Now for the Farmers’ Club. 
During the active spring, summer and 
autumn campaigns of ruralists our talk has 
chiefly been of practical matters, such as 
pertained to field, orchard and garden op¬ 
erations. But the most important labors 
of the farmer and gardener are nearly fin¬ 
ished for the season, and other themes de¬ 
mand attention. Having devoted special 
attention to the cultivation and improve¬ 
ment of the soil, let us discuss what may 
be done to improve and store the mind dur¬ 
ing the approaching season of hibernation 
and comparative leisure, 
The season for organizing and operating 
Farmers’ Clubs, Institutes, and the like, is 
rapidly approaching, and we wish thus 
early'to call the attention of our readers to 
the importance and usefulness of such or¬ 
ganizations-. Every populous “rural dis¬ 
trict” should have an association of soil 
culturists and regularly hold weekly or 
fortnightly meetings for discussion, the 
reading of essays on practical subjects and 
occasional lectures. Such a meeting is a 
good place to receive or impart valuable 
information, and, indeed, the best place for 1 ; 
many cultivators. Discussion by intelli¬ 
gent, practical men is sure to bring out’ 
useful facts—to separate the wheat from 
the chaff—and the more grain and fruit 
growers, breeders, graziers, dairymen, etc., 
participate in it the better will their re¬ 
spective home interests be promoted. Facts, 
obtained by careful experiment and close 
observation are what farmers and horti¬ 
culturists want, and the best way to elicit 
them,is by comparing experiences in field, 
orchard, dairy, stable and garden, and free 
discussion thereupon. 
As we once said, while urging this sub¬ 
ject upon the readers of another journal, 
the organization of a club is an easy and 
very simple matter. Let a dozen live, pro¬ 
gressive cultivators (or even a less number) 
meet and elect the necessary officers. The 
adoption of a few plain rules of guidance 
and the election of a president, secretary 
and treasurer will be sufficient for an or¬ 
ganization, though it may be well to ap¬ 
point an executive and a few special com¬ 
mittees. The subjects for discussion should 
be those of most interest to members. If 
in a grain growing section let topics per¬ 
taining to the culture of the cereals have 
precedence—and if fruit growing or dairy¬ 
ing be the leading interest preference should 
be given accordingly, though a variety of 
subjects may be discussed and written 
upon during the season of leisure and hi¬ 
bernation through which frequent meetings 
will naturally be held. 
If the membership of the club is numer¬ 
ous, it will be desirous to hold the meetings 
in a public hall or school house, where a 
sizable audience can be accommodated 
without inconvenience—for, if the proceed¬ 
ings prove as interesting as they should, 
many non-members will soon become reg¬ 
ular attendants. But if a club has but a 
few members, or is in a comparatively 
sparse settled neighborhood, it may be well 
to hold the meetings at the houses of mem¬ 
bers. Some of the best clubs in the coun¬ 
try have adopted the plan of meeting at 
the homes of the various members—first 
examining the premises (crops, stock, 
buildings, fences, etc.,) if the weather is 
favorable, and then proceeding to business. 
In some notable instances farmers’ wives 
have become members and met at the 
same time, they discussing household 
affairs while their husbands talked upon 
the culture of crops, care of stock and 
other matters pertaining to farming op¬ 
erations. But whatever the plan adopted, 
organize a club and endeavor to make it a 
success—beneficial to yourself and those of 
your fellow-citizens engaged in the most 
useful of all pursuits.-Tribune and Farmer . 
Man was created a little lower than the 
angels, and he generally stays there. 
When you have had Catarrh long enough, just 
send 10c. to Dr. R. C. Sykes, 181 Monroe St. Chicago, 
for his “True Theory of Catarrh.” 
The Yassar-College girls don’t care for 
the new elevator lately introduced there. 
They prefer to slide down the banisters. 
Have you seen Reed’s advertisement on page 25& 
Look at it and order at once and you will not regret 
it. He will do just as he says he will. Send you 12 
choice Concord vines for $1.00, A good crop, second 
year. Order now. 
—Did you ever see a more liberal Prize Offer on so 
Iowa priced paper, as that on second cover page? 
