address and visit The lecture
seemed to excite the curiosity and inquisit-
iveness of the members in a remarkable de-
gree, fact which shows the interest
taken in all affairs of agriculture both at
home and abroad, and the aspira-
ton for information on the part of
the members. To the farmer who believes
in advancing with the times, there is nc
more attractive institution in this part of the
State than the West Michigan Farmers
Club.