PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS* CLUB. 289 



representation of American ag-ricultural implements and machinery and 

 agricultural productions at the exhibition which will be held at Hamburg, 

 one of the free cities of Germany, in July next, the Trustees of the Insti- 

 tute considered the subject, and, deeming- it of great importance that some 

 immediate action should be taken, asked the Farmers' Club to bring it 

 before the members at their first meeting. 



Prof Mapes. — We already send a vast amount of American agricultural 

 implements to Germany. I tliink the exhibition would be the means of 

 greatly increasing that trade. 



Dr. Trimble said that he cared but little for the trade, but he did care to 

 have this country express a reciprocal feeling for the great interest which 

 Germany has taken in the affairs of this country. 



Mr. Disturnell offered the following resolution: 



" Besolved, that a committee of seven be appointed for the purpose of 

 representing the interests of the Farmers' Club of the American Institute 

 in this great national enterprise, and to act in connection with other interests 

 favoring the same purpose." 



Which was adopted, and the following gentlemen appointed the committee: 



Messrs. Hugh Maxwell, William S. Carpenter, Isaac P. Trimble, R. G. 

 Pardee, J. A. Nash, Martin E. Thompson, and John G. Bergen, 



The Fence Question. 



Mr. Alex. Hammond, Rockford, 111., wants the Club to continue to agitate 

 this question, and sends a paper to show what they are doing in Illinois. 

 He says: 



" I am glad to see this subject discussed by so high authority as the 

 New York State Agricultural Society. The idea of no fences will prevail, 

 and we in this country will be the first to practice it. It is impossible that 

 the farmers on these prairies will forever be foolish in this matter. The 

 reasons for doing away with fencing here are greater than in any other 

 part of our land. Many, to whom the idea never occurred before, readily 

 approve of it; and others, whose first impulse was to ridicule, on reflection 

 say it is right and practicable. The idea is radical, and new to most 

 farmers, but it immediately secures intelligent and powerful advocates. 

 The discussion at the State fair, and at the recent meeting in Albany, as 

 well as in the American Institute Farmers' Club, is beginning to open 

 farmers' eyes. Keep the subject before them, and if they can learn to 

 dispense with fences it will be worth more to the country than all the gold 

 mines of California." 



The following resolutions were passed at a Farmers' Club meeting in 

 Winnebago county, Illinois: 



"Besolved, That every one ought to restrain his stock on his own 

 premises, and not require others to fence against them. 



"Besolved, That our present system of exterior fencing is compulsory, 

 and consequently in many cases unreasonable, unjust and oppressive. 



"Besolved, That all fencing should be voluntary, every man being 

 allowed to consult his own time, his own interest, and his own taste in 

 deciding when he shall fence, where he shall fence, and how much be shall 

 fence. 



[Am. In.s.1 19 



