THE CULTIVATOR. 
Deo. 
Farmers’ Clubs. 
Another season with its results and its varied expe¬ 
riences is now before the cultivators of the Farm and 
Garden, and many a fact of practical value has been 
learned by them during that period. Different indi¬ 
viduals, however, seem to turn over different leaves in 
the great library of Nature, each reading a special 
lesson of her operations ; hence, by the communication 
and comparison of their experiences, much valuable 
knowledge may be added to the general as well as in¬ 
dividual stock of information. To communicate and 
compare facts and ideas is the great object of Farmers’ 
Clubs, the formation of which we have from time to 
time attempted to encourage, we fear, however, but 
with partial success. 
The present is just the time to organize these social 
meetings, and there need be nothing complex about 
the matter. Let the people of any rural neighborhood 
interested in the cultivation of the soil, meet at any 
convenient place, and choose a chairman and secreta¬ 
ry from their number—and they are supplied with 
officers for a start. Next, let them select a subject for 
discussion, and all so disposed give briefly their expe¬ 
rience—or any facts pertinent to the question before 
them—the Club is at work. They will soon learn what 
simple rules are necessary to the furtherance of the ob¬ 
jects in view, and can agree upon them as they are 
needed. Subjects should be selected for the next eve¬ 
ning, and it may be well to request one or more brief 
essays from persons competent to their preparation. 
No difficulty will be found in the selection of themes 
both interesting and profitable, in the culture of diffe¬ 
rent crops, the rearing and management of animals, 
the production and disposal of fruit, &c., for there are 
numberless questions brought before every farmer in 
which he is interested pecuniarily and should be men¬ 
tally, and which may be made profitable subjects of 
discussion. Here individual experience will be made 
common property, each imparting to the other whatev¬ 
er he has learned not generally known, or which may 
tend to confirm or refute received opinions. 
The sphere of the Club may sometimes be profitably 
extended by connecting a circulating library there¬ 
with, each member paying an initiation fee to be ap¬ 
plied to the purchase of agricultural books and period¬ 
icals of the higher class, for the use of the Club ; and 
in this way, at a small expense to each, a large 
amount of reading could be secured to the whole. The 
many valuable papers now published in different sec¬ 
tions, could thus be brought before a large circle of 
readers, and exert a still more powerful influence for 
progress in farming. Many important books would 
thus be brought within the reach of those who could 
not otherwise enjoy the privilege—arousing to new re¬ 
searches, and deepening the thirst for scientific know¬ 
ledge. 
An important end of the Farmers’ Club is the culti¬ 
vation of the social faculties by this union of those in¬ 
terested in agriculture for their mutual advancement. 
There is no class or profession which makes less use of 
the principle of association than the farming popula¬ 
tion, and none to which it can be of greater benefit. 
The knowledge of the best methods of cultivation and 
management upon the farm, is derived mainly from 
experience, and new facts are continually coming be¬ 
fore the observant agriculturist in every branch of his 
business. These facts are often of as great value to 
his neighbor as himself, and the neighbor on the other 
hand, may have something as important to return. 
This interchange of facts and opinions Is what gives 
the agricultural journal its value — in a narrower 
range, and bringing them home more closely and ef¬ 
fectively, perhaps, the Club tends to the same end. 
It tends also to unite and encourage the farming inte¬ 
rest—a mental profit arising from such interchange of 
information and courtesy. 
- *> - 
Raising New Fears. 
Messrs. Editors— I have now on hand a few choice 
winter pears, from which I am intending to save seeds 
for the purpose of raising new varieties. How ought 
I to manage these pears so as to ripen the seeds as 
perfectly as possible ? (1 ) 
How ought a seed bed to be prepared, in order to 
get as large a growth upon the seedlings as possible 1 
Will any of them probably grow large enough to make 
a scion in the spring of 1860? (2) 
Do you suppose it would be possible to fertilise the 
blossom of the quince with pollen from apple or pear 
blossoms, or to fertilize apple or pear blossoms with 
quince pollen ? (3 ) 
Can you tell me why it is that the Lewis pear is not 
more cultivated—from what the fruit-books say of it, 
I should suppose it would be one of the best market 
varieties, yet we rarely hear of it or see the fruit. (4.) 
Young Amateur. Worcester. 
(1.) When the pears are mature, the seeds will be 
perfected. (2.) Land which is naturally fertile, or 
which has been enriched by manure in previous years, 
will answer—if deeply dug or trenched, preserving its 
fertility near the top, it will be best. The seedlings 
will probably form a main shoot next year, which may 
be used as a graft in a large tree, or budding on a 
quince stock to induce earlier bearing. (3) The pro¬ 
posed cross-fertilization will not take place. (4 ) Al¬ 
though a good pear, its small size prevents it from be¬ 
ing popular in market—the former hardly compensat¬ 
ing for the latter. 
-»«•-- 
Treatment of FrostetS Feet. 
To cure the intolerable itching that follows frost-bit¬ 
ten toes, it is necessary to totally exclude the air from 
the affected part. If it is not accompanied with swell¬ 
ing, gum shellac, dissolved in alcohol, applied so as to 
form a complete coat, is the easiest remedy that I know 
of. It dries soon, and does not adhere to the stockings, 
and generally lasts until they are well. If the flesh 
becomes swollen and painful, plasters of good sticking 
salve are of great service, but if highly inflamed any 
mild poultice that will exclude the oxygen of the air 
from the diseased part, and keep it moist, allowing the 
recuperative powers of nature to do the rest. 
Burns and Scalds may be treated successfully in 
the same manner, i. h. 
-- 
Pickling Pork 
Boil the brine—skim off all the impurities, and pour 
it on hot. The salt strikes into the meat while hot in 
a short time, as the pores are enlarged by heat. It 
has beon tried by many different persons, and if the 
meat was in good order I have never heard of its spoil¬ 
ing. I. H. Long Island. 
-.* 
The receipts of the Michigan State Agricultural Fair, 
were $4,354.80. This is $1,300 more than last year. 
