FARMERS' CLUBS. 377 



ent modes of husbandry, and the different methods which should 

 be pursued under different conditions. 



For three successive years we have had, at the- close of our exhi- 

 bition, a Farmer's Supper, with beans and brown bread, pumpkin 

 pies, vegetables, and whatever else farmers raise ; the ladies gather 

 together and we go and have a grand sit down ; frequently we get 

 some good speeches, so that the thing is well spiced, and we have 

 really a good time. 



Mr. Walker of Topsham. We have held meetings once a week, 

 and they have been very well attended, not only by the farmers of 

 our town, but from the towns adjacent. We have had several 

 addresses, and I do not know when so much interest has been taken 

 in any matter as I have seen manifested in our region in agricul- 

 tural matters since the organization of the club. At the outset we 

 feared that we could not bring our friends out, but after one or two 

 meetings we found everybody took a great interest in them. We 

 filled the various churches — for the meetings were held one week 

 in one church, and the next in another — and the discussions we 

 regard as having been very beneficial indeed. We expect a very 

 much better exhibition this year in consequence of the establish- 

 ment of our Farmers' Club. 



The Chairman. Have your meetings been continued through the 

 summer ? 



Mr. Walker. No, sir, they have not. 



The Chairman. Have yours, Mr. Buck. 



Mr. Buck. Club meetings drag hard through the summer 

 months ; but when the evenings grow longer and farmers have a 

 little ijiore time, we hold meetings regularly ; we do not hold them 

 regularly through the summer. We have occasional lectures, some- 

 times connected with agriculture, and sometimes with other mat- 

 ters, for we want to make our club a nucleus for everything good 

 we can bring into it. We discuss a variety of subjects. One night 

 we took up the question of sheep-husbandry ; and we have ven- 

 tilated pretty thoroughly the cheese-factory question, and have 

 almost come to the conclusion that a cheese factory is what we 

 need and must have. Our farms have improved, our minds have 

 improved, our hearts have improved, and we think we have im- 

 proved all round. 



The Chairman. I would inquire of Mr. Chamberlain if it is 

 thought advisable to try to keep up meetings through the summer ? 



Mr. Chamberlain. It is not practicable here. 



