Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-10-01
Farmers Clubs In Canada.

A new form of farmers organization,
that is taking root and spreading In On
tario, is the farmers club. Its popular
ity is based upon Its being local, definite
and concrete In its aims and objects.
The membership rarely covers large
area, as is necessarily the case with the
older organization known as the farmers
institute, but Is made up of the residents
of limited locality, who take up mat
ters Of practical local interest and discuss
topics at close range.
The number of farmers clubs increased
during 1911 from 1874 to 215. Aside from
social and educational gatherings, they
have taken up such matters as co-opera
tion in the purchase Of supplies, the es-
tablisbment of rural telephone lines, the
introduction of pure bred stock, the So
curing Of pure seeds and similar practical
activities. The results have invariably
been of great advantage to individual
members and benefit to the community.
Similarly, short courses in stock and
seed judging are proving to be among
the most popular and effective education
al means. These were held at forty
places throughout the province, general
iy under the auspices Of the local farmers
institute, and frequently with the CO.
operation Of the local representative.
The institutes branch supplied q large
tent for the use of places which do not
possess suitable accommodation. The
local farmers supplied the live stock, and
competent speakers from the depart
ment were on hand to point out In the
most practical way the good and bad
points in each type Of animal. This is
followed by discussion so that the de-
sirable points in an animal or in seed
NAV be Impressed thoroughly on the
minds of those present. Ithas been very
gratifying to notice the large number Of
young farmers who have attended these
gatherings and taken deep interest In
the instruction given.
Individual clubs accomplish many con-
crete benefits for their respective dis.
tricts, thus showing the advantages OF
combined action. For example, In Dur
ham County farmers club was instru-
mental in getting railway station few
miles from Port Hope, thus saving time
and money to their members. Three
farmers' clubs revived the ploughing
match.
In Prince Edward farmers clubs Sc
cured q new railway station, extensions
of rural telephones and rural mail, pur-
chased seeds comparatively and interest
cd agricultural societies in field crop
competitions. A club, which organized
into cooperative association year ago,
has continued very successfully.
Addresses have beeu given on such
subjects as: preparation of Soil,
"Renovating and Care of Orchards, ''
sSeed Control Act, )" "Illustrated Address
on the Worlds Famous Pictures" "The
Citizenship OF Canada" "Tbe Attitude
OF the Farmer in Early Settlement Com
pared with the Attitude Of the Farmer
at the Present Day"
The farmers clubs are not In any way
rival organizations to the farmers insti-
tutes rather the one 10 the offspring OF the
other-a club within Q olub-and the
work of both is conducted on mutually
helpful co-ope, ative basis. Judging By
the success Of the farmers club move
ment In 30 short . time It bids fair to
sweep over tho province and thus to
meet an ever growing need for moro con.
centrated and definite lines OF study and
discussion. Yeigh, In Tribune
Farmer.