The Forrest City times., 1892-07-22
Farmers Clubs. Associations ant
 Institutes.

Farmers Clubs. Associations and
 Institutes.
 r,ly Bulletin and Crop Report Of the Arkan- sss Bureau of Agriculture.
 Education is the gathering in and storing of such information as may improve our intellectual and practical condition. Our capacity for eduCa- ton is limited, it is true. by our ahHity to perceive and comprehend, but as the acauiring of this faculty is the main object of common school training. and there are few in the state of Ark',iis;is who have not been within reach of these primary educational advantages 1t may be taken for granted that the farmer of the state IS as capable Tor education as any one of another voca- ton. Real knowledge does not come from books but is the result Of judi cious or injudicious application of rules which have been taught us for prac.. tice; knowledge. therefore. Is founded upon experience, whether of success or failure. X large slElre of the practical knowledge of today is obtained by con tact with the world; from the inter- course of men with tlseir fellow-beings' from the exchange of opinions, the discussion of methods: the comparing of experiences and tho investigation of facts.
 The farmers schooIroom is his gar den, his field, m fact his farm, and All the books and journals written only aid him to more fully understand the nature of the soils, the plants and the animals he has to deal with. and just in proportion as he knows the charac- ter of these things aud the influences that effect their growth and develop ment will his success be.
 One thing is sure, that the farmer needs to know everything he can re- lating to his business just as much as the lawyer, the doctor, the minister, the merchant and the artisan should know fully everything pertaining to his vocation. There IS no reason why tine farmer should not be the mind equal of any professional or business man.
 To acquire this knowledge it is first of all necessary that we try to learn something new at every opportunity that offers, and second that we make and increase opportunities for doing SO. We all can see the great benefit to be derived by farmers coming to- gether for the purpose of mutual in- struction, for i'll these meetings upon all questions relating to agriculture each participant is not only pupil but an instructor, for it should be the busi- ness at these gatherings of each to i'm part to others the knowledge which he or she may have gained by experience or observation.
 One of the first organized methods for the farmers benefit should be then the institution of farmers neighbor- hood club, the meetings of which, for social and economic reasons. might be once week or month at tue school house.
 Out of these neighborhood clubs would naturally grow the farmers county association, held semi-annually or quarterly, with fund for the ac- auisition of a library and expenses Of a county fair. Here would be brought together for heathful emulation the agricultural representatives of the county, the circle of acquaintance with people of other localities would be en- larged, causes of success or failure, of progress or hindrance, discussed, CO., operation for the purpose of transpor- fation changes, or the enactment of beneficiary laws, would be formed. and measures adopted to advance the-agri- cultural interests of the county.
 There is, however, d third organized factor for the education of the farmer and to the full efficiency of this the efforts of all organizations should labor.
 We speak of farmers institutes to be held at least once a year in every county of the state under the direction of supervisory board and under the laws of the state.
 This board might be composed of ap- pOIntees s-One from each congressional district who with the commissioner of agriculture shall constitute depart ment for the improvement of agricul- ure and the promotion of agricultural education throughout the state.
 They should be required to hold one meeting in each county annually aid may hold as many more as will be ex' pedient.
 The meetings should be held either Independently or in connection with any agricultural association and tht board should have fuA discretion tC employ lecturers, essayists, or othe, aids in the econductingo of these institute: and should by Il judicious programme encourage the discussion of such ques tions and methods as are of interest t(
 
 the same general object.
 For the furtherance of such plan the benefit of which no one can doubt it will be, of course, necessary to ob tain the legislation and financial sup port of the general assembly.
 Justice to the farmer, however, sug' gests that our legislators do as muci for them as they have done for the education of the teacher. In fact the needs of the farmer, the principal fac tor in the commonwealth of Arkansas ask recognition n this direction. The Legislatures of New York, Pennsyl vania, Indiana, Ohio, Vermont, etc.. all have fully responded to this de mand and have passed laws which are a credit to the wisdom of their origi' nators and boon to the agricultur- alist. We urge the farmer then to or ganize for the purpose of education in the right way. Form your clubs, es- tablish your associations, keep politics and religious questions out of your as semblies and bring your united efforts to the enacting of laws for your ad- vancement and prosperity and the resalt will be a higher grade of farm ing and an ennobling of your vocation.
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