The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1886-07-07
OUR FARMERS CLUBS
What our Farmers are Doing and How
the Work of Organizing is Progressing.

What our Farmers are Doing and How
the Work of Organizing is Progressing.
A RICHMOND COUNTY CLUB-WHAT 1T
IS DOING AND SOME OF THE PRAC-
TICAL RESULTS.
The farmers in the neighborhood
of Bostick's Mills, Richmond county.
are progressive, and appreciate the
benefits arising from organization.
The following extract from letter
of Mr.. Joseph l.. Galloway, Secre
tary of the Mountain Creek Farm
ers' Club, shows some of the prac-
tical work of that club, and how it's
members are being benefited by it.
Giving us sketch of the club, after
speaking of the big time they are
going to have at their annual dinner
on the 10Th of August, he says:
The Mountain Greek Farmers
Club was organized this year with
six members, and numbers now
little over so. Attempts had been
previously made to start club but
/ they failed, but the organizers We're
determined to go on, if only with
few. The meetings were at first held
fortnightly, but when busy times
came, monthly. The time is spent
discussing farm subjects, answering
questions, &c. The purpose is to en-
courage farmers to make their own
meat, corn, wheat, and any other
supplies which can be made at home,
and also to make plenty of oats and
grass for working and other stock.
Our arrangements about supplies
brought us difficulty. We all felt
it was impossible for farmers to buy
on time at prices varying from 40 to
20 per cent over the wholesale cash
price and pay in cotton at 8 to 81
cents per h., and not be vastly worse
off at the end of the year than at
the beginning. This club, therefore,
appointed James A. Ingram it's agent,
through whom everything is bought.
Every member buying must secure
the agent, either by paying cash, or
by mortgage on land. The cash is
then borrowed and the goods bought
in bulk at the lowest wholesale cash
price, and distributed here, every
member buying paying exact cost
price, with interest, and any neces-
sary expense. We have a finance
committee, who examine every secu-
rity, and decide whether the secu-
rity offered is good and sufficient.
This is the scheme at present, and
We are sure that every one buying
through the club will save at least 40
per cent. on his years supplies. The
members are specially encouraged
to use every economy and spend no
more than is absolutely necessary,
and also to put away the amount
they save by buying through the
club and pay that amount, at least, in
cash towards the next years sup
plies"
"The premiums on crops, though
not in thorough working this year,
are for the best acre in corn and cot
ton; the best yield of corn and cot
ton to the horse, and for the farm,
outbuildings, tools, &C., in best con-
dition. For the last, three commit
tees have been appointed, the mem
bers being divided amongst them.
They will 60 round to each farm,
examine carefully and report, and
another committee will visit the
three best, and report which farm is
In best condition. The whole report
will be made as part of the proceed
mgs at the Farmers Dinner. We
nope next year to offer premiums on
the best acre in corn, cotton, wheat,
oats, sweet potatoes, the best pig,
milk COW, farm in best order, &c,
Gest crop to the horse. There is no
doubt that during the short time the
club has been at work, it has caused
all its members to be more thrifty,
mas made them take a greater inter-
est In improving and making better
crops, and will reduce the number OF
acres to the horse. We hope in the
luture to do better than in the
past"
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