The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-09
Management of Farmers Clubs.

Correspondence Country Gentleman.
We have in this neighborhood two live farm
ers' clubs, one of which has been in successful
operation for some twelve years and the other
about half as long Both are organized and con-
Quoted on the same general plan-are limited to
thirteen families, and the meetings held at the
farms of the members No member is desired
or accepted but such as will promise to attend,
member is expected to take some part
in each meeting. During the months
of October to March, inclusive, we
meet at 10 o'clock A. M. and take dinner, and for
the months of April to September, inclusive. we
meet at p M. and take tea. When the first
club was organized here there was considerable
criticism because the membership was limited,
but think time has proved the wisdom of the
plan I have been familiar with quite a
number of country clubs where there was
no limit to the number OF members,
and in winter they were always obliged
to meet in some hall In town, as no farmer
could undertake tostable the horses and provide
room for them. l have rarely known one
of these organizations that had dozen mem
bers who could always be relied on TO be present
and there is greater danger OF few long
winded takers monopolizing the time in the
larger than in the smaller club. A club may be
considerably scattered without serious disad-
vantage, and the wider the territory covered by
them, the more the members can see of the crops
On their monthly trips The extremes of our club
are fully twelve miles apart But as the bulk of
many of these long drives in a year, and they are
quite equally divided among the members Itisa
poor team that will not on a good road trot six
miles an hour, and this enables US to start at
o'clock TO the morning meetings, at ~ to those
held in the afternoon. Our ladies find it much
less labor and expense to provide meal
year for the club than to pack a basket for every
meeting, as is done by most Of the larger farm
ers' clubs.
The social benefit Of the club is of itself worth
more than its costs, for the few families become
thoroughly acquainted and strong attachments
are formed.
The attendance of the young people is encour-
aged, and one or more of them is assigned for
some duty at each meeting. We prepare and
print year in advance full programme for the
year. We put three of our best members on the
programme committee, which is appointed in
September, with instructions to report to the
November meeting, which is devoted to the
election of officers for the ensuing year. and the
hearing Of the report of the committee and dis
cussing, perfecting and adopting the programme.
At the time this committee 10 appointed, the
members of the club urged to send to them
any questions for discussion they may wish en-
bodied In the programme or to make any sug
gestion they think beneficial.
Our programme contains a list of members and
officers of the club, and one page is devoted to
each meeting One essay, one selection. and
one recitation is had at each meeting, and then
regular question for discussion is given, usual
ly with several sub-topics. Some member is
assigned to open each sub-topic, and after it Is
opened anyone may add to what has been said
or take exceptions to the same ANY essay or
selection is open for discussion and the utmost
liberty is allowed in asking questions Of any
member who has the floor The last pages of
the programme contain our constitution and by
laws. Our programme is printed in book form,
sixteen pages, six by three and one-half inches
with colored cover, and cost us from So so to ST
per 100 copies Four or five copies are given to
each family, and the remainder are put in care
of the secretary, who is expected to bring extra
copies to each meeting to furnish invited guests.