THE ADVANTAGES OF FARMERS' CLUBS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 878, 7 February 1879, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE ADVANTAGES OF FARMERS' CLUBS.

The following article, taken from the Albany Country Gentleman, will be read with interest, 33 there is sound common ! sense tn it:— , A farmers' club should be a farmers isnnftfrwncc where all can come together attft not only impart and call for informa- ; tion, bat talk over all matters in which they are interested. 2»ot a little useful information is brought out in general conversation, both before and after the recti tar discussion. Feeling more freedom, innnv men who have been led to thought and conversation by what they have heard than "talk freely. There is much social ! enjoyment and satisfaction experienced in this way, and this is not confined to the Many talk over the various matters and ideas brought out when at home as well as with their neighbors, and Um« the influence of tho discussion is larijetyexkndid. The regular discussions of the club should he conducted with as little formality ac* foible ; members should address the 'chair, and usually rise when they speak ; hut if anyone who has never been aci customed to public speaking should wish to make statements or ask qnestions from Ida scat, he should be allowed to do so; many men will thus furnish or call out naefnl information, that could not be ! pcranaded to stand up and do H, but in time they may acquire confidence and talk as freely as any one. # , The questions for discussion should relate to matters of immediate interest at the time: as, at the commencement of winter, tho care of stock : tho prospec a of the meat markets, both live and dressed, and any other questions that farmers are naturally led by their interest to talk over at tl "time. It is well to devote a brief portion of ejetra or preliminary business as fiucattotu and answers, or matters not dirictly appertaining to the regular question L discussion. This chance for •boning information may induce some to * t ,Vnd who otherwise might not think of i CO TW g 'lcading object of a good farmers' to promote production. How JW grow «roj«, raißc stock, manage the

dairy,-and~ produce. wooVas well as. the different kinds of meat, are of the greatest importance, and are not in the least danger of being too fully and thoroughly investigated and discussed. These questions are always iu order, though of coursa the preference will be given to the branches of farming more "etierallv practiced in the suctions where the clubs are located. To promote improvement and success in these branches, will of course be the leading object; but there are other incidentd and collateral questions growing out of them, that of course will receive a share of attention. Not the least of such questions which are of interest and importance to farmers, are those relating to marketing aud transportation of farm products. Closely relating to these questions, are those relating to the prospects and yields and amount of the various crops and farm products, as they are made ready for market. More accurate knowledge on these points is greatly needed. Farmers' club 3 should be made one of the most effectual mean 3 to draw attention to these matters. Besides direct improvements m all things relating to farmers' pecuniary interests are those relating to mental and social questions. Farmers should practice public speaking, so as to be ready on any emergency to advocate and take care of their pwn affairs. They should also become accustomed to writing with clearness and precision, which will be found of no little advantage on many occasions. For the practice of both there is no bettor time or place than the farmers' club. There is no critical editor to refuse the communication, and no sharp lawyer to pick his remarks to pieces ; but there is rather, or should be, every encouragement both to speak and write. Then with practice many will become able to speak almost anywhere, and to write communications suitable for most journals. These men will become more intelligent, and mucli better posted than otherwise might be the case. If a man is to speak, he is pretty sure to think of something to say ; it he is to prepare a paper to read, he will give some thought and study to the subject he is to write on, as he will feel pride and satisfaction in getting up a good paper ; while this thought, study and practice in speaking or writing, as well as that of others, of which he will receive a share of the benefit, will be no slight help in promoting general intelligence. Theu the club is of no slight advantage in a social point of view. Farmers, from their scattered location all over the country, live somewhat isolated lives—in many cases decidedly so ; while in few sections are they sufficiently near for the best social enjoyment. By bringing them more often together, and making them better acquainted, the meetings are a very good remedy for this isolation. By getting better acquainted, and becoming more accustomed to speak and write, they are better prepared to act together as one body. Merchants and manufacturers understand the great advantage of thus working together ; and their various associations, through the agents they employ, are able to secure nearly all laws for their special benefit that they may desire. Farmers are greatly l superior in numbers and voters, and have men enough of sufficient ability to secure all they want, were they accustomed to act together and thus make their power felt. But this they have not yet learned to do, and the farmers' club is the place to begin. It is to farmers what the common school is for education—lt is the foundation upon which the great superstructure, by which to make their power felt, must be built.