The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-11-12

value Of their influence cannot be es-
timated and their importance to the
community Is best appreciated when
people generally speak of the club as
"a good thing for III ncighborhood."
All OF these clubs give "A great deal Of ,
attention to educational and social
features"
Why Organize Farmers Clubs.
THE Farmers club movement Is
important because 1t develops people.
1t brings u the best in the COM
munity and its activity results in a
betterment of conditions. In any COM
munity there is much more informa-
Of any one individual. Through the
Farmers club any community may
make this information available joint
~ to all who are in that neighbour
hood. and thus appreciably better the
conditions in that vicinity.
A organization for common pur-
poses where the necessities Of the
neighborhood may be discussed. and
concerted action taken, is more i'm
portant to a country community than
to the city or town. In the town the
commercial club is the cente of civic
action and the farmers club should
fill a similar place in the country.
Briefly. the chief reasons for %organiza-
ton are educational. social and finan-
cfal. The three purposes are common
to every community and are a basis
upon which all can unite.
The Social Feature.
THE social feature is especially
needed and appreciated by the women,
the boys and the girls. Woman's
than does that Of the men. More is
needed to relieve the monotonous
grind and enliven the daily round of
tasks that too often make of our wives
and mothers faded. dull and uninter-
esting drud~es. rather than the bright,
lively companions they might and
SHOULD siro Rs TOR h good Of the home
social features will add greatly to the
interest in home life. The social meet
tngs Will give an opportunity to bring
in speakers who know about what
others are doing. and will afford the
young people a chance to develop
suggestion, the Farmers club at Svea,
Mimi. boasts a very fine string or
chestra. Another club has its splen-
did male quartet, and a third its group
OF young folks that can give their
evenings of entertainment superior to
many of the best vaudeville shows in
our towns. There is no danger of the
questionable town amusements, when
opportunity and encouragement is Civ
en- for the development of this talent
lat the club. Encourage the young
people to do their best along these
lines. Make the club stand for real
sociability. better acquaintance, broad
er sympathies. deeper, cleaner think
ing. and richer living.
THE educational features that the
club may take up are many. All can
be made of vital interest and import
ance. AS a community can be no bet
ter than Its homes, especial attention
should be given to the home life. This
has a direct personal value in each
neighborhood. A discussion of meth
DDS of sanitation. of the prevention
of disease. by ventilation, of the ar
rangement Of the home and of the
farmstead. of the preparation and
value of different foods, of the neces-
sity of vegetables in the diet, of the
value of the home garden, are all of
Importance and furnish in themselves
ings.
Financial Advantages.
The third function of the Farmers
club Is to better the financial condi-
lions. Many farmers consider this
the most important. However, both
the social and educational features
community. since the proper attitude
toward: and sympathy for these. will
invariably promote better and more
stable financial conditions. The Farm
ers' club may better financial condi-
lions through increasing or fostering
cooperation. The club becomes a
medium through which communities
may work. and the farmer obtain
through cooperation with his neigh
Dor the benefits that are to be gained
from large business transactions.
THE individual farmer is helpless
as an individual in many lines. 1t
Is only as part of a group that he
may secure all the advantages or con-
~stderatton he should. When farmers
80 together into a business PROPOSE
ton. however. 1t should be with care,
and with a full understanding of the
obligation that is to be assumed. A
farmers club may properly buy select
seed grain for its members. but only
those members who are willing to go
themselves to meet the cost, should
be called upon to share the expenses
Of the transaction. In other words. 1t
Is the main purpose of the club to ret
people stirred to action. When the
time Is ripe for action. first Of all
study carefully what has been done
in a similar way by existing farmers
out what mistakes in business policy
have been made. Sufficient time
should then be taken to look over the
matter In hand. and to he assured
that 1t Is a real business venture and
not a flash in the pan. Be ready to
assume. If necd be. responsibility for
failure. Then. those who wish to do
some certain thing should get together
and make whatever business
ments are necessary in order to carry
out that line.
Among matters that may properly
be taken up by the farmer in con-
nection with his business II farming
are those of improved seed. better
stock. the testing Of the dairy herd.
selling and shipping Of livestock and
farm products. as eggs. poultry. hut-
ter, potatoes, hay, etc. These matters.
which call for some initial outlay of
cash. need careful business attention
and should be made separate and dis
Ittnct branches of the club work. The
financial responsibility and the bust.
ness responsibility. likewise. rest upon
those who enter in the enterprise. and
not upon the club as a whole. In
many communities a farmers club
has. through its individual members,
undertaken one or all of the business
activities mentioned. Others may be
added. as the club grows in strength
and in experience, but 1t should be
remembered hat there are some lines
OF activity upon which the farmers
cannot. with advantage. enter. Tho
farmers' club should be chiefly rom
cerned in developing cooperation. in
public activity along the lines Of ma
terials needed in production. in the
distribution of the farm products. or
such as weed eradication. fencing.
good roads. etc"