STATE ASSOCIATION OF FARMERS' CLUBS. 



The State Association of Farmers' Clubs is still a potent factor in the 

 State of Michigan. The good that it lias accomplished cannot be esti- 

 mated. One of the first aims of the association was the formation of new 

 clubs — its aim in this direction lias surpassed even the most sanguine 

 expectations, and the good work along this line is still going on; some of 

 course have dropped by the wayside. 



While the number of local clubs is large, too small a per cent are mem- 

 bers of the State Association; a club's membership being wholly volun- 

 tary; there being nothing compulsory about it. 



The State Association is not a separate organization, it is the allied 

 forces of the local clubs working conjointly; every club which gives it iis 

 support adds to its influence; any club that withdraws its support detracts 

 from that influence. 



Man is a social being, and a large per cent of his happiness is derived 

 from an interchange of ideas with his fellows. Times have very materially 

 changed since the days when our forefathers with the ox team visited 

 their neighbors. Times and the situation are encroaching upon the farm, 

 and demanding more and more of the citizens thereon. But those people 

 with tact, energy and enthusiasm, the class that makes any enterprise 

 move, are found in every community equal to the emergency, and meeting 

 all demands intelligently without fear and trembling. 



There was lacking to the farmer and his family social privileges. 

 Necessity is a good master, and the Farmers' Club was born to fill this 

 want, and its members are benefited mentally, morally and socially. 

 Today in those communities in which exists a nourishing club, a farmer's 

 life is rendered happier, richer and much more complete than ever before. 



A few years ago the bushy roadside, the briar-grown fence corners were 

 the rule, not the exception; today they are the exception, and not the rule, 

 in those counties strong in the Farmers' Club movement — and the credit 

 we believe is due to this organization; particularly to its itinerancy. 



Organization is today the lever that moves the world. Let then the 

 farmers continue to organize — be the power behind the throne — make 

 yourselves felt in the business world — do your own thinking, do not let 

 someone else do it for vou : do not let vourselves be controlled wholly 1>\ 

 the "bulls and bears." 



The local clubs throughout the State are discussing live topics— not 

 merely those pertaining to their own individual locality— but those of 

 vital interest to every citizen of the State of the Lakes, and the United 

 States as well. The clubs are discussing today measures that will benefit 

 the farmer, and when the convention meets in annual session in December, 

 the delegates will be prepared to present such measures as are deemed 



