Year: 1870

gent farmers, and engaged in agricultural pur-
suits; and in the second place, that each indi-
vidual member, while engaged in his avoca-
ton, pursues course peculiar to himself, and
III some respects unlike all the Others Now
at the Club meeting. as any subject is present
ed, each individual will of course relate the
results obtained from his peculiar system of
cultivation. 1t follows, then, that the best
possible results in that vicinity are made known
and as matter of course, each individual hav-
ing learned the process by which the superior
result was obtained. will be likely to adopt the
same course as nearly as circumstances will
allow, not only IN respect to single crop, but
to all farming operations, Here, then, is an
exchange of experiences; a commerce of prac-
tical facts, and no person will attempt to deny
that an exchange of ideas, whether relating to
agriculture or any other subject, promotes
mental improvement.


Again, it is self-evident fact that practical
experience is the most valuable, especially to
the farmers; and in the Farmers Club there
is, so to speak, fund of really practical infor-
nation, garnered from innumerable sources
from which each member may draw something
for his own benefit.


Much benefit may also be derived from the
Club exercises, in social point of view. 1t is
fact to be regretted that as general rule
farmers, in consequence of the isolation occa-
stoned by their occupation, are less social than
most other classes, and if any method can be
adopted whereby this evil, which certainly is
an evil, can be eradicated, it should be deemed
an important consideration as affecting the
well being of society in general The more in
Selligent the farmer, the better prepared is he
to understand and apply the principles of agri-
culture, and in fact the advancement of the
age demands that the farmer should be tho
roughly educated man, and the greater amount
Of information that he receives, the more sus-
ceptible is he Of receiving. At the present
time, book farming, as it is called, is growing
more popular. Now, what is book farming but
pursuing the methods of others that have
proved successful and have been recorded in
print?


Then why are not Farmers Clubs more gen.
orally organized? One reason which undoubt-
edly might be given is, that in most cases the
FARMER IeelS JnaC MS WnOle euOrCS must De put
forth in the cultivation of his crops and the
general management of his farm. This arises
from sort of morbid state of intellect, perhaps
partly the result of severe labor. This ought
not TO be so. There is no farmer that cannot
if he chooses, easily spare an hour or two each
week for the improvement of his mind, espe-
cially if he keeps a close eye to business, and
looks we'll to it that every thing requiring to
be done should be done at the proper time.
Twice, yea thrice as much time as an attend
ance upon agricultural meetings require, is
lost from not attending to what requires to be
done at the proper time and place. And, not
unfrequently, the same men who would be the
first to declare that they could not spend the
time, when asked to attend an agricultural
meeting, or to help to form Farmers Club,
spend one, two, and even three evenings in
a week in the grocery or postoffice. 1t is un-
doubtedly a fact, that all great reforms have
been brought about by agitation, and that too,
when at the outset, obstacles appeared almost
insurmountable. Now, as what man has done
man can do let the agitation of the subject of
farmers conventions or clubs be continued
until .he Gay shall dawn when agriculture
shall be acknowledged to be, as it truly is, the
most healthy, the most honest, and the noblest
occupation that has ever engaged mans atten-
tion.-Baltimore american.