proceedings of the farmers' club. 161 



'Appeal to Farmers in Behalf of Soldiers' Orphans. 



Mr. Solon Robinson.— Mrs. 11. P. Flanagan, Sun Prairie, Dane Co., Wis., 

 sends to the Club the following appeal for the orphans of soldiers: 



" Will you permit me to say a few words, not about farming, but to the 

 thousands of farmers and their wives, who read the proceedings of the 

 Club. The winter is approaching — the long, cold winter. To you, in your 

 comfortable farm-houses, with your well-filled barns and cellars, the thought 

 brings no dread, but there are many who shudder at its approach. All over 

 our land may be found families whose main stay has been swept away by 

 the scythe of war now devastating our land — widows and orphans are on 

 every side. I do not write to excite the compassion of our farmers, for I 

 know that they are in general never deaf to the voice of suffering; but, 

 friends, cannot many of you find room in your homes and your hearts for 

 one of these little orphaned ones. To you the added expense will be very 

 small, but to the widow, whose frail hands are her only support, every 

 child is an added burden. Especially is this the case in cities, where every 

 article of food and all the fuel must be purchased, and however bountiful 

 the hand of charity may be, much destitution will be known. I know 

 many will say that the adoption of a child is too serious a responsibility. I 

 acknowledge its importance; still, friends, let us do our part, and trust in 

 the Father of the Fatherless to guide us aright. I write because I believe 

 there are many who will act on the suggestion. I have merely written my 

 thoughts on the subject, as I really think many farmers will do more if 

 their attention is called to it. If you will speak of the matter in some way 

 in the Club, for you know, as well as I how wide-spread is the influence 

 which it wields." 



Hickok's Potato Plow or Digger. 



The Secretary — At the late exhibition of the American Institute, Mr. S. 

 S. Hickok exhibited his patent potato plow or digger, the committee ap- 

 pointed to examine agricultural implements reported in favor of the ma- 

 chine, and the Managers awarded to the inventor a bronze medal. The 

 advantages claimed for this instrument are as follows : 



First — It separates the row by a curved bar in front of the standard, 

 throwing aside the weeds and vines, and preventing the choking, so annoy- 

 ing in other plows used for the same purpose. 



Second — The double mould boards pass under the potatoes without 

 cutting or injuring them, and together with the earth are delivered upon 

 the vibrating prongs, the rapid motion of which thoroughly sifts the earth 

 and leaves the potatoes upon tlie surface to be gathered up at pleasure 



Third — By this process of digging, the surface of the field is left in a 

 comparatively level condition with the soil fine!}' pulverized for sowing grain. 



Adjourned. John W. Chambers, Secrefari/. 



October 13, 1863. 

 Mr. Nathan C. Ely in the chair. 



The Tribune Strawberries. 



Mr. H. n. Sherman writes from East Knox, Maine, a letter which shows how 

 the distribution of the Tribune prize strawberry plants is likely to aflfect 

 the minds of the people, so as to promote improvement in fruit culture. 



[Am. Inst.] L 



