FARMERS' CLUBS. 403 



its geological and mineralogical collections, its birds, shells, and 

 numerous objects in various branches of natural history. 



The interest that has been awakened in the agricultural commu- 

 nity has been such that I am firmly convinced that it is the duty 

 of this board, and of all others interested in the agricultural pro- 

 gress of the State, by all possible means to encourage the formation 

 of these clubs. 



Mr. Gilbert of Androscoggin. There have been several clubs 

 in Androscoggin for a number of years. The oldest club in the 

 State, so far as I know, is in that county. Those which have been 

 organized for a considerable length of time, have reaped rich re- 

 sults. There has been very evident progress, in many directions. 

 I think there are none of those active members who would wish to 

 dissolve the organization. They are live clubs, and will continue. 



Last fall, through the influence of the Board of Agriculture, an 

 effort was made to organize more clubs. They were organized. 

 The success of all these clubs was not as great as we could desire, 

 still, we hope for and do not doubt that we shall reap good results. 

 At any rate, there are some there who intend to work for them ; 

 and if our work is crowned with success you may hear from 

 Androscoggin again. 



Rev. J. H. GuRNEY. I certainly am convinced of the usefulness 

 of these clubs. From what I have known of them, and from what 

 little I have seen in this place, I think not half as much has been 

 done here during the winter as should be. It is hard getting the 

 members to take hold with the interest we know they ought to 

 feel, and it is hard to keep up a continued interest. But they are 

 exceedingly useful in exciting to inquiry and discussion, and bring- 

 ing out facts and experience. They occupy the same relation to 

 the farming business as our meetings for social conference do to 

 religious services. They bring out individuals to give their ex- 

 perience, to state what they have done, and what they have failed 

 to do, what they ought to do, and what they have tried to do. For 

 this reason it is very important they should be kept up. An im- 

 portant inquiry is. How shall they be kept up ? One good way 

 would be to have papers prepared, as you do here. It seems to 

 me that is indispensable. If some individuals will prepare papers 

 on the several questions to be discussed, and give to the work the 

 best strength of their minds, and do it well, they may make them 

 exceedingly interesting, and draw out and interest others ; but to 

 gather here and have a general talk, on no point in particular, with 



