FARMERS' CLUBS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 270, 18 October 1883, Page 2

FARMERS' CLUBS.

[From the Wood" vilie Examiner. J iVykshould be yetj. pleased ,-tOjsee a*: -Farmers' Club estabiishedin-^WooaTflle; Bure that vrere such an institu-tion-inaugurated, thY immediate and prospective advantages would become 'apparent to ' all. 1 -As a rule, m New Zealand, farmers m the bush districts lead too isolated lives, i and do not make ■ / themselves j sufficiently acquainted with the agricultural progress ' that is assisting to develop tn« resources of other localities similarly situated. In almost every case where a Farmers' Club has< been initiated, it has been th e irieans of bringing the tanning community more closely intb con* act, with the result that mistakes are made apparent, and past, experience is turned to good account Too often .it happens that year efcer year the same or similar blunders ; are ' perpertrated, and farmers become dis- | courageri because their industry and enterprise fails. to produce satisfactory' results'. . Eyeh 1 •V, practical ,farmers> ; bf '* large and long-, experience frequently'; commit ? Igraye which \ they fci afterwards 'by .comparing notetf with others discorer to h»ve been such. It is not to be expected that perSbus foU lowing,.] agriwiVturfll pursuits will .be ? any. more free' from a tendency tb'erc r ijb'an.l'people 'm! other walks' of life. iVlecbanicp, professional men; contrac- . tors,, and those engaged m other avbca- - tiphs are continually falling into error, and d*a^ by day r their experience :bacomes.more to themselves," if they |p, ay attention to its teachings ancLendaamur to profit by its lessons. "What we would ,like to see would be a Farmers' Club m every small centre,' which the settlers would soon recognize .a8 7 tkeir 'best', medium for ' the inter-' change of experiences, (comparing "notes, tfrfd putting-results side -by side. We could not attempt here to enumerate all or nearly all the benefits that would accrue to the Agricultural community from the establishment of a Farmers' Club. Ap the producers' are the main stay of the town, so if their position, circumstances, and. knowledge become improve^, the advantage' to the who'e district would be relatively: enhanced. Experience has shewn that the establishment of Farmers'% Cljibßj v (or s Union as they are ca led m- Australia), inthe large centres only, does not answer the desirfed^porpose^and astarule tb.ey do not survive. What is wanted is small Clabs,every here and- there? with a very moderate fee for membership, the members) meetiag frequently,, and discussing l m>t|;ers appertaining to the farming There maybe_ia torijanfction r therewith,^an^ .annual or'hah-yearly^. meeting, pi deleg ites," chosen frbrn edch* individual, .Cjub,. wiiibh stibul I trans ict : its business,, m a slightly more'f rnial ' manner, and the proceedings of which would.be pf .general interest. Sdch an organization would prove to' possess^ •1 o a very potent political influence 1 , 1 which could be exercised v mo3t beneficial 1 y in ffiany^ way-87 B at the em »l ler : j Clubs must first be launched , into ex-f istenoftj^^td jit . the and sniwll settlers consult their;, own interests, they,. ; will put forth every effort' with the proposed end m view. ..Wood vile, as the centre of what, is taat becoming a yery importanl; farming dist>icr, on' account of the acknowledged fertility of its, soil and favourable surrounciings, snonjd. considering the initiatory 'sfe'p^.tb "be taken towards founding a Farmers,' Cliib. :r^y t^e^clo^e. rejatibnshi^which would be secarecl,' brought "about iby aff nity; of interests, anil the . neces sity for .mutual, 'assistance and, selUproJtectibn', by the useful , knowledge that" promulga.te3 X , l and the experience diffused, and by having a'ceess to publ c it i>n3 issued m the interests of agriculturists, the vrbole system of farming would be improved and' the beneficial results would be perceptible m other directions affecting the whole^ cbmtnan ; ty. In no occupation 'are, unity and combination so essendil to RUcc-'SSas among farmers, who, we trust will no^ieefc to disclaim! or. ignore tieirindividual responsibility m the matter wh cb we have now -brought prominently und er their notice. ;