COMBINE, CONSOLIDATE, CONCENTRATE.

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shall receive the criminal of high degree, as the Bridewell does the thimble-rigger of the low dens of vice; when the statesman, bribed through Credit Mobiliers or with actual hard cash, to betray his constituents, shall be made to suffer the penalty of his crimes, as certainly and swiftly as does the sneak-thief, or the petty swindler at the street corners; when vice shall be thought hideous, because it is vice; when for proven corruption in office it shall be insisted that a

man shall be stripped of place and power, and buried politically, forever, without hope of resurrection; when all this is brought to pass, then shall we hope to see the beginning of the end. The raid on the railroads is but a trimming of the edges of the vast and horrid ulcer that is eating out the vitals of our free government-the ulcer whose real name is Corruption in Office!

CHAPTER VIII.

CONSTITUTION AND BUSINESS OF FARMERS' CLUBS.

PRELIMINARY STEPS IN ORGANIZATION.

Farmers in many communities are prevented from organizing Clubs for the reason that they are not conversant with the mode of organization. A few simple rules may suffice. Any number of individuals, male and female, (and in the organization of the social clubs it has been found necessary to perfect success that both sexes participate), may meet together and agree upon the time and place for meeting. It is also better, in summer, at least, that an afternoon be selected, and that the meeting be in the open air, when the weather is favorable.

It is also a pleasant adjunct to the social features to have a simple lunch provided, unless it be deemed preferable to make a pic-nic, each family furnishing its own basket of eatables. This latter plan certainly approves itself, as saving work to the hosts for the time being, and causing & subdivision of the labor and expense of the gathering, as well as adding to its enjoyability.

Until the machinery is well in motion, and the new..ess of the situation wears off, it is well to have the gatherings entirely informal and conversational; in fact, principally devoted to social chat upon the prospects of the crops, the

probable yield, prices, and arrangements for mutual assistance in gathering and marketing, and the discussion of some general plan of co-operation. If there be musical talent among the members, let there be singing by all means, with instrumental accompaniments, if possible. There will always be found some among the members who will be able, even at the outset, to deliver short extempore addresses, or to prepare short practical essays on subjects connected with agriculture.

AFTERWORKINGS.

Gradually, debates may be introduced, taking care always that the exercises be not too long-continued at any one time.

To vary this, the music and lunch will be in order. It will be found surprising how soon the genial influence will

spread, and how eager all who are within walking or riding distance of the meeting will be to join in the work.

Thus Clubs may be instituted in every school district in the land, accomplishing great present good, and exercising a powerful influence upon the rising generation. And it will not be long until every man, woman and child will look forward to the day of meeting as a holiday, and a time of social enjoyment and improvement.

The first thing, of course, after organizing, will be to form a constitution under which to work.

The following is a simple, and yet comprehensive, constitution. It has been adopted, with slight modifications, by some of the most energetic and influential clubs in the West. The Club should meet on a fixed day in each month at the residence of one or another of its members.

MODEL FOR A CONSTITUTION.

I. This organization shall be known as the Farmers' Club, No.

County

II. Its object shall be the improvement of its members in the theory and practice of Agriculture.

III. Its members, additional to its original number, shall consist of such persons as shall receive a two-thirds vote for admission, and pay the sum of one dollar, and such additional annual sum as may be annually fixed by a twothirds vote of the members.

IV. Its officers shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Librarian (who shall constitute the Executive Committee, etc.), and the Chairmen of Standing Committees. The officers shall all be elected annually.

V. Its meetings shall be held monthly, and at such other times and places as the President may deem necessary to promote the aims of the Society.

STANDING COMMITTEES, ORDER OF BUSINESS, ETC. 97

VI. This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting, said amendment having been proposed in writing at the next preceding meeting.

BY-LAWS.-1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the club and Executive Committee, and have power to call special meetings.

2. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall have the full powers of the President, and shall preside over the meeting during such absence or inability of the

President.

3. The Secretary shall record the proceedings of the Club, and conduct its correspondence.

4. The Treasurer shall receive all moneys, and shall pay out the same on the written order of the President.

5. Regular meetings shall be held on the second Saturday of each month.

STANDING COMMITTEES, ORDER OF BUSINESS, ETC. Standing committees take cognizance of all regular subjects, of which the most important (in the Northern States) may be named, as follows:

Soils and their improvement; Grasses, Pastures, and Meadows; Grains (Wheat, Oats, Corn, etc.) on Exhibition, and other farm crops; Fruits and Fruit Trees; Grass and Shrubbery; domestic animals; and library.

These may be grouped together, according to their importance, or each made the labor of a committee, three to five individuals constituting a committee.

The order of business may be as follows:

1. Reading minutes of last meeting.

2. Reports of Special Committees.

3. Unfinished Business.

4. New Business, Essays, Discussions, Report of Standing Committees.

5. Adjournment.