^ FARMERS' CLUBS. 405 



this subject, either in regard to his views generally, or of any per- 

 sonal experience he may have had, 



Mr. Gold. Perhaps you may be interested in learning the 

 history of the club of which I am a member, and which was estab- 

 lished more than twenty-five years ago, and may therefore be 

 considered as having attained its majority, and entitled to speak of 

 what it has done. 



The Farmers' Club at West Cornwall, Conn,, was established in 

 1843, and has renewed its organization, and held meetings every 

 winter, since that time. The population is quite scattei'ed, as 

 there is no central village, and the farms being mostly devoted to 

 grazing, are rarely less than one hundred acres. Surely there 

 must have been some feeling that they were benefitted to induce 

 the citizens of such a region to gather regularlj?^ every winter for 

 the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to their calling. 

 Novelty has long since ceased to attract, and a feeling that it 

 is an institution that must be sustained is an influence that 

 induces many, whose years draw them closely about their own 

 firesides, to relinquish this indulgence and face the keen blasts 

 which sweep over those hills. 



The organization is very simple. Meetings are held only in 

 winter evenings. In the spring the club adjourns to the call of 

 the President or Secretary. At the first autumnal meeting the 

 club is organized by the choice of a President, Vice President and 

 Secretary. Meetings are held at the houses of the members, as 

 arranged at the previous meeting, or called by the President or 

 Secretary. The meetings are free to all, and are held in remote 

 as well as central locations, to accommodate all ; but wherever 

 sickness or other family circumstances make it inconvenient, the 

 parties are not expected to invite the club. 



The club is maintained by the farmers, but merchants, mechanics 

 and professional men unite in the discussions. Old and young, 

 male and female, are alike attendants. As soon as the company 

 is generally assembled, the men gather in a room set apart for 

 their use and discuss the topic for the evening, the selection of 

 which is usuall}^ left with the person at whose house the club 

 meets. Matters of household economy, and other subjects of gen- 

 eral interest, are discussed by the whole company. At nine 

 o'clock the discussion regularly closes. We have but one by-law, 

 and that a very good one, — " No member is allowed to occupy 

 more than ten minutes in speaking, except with the permission of 



