Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-02-04

tion with those engaged in the same
pursuits.
But we desire to speak Of these far
mer clubs in another respect, that Of
their social advantages. In this. we have
reference mere particularly to the Prac>
tical Farmers Club. There are other or
CARNATIONS of like character in this
county, one known as the Belmont Co.
Farmers Club, whose center is here in
st. Clairsville, and We know from the
active. energetic business gentlemen
comprising this club, that it is decided
success, and that much good cannot but
! be the result of their association. But
the Practical Farmers Club, of which
we have had the honor of being MEM
| Der for two years, since its organization,
has been conducted upon somewhat diff
ferent principles from the majority of
such associations.
Of these we desire to speak This as,
sOciation is comprised of about twelve
or thirteen families who met once in a
month, at the residence of one of its
members, and enjoy the hospitality of
the farm home. Its exercises consist
of the reading of selections and essays,
and discussion of some topic, in some
way connected with the farm. All its
members, both ladies and gentlemen, are
required to take some part in the exer
ciSes.
One of the provisions of their consti-
tuition is, that the discussions shall be so
conducted, as to avoid all questions Of
politics and of theology. 1t is not pro-
posed in these meetings, to discuss and
settle the question of a protective tariff,
or of free trade. Neither is it expected
that all those comprising this club,
which consists of Methodists, Baptists,
Friends, Presbyterians and United Pres
byterans, shall be led to see alike upon
the various questions of theology.
But their purpose is to discuss all
quootIOuo NHiCH dlOp VI may w. III any
way connected with the farm, the far
mer's home or his family. One of the
leading advantages of this club is, the
benefit of the experience, and judgment,
and wise counsel, of the ladies, upon all
those subjects connected with the farm
and the farm home.
Another advantage is the influence,
the refining influence, of the presence of
ladies'. Had all the associations of our
country the benefit of this same expert
ence. it would exert an untold influence
for good. 1t is well known fact that
even the vilest ruffisn Of the age, when
brought under the influence of the pres
ence of ladies, his conduct most general
ly becomes Immediately transferred into
that of the true gentleman. In various
ways is this influence exerted. At the
organization Of our club, the gentlemen
members, some of Us at least, were a
little given towards the untidy appear
ance, for which farmers are, unhappily.
somewhat noted. An improvement in
this respect presently became visible,
which continued. until now at the expi-
ration of two years, were any Of you to
look in upon our meeting. and observe
the finely polished boots, the well kempt
hair, and the cut of the cloth generally,
you would Immediately be under the i'm
preston that this was ministerial asso-
citation. And were you to proceed Oh
your way without delaying to listen to
some Of our speeches, you would no
doubt continue under this same impress
sion.
Now, we do not desire to stand before
this audience as an advocate Of finer
dress. Everybody knows this is already
carried to extremes. But some one has
said, There is fitness in things" And
while it is necessary for the farmers,
when engaged in the rough work on the
farm, to have his apparel to correspond
to the work in which he is engaged, yet
at this age and advanced stage of society.
it is not necessary that he should appear
at church or in the public hall, wearing
these same great rough boots, with the
bushy, unkempt hair, interspersed with |
the hay seed diamonds, or dressed in the |
home-spun cloth of the earlier days.
While we would not envy the position |
of appearing as convert to the teaching |
of one Oscar Wilde, yet we do believe
that among farmers as a class, little
more of the aesthetic" would not be
amiss.
Then again, farmers need to cultivate
more of the social spirit. 1t is frequent
Iy remarked by those of older genera
tions, those who were early settlers in |
our country, that there is marked de-
cline in the social enjoyment among the
citizens. It has become proverbial in all |
countries, that the older the country the
less social enjoyment. Now, there are
reasons for this, especially ameng far
mers. In the early settlement of a
country, there is dependence upon each
other, which does not exist in older set
Elements. The limited means prevents
the possession of everything necessary
to the accomplishment Of the labor -
there is q necessity fer the borrowing
and lending. and for the assistance of
each ether. in order to accomplish the
work. And as a result of this, the nat
urally good social feeling. the oft repeat
ed call, and the social hours around the
great log fire Of "Ye oldea time" As
the country grows elder, the farmers
grow mere healthy and independent,
they procure everything necessary to
perform the labor within themselves. A