FARMERS' CLUBS. One of the effects of the general out break of agricultural enthusiasm in England at the end of the 18th century was the formation of associations throughout the country for the promotion of improvements in farming. ' For the most part these were societies which made the holding of an annual show of livestock their primary object. Later on, in the early part of the 19th century, another form of association be came popular. Farmers' clubs were established, their main object being to hold meetings for the discussion of questions of agricul tural interest, chiefly those relating to the practice of farming. In those days no gathering of farmers—or indeed of any class f or any purpose involving prolonged attendance was conceivable unless a substantial meal formed part of the proceedings. It is indeed probable that the idea of Farmers' clubs originated in the "market ordinary." In the old leisurely times the farmers of a district who met week after week round the dinner table of the favoured inn would naturally discuss farming and these discus sions might in some cases take a more or less orderly and formal course.
That Farmers' clubs may have originated in some such way is suggested by the Faversham Farmers' club which was started in 1727 and still survives. This is frankly a dining club with a very limited membership and there does not appear to have been at any time any provision for discussion in its rules which were concerned only with the regulation of the dinner. The meal started at 2 o'clock and members were directed by the rules not to stay later than 8 o'clock in winter or 9 o'clock in summer. It may be assumed that during this 6 or 7 hours the members discussed, in formally, farming questions. It was during the second quarter of the 19th century that the formation of Farmers' clubs became general. One of the earliest was the West Herefordshire club formed in 1839. Others were formed about the same date at Harlesden (Norfolk), Ipswich and Probus (Cornwall). In 1847 it was stated that there were then 17o Farmers' clubs in the country.
The London Farmers' club was founded in 1842. It was in tended to provide a club house in London where members might meet to discuss agricultural questions and where also farmers visiting the metropolis might find the ordinary facilities and amenities of a social club. It first had quarters in the York hotel, Bridge street, Blackfriars, but in 1863 these had to be somewhat suddenly vacated as the hotel was acquired and pulled down to make a site for Ludgate Hill station. At that time the Salisbury Square hotel was about to be built and many members of the club took shares, it being hoped to secure a controlling interest. The intention was expressed in the name of the Company which built the hotel, it being called "The Agricultural Hotel Company, Ltd." The club never acquired control but accommodation for it was provided and in 1865 it took up its quarters there, remaining however then only ten years, but returning in 1886. In May 1903, the club removed to its present rooms at Whitehall court.
Whether as the result of these repeated removals or for other reasons the club for many years led a somewhat precarious exist ence with only a limited membership. In recent years it has steadily grown in membership and influence and has now nearly 1,50o members. But throughout its career the Farmers' club has maintained a high reputation for the papers read at its meetings.
They included subjects of timely interest dealing mainly with the practice, science and economics of farming. Among the subjects recently discussed have been "Intensified Grazing," "Open air Dairying," "Three times Milking," "Consumers' requirements for meat and how Farmers can supply them," "Modern Swine hus bandry," "Farm Valuations," "The Liming of land," etc. In its earlier days questions coming within the scope of agricultural politics were more often considered by the club. The subject of tenant right frequently engaged its attention, being discussed about a score of times in the first half century of its existence. As long ago as 1847 a deputation from the club waited on Lord John Russell to urge "the necessity of some legislative enactment for the establishment of a general system of tenant right." When, 3o years later, the first legislation was passed on the subject the club strongly protested against its permissive character. On the disas trous outbreak of cattle plague in 1865-66 the club took vigorous action to impress on the Government the urgency of taking effec tive measures to suppress it.
Local Farmers' clubs differed widely in size and importance. In some cases their activities were confined to holding periodical meetings, usually once a month during the winter, but in many cases a room was engaged at an inn in the market town for the exclusive use of members on market days. Comparatively few at tempted, like the London Farmers' Club, to provide a room or rooms for the use of members at all times. This type of club was practicable only when its centre was in a large town and it drew a part of its membership at least from the town and itf. immediate vicinity. (R. H. R.) United States.—Numerous local or State agricultural societies were founded in the United States in the late i8th and early 19th centuries, established, largely, by city professional men to improve farming practices. Such of those as survived came under the con trol of actual farmers. In the latter half of the 19th century various national farmers' societies were formed and attained a large membership (see AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES AND SHOWS).
Chiefly since 1 goo, many local farmers' clubs have been formed. Some of these exist for local co-operative action in purchasing, cow testing, and other activities, but most of them are social and educational. Some conduct programmes with discussions of agri culture. The wide circulation of farm periodicals, the extension work conducted by the Government, and the existence of nu merous organizations dealing with production matters cause most of these clubs, however, to lay stress rather on marketing prob lems, on current events of special agricultural interest, and, most extensively of all, on community improvement. Dramatic, musical, motion picture and literary programmes are given. There are occasional lectures by visiting speakers. A number of such com munity clubs have carried out successful movements for the erection of clubhouses for community purposes. Local branches of various farm organizations, especially the Grange, perform in some communities many of the functions of local farmers' clubs.
Among clubs Covering a wider territory the Saddle and Sirloin Club is most conspicuous. Founded in 1903, it comprises in its membership leaders in various branches of the livestock industry. Membership is by invitation. The club has quarters in the Stock Yard Inn, Chicago, where it maintains a livestock library and a portrait gallery of leaders in the industry. It conducts essay con tests for students in agricultural colleges and has stimulated the formation of clubs composed of students interested in animal husbandry.
Many organizations devoted to various breeds of livestock are known as clubs, such as the American Jersey Cattle, the American Yorkshire, and the American Plymouth Rock clubs. These, how ever, are essentially societies or associations, rather than clubs in the sense in which the word is commonly used.
A number of farm women's clubs also exist. Some of these are affiliated with the National Federation of Women's Clubs, while in some States they have federations of their own. In Ohio more than Ioo are thus federated. The programmes of farm women's clubs differ little from those of women's clubs generally. In many rural villages membership of the women's clubs is made up in part of farm women, in part of women residing in town.
Forty per cent of farm boys and girls at some time join 4-H clubs (the name signifying "head, hands, heart, health"), pro moted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and carry out proj ects in crop growing, livestock raising, canning, rural electrifica tion and other fields. The membership (1939) is 1,286,00o. Such organizations as the Older Youth clubs and the Future Farmers of America add 300,000. Boys' and girls' clubs have stimulated many communities to improved agricultural and domestic practices.
(N. A. C.)