The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-02-27

these various associations come to-
gether in three days meeting,
where are discussed not only
agricultural topics but such as are
OF vital interest to the community.
One interesting feature of this
meeting IS a record of events that
have occurred in the community
during the year, compiled by an
historian previously appointed.
Once i'll three years these ANIMALS
are published in book form, and
make most interesting and valu-
able history for reference.
There are three farmers clubs,
limited to sixteen members each.
Members are eligible only by cleo
ton when a vacancy occurs. The
Oldest of these has been in ex-
lstence since 1874, the second since
1866. The latter has never missed
a regular monthly meeting since
its establishment, the former never
but few during the trying days
OF the Civil War. for they met not
tar from the scene of action. Cen
eral "Jeb" Stuart's cavalry passed
through Sandy Springs on one of
its raids. The sound of the firing
at both battles Of Bull Run, to the
south, and the booming of cannon
at Antietam, thirty miles to the
north, shook the houses.
These clubs always meet at the
tarmhouses. 1t was my good for
tune to attend one of the meetings
OF the second club. They met at
4 D. H.. organized, and then, un-
der a foreman" went over the
place, making notes and observa-
lions on what they saw. Then we
returned to the house and sat
down to bountiful supper always
provided by the hostess. After
ward the minutes of the previous
meeting were read, including CON-
ments on what had been seen at
the last place of meeting. Then
an essay was read on subject
selected at the last meeting. The
essayist is always the one who was
host at that previous meeting, and
The subject one suggested by some
thing seen on his farm or what he
IS doing. After the reading each
in turn was asked to express him
self,s and did. Then each was
asked if he had a question. Most
had one. A variety of subjects
were freely and intelligently dis
cussed. | have been associated
with all sorts and conditions of
men i'll various walks of life, but |
haye never heard sixteen men ex-
press themselves more freely and
intelligently aud in better English
than did these farmers. The far
mer who presided would have
graced the Speakers chair in any
legislative body. These were not
city men, but working farmers,
living from income derived from
the farm.
1t struck me as not unlikely that
these clubs during the years have
been no small feature in maintain
ing the dignity of agriculture and
feeling Of "noblesse oblige" that
has kept a proper portion of the
young men on the farms, for these
homes are in possession of men in
the third and fourth generations,
whose brothers have gone out into
the great world. Were it proper
| could mention names of bankers,
lawyers, physicians and others
prominent in the business world
who point with pride to the fact
that they come from these Quaker
farm homes.
In most rural neighborhoods
there is no class of men who are
more jealous of one another and
his family than the country doc
tors. TOO often their respective
patients are equally jealous of the
standing each of his own particular
physician, until they change doc
tors. Here are four practising
physicians, with two retired, who
1.