The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-06-19
The Maple River Farmers Club.

the residence of Robert Purdy, April 30th.
Owing to sickness your correspondent was
unable to be present, hence the reason for
no report of the meeting that month. All
who were present unite in saying that they
were very hosptable entertained and spent
a very enjoyable afternoon. The subjects
under consideration: "My Remedies for
Physical Ailments" and "The Roadside"
were ably presented and thoroughly dis
cussed and taking it altogether, we under
stand it was very interesting and success
full meeting, and our only regret is that we
were unable to be participant.
The May meeting of the club was held at
the home of Mr. and Mrs. w. Clark, on the
30th, and called to order at 2:3O, with Presi-
dent Reynolds in the chair. After the usual
opening opening exercises the ladies' topic,
Worry vs. Work." was called up. The
subject was presented by Mrs. +. Martin in
a well written essay which showed careful
thought and study in its preparation. Mrs.
Martin was followed by Mrs. o. Trumble,
with paper of equal merit. Mrs. Martin
thought it the better way to do our
work cheerfully and willingly and with
pleasant thoughts occupying our mind, and
not allow ourselves to fret about results.
Mrs. Trumble thought little worry or
anxiety (and to her mind the two terms are
synOnymOus) good thing. For, said she.
''what is apersOn good for who never worrys
about anything. If they never experience
a feeling of worry or anxiety, they have no
incentive to act or do"
Mr.. +. Z. Sheldon spoke very earnestly
against the inclination to fret and scold and
thought the habit should be discarded. 1t
was thought that too much worry was in
furious, both mentally and physically. but a
little anxious worrying was sometimes, ,bene-
fetal.
Next on the program was select reading
by Mrs. G. Waugh, entitled Light and Dark
Side of Life on a Farm" following which
came the gentlemen's topic, viz: Large
Farms VS.. Small Farms" Subject present
ed by p. B. Reynolds, who favored the idea
of owning just the amount of land that we
are able to properly cultivate and manage.
He said in Michigan 100 TO 200 acres would
be clasSed as large farms, and so acres or
less, as small farms. He thought so TO 100
acres about the happy medium, as in his
opinion, the extra expense necessarily incur
red in operating farms larger than that
would counter-balance the extra amount
produced, except III exceptional cases. while
u 40 acre farm he considered too small TO be
made very profitable, as it cost more in pro-
portion to fence it, and nearly as much for a
team and tools to work it, and, as it would
not pay to hire on so small farm, great
deal OF work would have 70 be done at dis
advantage. Mr. $. X. Cook spoke in favor
of the large and Mr. Ii. A. Ellis the small
farm.
The Gentlemen's topic No. 2, BARLEY VS..
Brewer, BeerSeler and Beer-Drinker; their
Relative Influence on Intemperance and
Comparative Culpability," was introduced
by Mr.. e. NJ. Reynolds, who assuming that
there was culpaOility attributable to them
all, proposed to discuss the relative amount
of culpablity of each of them individually.
Mr.. Reynolds places the beer-seller second
on the list of comparative culpability, he is
culpable in proportion to his influence and
characteristics, the occupation OF the beer
seller is not an ennobling vocation and the
best specimens of enlightened manhood are
not fomnd behind the bar dispensing beer.
The beer drinker Is culpable as far as his
| example goes, also for neglect of family
and business, which usually follows eXces-
sive beer drinking. Mr.. +. j. Cook would
attach as much blame to the man who raises
barley,tO sell as to the man who stands be-
hind the bar and dspenses the adulterated
and perverted production Of the matted
grain, said he considered them equally cul-
pable. 1t was the sentiment of majority
of the club that farmer had perfect right
80 raise barley. That it was morally no
worse than the raising of corn or wheat
Notwithstanding the fact that certain evil
disposed persons might pervert portion of
it 10 an evil use.
Mr. c. Shepard and wife, of the Burton
farmers Club, were present, as commit
tee appointed by that organization for the
purpose, extended cordial invitation to the
members of this club and their friends, to
visit Lansing and the Agricultural College
in company with the Burton club June 4th.
Quite number expressed desire to join
them for the trip If possible.
The standing committee reported the fol-
lowing topics for discussion at the June
meeting: Topic for the ladies', "The Picnic
Considered as Rest to be presented by
Mrs. Purdy and Mrs. w. Clark. Gentle
mems topic, 'Wheat raising" was assigned
to Mr.. o. G. Waugh and Mr.. Lou Moore.
Miss Ellis rendered her resignation as
member of committee on music. Resigna-
ion accepted, and Mrs. Il. Martin was ap-
pointed as a member of said committee in
her stead:
Mr.. and Mrs. Watson were elected TO
membership In the Club.
Tea being announced by our hostess, the
club adjourned to meet with Mrs. j. Moore
at her home, June 25th. BIZ KIT.