INTRODUCTION 7 



the Farmers' Club from 1875 to April, 1905) thought that the 

 real reason why it was not carried out was that the Club would 

 have become more of a political organisation than many mem- 

 bers cared for.* In its long history of usefulness the Club 

 has gone through several vicissitudes, but it is now in a stronger 

 position than at any previous time. It became associated \ 

 with the Central Chamber in 1892, and the joint dinner of 

 the Central Chamber and the Farmers' Club, held in December 

 every year, which was instituted in 1894, has helped to cement 

 the close bond of union now existing between the two Societies. 



In 1879 a new society, called the Farmers' Alliance, was 

 started. Mr. James Howard was elected Chaiiman, and 

 Mr. W. E. Bear, who was then editor of the Mark Lane 

 Express, was the Hon. Secretary. It was a sectional move- 

 ment ; the supposed interests of tenant farmers being the 

 primary consideration, as apart from the general interests 

 of the industry as a whole. The two main objects put for- 

 ward as its raison d'etre were to secure the better representa- 

 tion of tenant farmers in Parliament and to alter the law 

 relating to land tenure. As has been the case on other 

 occasions, the new name attracted a number of men who 

 had not identified themselves with existing societies, though, 

 broadly speaking, it advocated no new policy. It existed 

 for some few years, but a split in the camp occurred over the 

 question of Protection, and the association gradually died 

 out. 



A somewhat similar movement was started about 1890 

 ' under the title of the Federation of Farmers' Associations 

 in Lancashire. A branch of this was formed in Kent, but it 

 also soon died a natural death. 



The realisation of the necessity of organisation is evidence 

 of a certain degree of intelligence ; the less enlightened mem- 

 bers of an industry being always the last to enter any com- 

 bination formed for their mutual protection. It is natural, 

 therefore, that, generally speaking, landowners should have 

 fcaken the lead in almost all movements tending to the organisa- 



* Journal of the Farmers' Club, December, 1S92. 



