62 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
Feb. 
FARMERS’ CLUBS. 
There is nothing like discussion to bring out the va¬ 
rious points of a subject, and present each in its true 
light ; hence we do not know of a better means of elici¬ 
ting facts in relation to the business of farming, and 
thus advancing the interests of those engaged in it, than 
the formation of neighborhood associations or “ Far¬ 
mers’ Clubs.” These associations have become very 
common in England, and have been formed to some ex¬ 
tent in this country, and wherever known, their great 
usefulness is admitted. Under proper regulations, they 
constitute at once the means of acquiring useful know¬ 
ledge, and of social enjoyment. 
The form or plan of association, may be very simple. 
The farmers of a certain township or district agree 
to meet once a week, or once in two weeks, during 
the winter season, at each others’ houses, in rotation, 
for the discussion of questions relating to rural manage¬ 
ment. Perhaps the following might answer: 
Article I. The subscribers agree to form an As¬ 
sociation under the name of-Farmers’ Club, the 
object of which is to improve ourselves in knowledge 
^elating to Agriculture, Horticulture, and Husbandry 
generally. 
Art. II. The officers of the Association shall be a 
President, whose duty it shall be to preside at the 
meetings, and a Secretary who shall keep such records 
and minutes as the Association shall direct. 
Art. III. The officers shall be elected by ballot, and 
shall hold their places till others are chosen in their 
stead. 
Art IV. During the months of-, the Associa¬ 
tion shall meet at such times as may be agreed on by 
a majority of the members, for the discussion of ques¬ 
tions. The meetings shall be held in rotation, at the 
houses of the respective members; commencing and pro¬ 
ceeding in alphabetical order. 
Art. Y. Questions shall be offered in writing, and 
such shall be chosen for discussion, as the Association 
may agree on by vote, at any regular meeting. 
Art. VI. This constitution is subject to amendment 
or alteration as a majority of all the members shall 
direct. 
The following might form some of the questions for 
discussion. In all cases it should be understood that 
questions have particular reference to the district where 
the association is located. 
What course of farming is most profitable for the dif¬ 
ferent soils of the district ? 
What is the best mode of cultivating Indian corn ? 
The same question as applicable to other crops grown 
in the district. 
What is the best mode of managing and applying 
barn-yard or animal manures ? What are the best 
means of increasing the supply of manures ? The best 
modes of using peat or u muck?” Whether by mixing 
with animal manures, urine, ashes, lime, or any other 
substances? and the effects on various crops as com¬ 
pared with common animal manures? 
These are but few of the questions which might be 
discussed with advantage. Others will of course be 
suggested. They may be offered at any time, and tiie 
secretary should keep a list of them, which may be read 
before the association whenever called for. 
It is the practice in England, and we think it might 
be well adopted here, to pass a resolution at the close 
of each discussion, expressive of the views of the sub¬ 
ject which has been under consideration. This gives 
the discussions a weight and character which entities' 
them to notice. For instance, suppose the question to 
have been —“ What is the best mode of rearing and 
fattening swine?” the following might be adopted: 
Resolved, That in this district the most profitable 
mode of rearing swine and making pork, is to feed the 
pigs freely from the first with dairy-slops, (that is, 
skimmed milk or whey .) if it can be had on the farm, 
giving them a run on clover or grass through the sum¬ 
mer, and in the fall fatten them in clean warm pens, 
with a mixed food of potatoes, apples, or pumpkins, 
with meal of Indian corn, barley, or peas and oats, 
cooked —the pigs to be slaughtered when from eight to 
ten months old. 
The discussions and decisions of associations formed 
on this plan, would form the most interesting matter 
for agricultural periodicals: and we shall be pleased to 
receive reports of clubs fo> insertion in our columns. 
Confident of the utility of such organizations, we trust 
no time will be lost in getting them up, in all parts of 
the country. Now is the time—while out-door opera¬ 
tions are principally suspended, to prepare for action— 
for that action which shall be most effective. Improve 
the present season in the acquirement of knowledge; 
and under all the lights and advantages which that con¬ 
fers, be ready to commence business at the right time 
and in the right way. 
BEES, BEE-HIVES, AND BEE-MOTHS. 
Mr. Francis Clarke, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, sends- 
us the following description of a bee-hive which he has 
constructed:— 
“ I place two hives side by side, both precisely alike; 
dimensions, say, front 22 inches, back 19 inches in 
height, by 6 $ inches in width inside, with a chamber 
6 inches wide for a drawer; this leaves the main port 
of the hive 15 inches front, 12 inches back. The 
two hives communicate with each other by a hole 3 
inches in diameter, 6 inches below the under side of the 
chamber floor; both are set together upon a floor-board 
inclining 3 inches from front to back; the floor-board 
has a 4 inch square wire screen under each hive, with 
a groove 3 inches long by three-eights in., for the ad¬ 
mission of the bees. The hives are connected together 
by hooks and staples, and the top covers the whole. 
The object you will see is to separate the hives at a 
proper time, and place an empty one by the side of each 
full one. saving the necessity of watching them for natu¬ 
ral swarms.” 
Mr. Clarke informs us that when he commenced 
keeping bees, in the spring of 1846, he was told that 
the bee-moth had never been known in that region; but 
he found them very plenty and troublesome. Mr. C„ 
mentions that it has been asserted by Mr. V/eeks in a 
communication to the Cultivator, in 1843, that the egg 
of the moth will not hatch where white-wash is used; 
and Mr. C. wishes to know whether Mr. W.’s experi¬ 
ence since 1843 to this time, proves the efficaciousness 
of white-wash in this respect. Mr. C. is desirous of 
knowing the best plan of preventing the ravages of. the 
bee-moth, and we should be obliged if our correspon¬ 
dents will furnish suggestions on this point. As to the 
best plan for an Apiary, for which Mr. C. inquires, we 
have seen nothing which we think equal to the plan, 
mentioned in our last volume, page 305, and also allu* 
ded to in our last number. 
