68 THE GROUNDSWELL. 



&quot;AMERICAN INSTITUTE FARMERS CLUB.&quot; 



This society, founded in 1843, had a more than usually 

 active career for thirty years, or until the summer of 1873, 

 when, from various causes, many of them of chronic standing, 

 it ceased to hold its regular meetings. During the first 

 twenty years of its existence, it effected a vast amount of 

 good, and, through its published Transactions and the news 

 paper press, exercised an immense influence, reaching over 

 the whole country. It has numbered many eminent men 

 among its members, and its fairs, held annually in New 

 York City, have always excited much interest. 



Of late years, unfortunately, it has been managed by 

 unpractical, theoretical men, and has lost its former hold on 

 public attention, various rumors of &quot; axe-grinding &quot; and 

 other irregularities becoming current. In the summer of 

 1873, its meetings ceased to be held, and, to all appearance, the 

 Club was a thing of the past. A few months later, however, 

 its meetings were resumed, and it is to be hoped that it will 

 profit by its season of rest. 



The Institute Farmers Club has certainly borne a prom 

 inent and most honorable part in bringing the agriculture of 

 the State to the advanced position which it now occupies ; and, 

 had its labors extended to no other field, it might well be 

 proud of the manner in which its members strove for agri 

 cultural education during its days of vigor and practical 

 endeavor. Let us hope that it will renew its youth, and 

 more than emulate its former usefulness. 



CLUBS IN MASSACHUSETTS. 



But, away back beyond the date of the organization last 

 named ; we had Farmers Clubs; for we find that, in 1803, 



