vol. xxvi \|, .:Jl-//
INDIANAPOLIS, IND., OCT. 10,1891.
NO. 41
The Farmers' Beading Circle.
The executive committee in its endeavor
to select a list of bocks for the Farmers'
KeadiDg Circle, found it desirable to first
find answers to several radical questions.
They -were, first, what is the avowed object of this reading circle? The answer
seemed to be this: To promote the diffusion of useful knowledge and to improve
the social nature by furnishing topics for
rational conversation. Second, for whom
is the circle intended, who need it most?
The answer is, those who do not read habitually, nor thoughtfully. Third, how
can this large constituency be induced to
give a cordial welcome and support to this
movement? In discussing this last question the committee were quickly agreed
that any system likely to enlist general
supprot must be very elastic, hence it was
deemed unwise to submit at this time a
particular plan or requirement for the
work to be done in local circles. If the
best results are ever attained it will be by
some system tbat is found suitable for the
situation, as it now exists among Indiana
farmers. It is confidently hoped aiu expected that the right system will be developed by a year's preliminary work in
lines herein suggested. First, the committee recommends a free and intelligent
discussion of reading circles through the
columns of the agricultural papers of the
State, for in this way many helpful suggestions will be made. Second, it is recommended that The Farmers' Beading
Circle be one of the topics at each and
every Farmers' Institute to be held in the
State -this winter. Third, it is recommended that there be an earnest agitation
in favor of the re-establishment of township libraries, which in their inception
proved of inestimable value to the rural
population, especially as this is one of the
very few ways in which the country can
have advantages similar to those of the
town. Fourth, and most important, is
earnestly recommended the formation of
reading circles, if composed of only two
persons, and those in one family if necessary, which circle shall select a book, or
books, from the list below, and in addition to reading the book, make it the subject of some conversation overy day, and
also at stated times report to the central
circle at Indianapolis the progress of the
circle, its tendency and any other point of
interest. ■-
The following list of books is suggested,
not because the members of the committee consider them the best books ever published, nor because the committee approves every principle and every doctrine
found therein (which distinctly it does
not), but because the books are deemed
worthy to be read and because they cover
a great range of thought and are in various
styles of composition so that two or three
from the list may be chosen by a local circle and found suitable to the taste and the
needs of that circle.
The committee has been mnch hindered
in making an adequate and wholly satisfactory selection from the fact that it is not
possible to know what portion or* class of
farmers or the farmer's family will take
part in a reading circle; whether it will
be the young or the old, the unlearned or
the educated, the women or the men, the
wise or the foolish.
The committee has not considered itself
called upon to select a few books of preeminent worth which everybody ought
and must read, but rather conceives its
function, for the present, to be that of
courteously inviting all to a pleasant but
not pretentious feast, which it is hoped
will prove entertaining and instructive to
***ch guest, however varied the tastes.
These books will be furnished to members
of the Farmers' Reading Circle at the lowest possible price—a price list will be published very soon. Anyone may join the
circle by Bonding twenty-five cents to the
treasurer, and any local circle may join by
paying one dollar. Local circles are asked
to co-operate with the Central Circle at
Indianapolis, in order to increase the number of books ordered and in consequence
reduce the price.
1. Plant Life on the farm, by Masters, this book is written in plain style,
and shows the work done bv plants and
how they may be made to help man in
good farming.
2. Chemistry of the farm, by War-
ington, which shows the -relation of
chemistry to farming, and meets the
wants of one who does not wish to go into the study of the subject technically.
3. Cattle Breeding, by Warfield, while
this book is devoted to one class of animals, yet the principles that underline the
scientific breeding of all kinds of stock are
so well laid down as to serve as a rule in
all lines.
4. Black Beauty, by Miss Sewall, is a
book that has been widely read and greatly
praised. In a most charming style* it
teaches kindness to animals. It is the
story of a horse in England and his successive owners.
5. Nature's Serial Story, by E. F.
Koe, is a story that may be said to portray
the ideal farm life, and at the same time
convey valuable information on farm, topics.
6. Life and her Children, by Arabella
Buckley, one of the Chautauqua Series, and
intended to give a knowledge of the
world on the farm.
7. "Natural law in the Business
World, by Henry Wood, a plain, well
written little book on political economy
intended to point out the sure, continuous
and unerring operation of certain fixed
principals, clear and vigorous in language
and thought.
8. Highways of Literature, by
Pryde, a small book sold for 10 cents and
an admirable introduction to the study of
literature..
9. Ethic3 of the Dust, by Buskin,
who dedicates it "To the real little housewives, whose gentle listening and thoughtful questioning enabled me to write the
book."
10. In his Name, by E. E. Hale, published by the Chataqua Society, a historical story but primarily intended to expand the heait and soul.
11. Timothy Titcomb's letters, by J.
G. Holland, a familiar and attractive way
of speaking commonsenseupon the prominent questions which concern thoughtful men and women.
12. Snow-bound, by Whittier, the poet
of the farm, this may be had in cheap
form for 15 cents..
13. Public School Agriculture, by
Mills and Sbaw, is a manual highly in
structive and reliable.
14. Ben Hub, by General L9W Wallace,
historical novel well designed to give clear
perceptions of the people and the customs
at the time of Christ.
15. The Bible and the 19th Century,
a study for thoughtful truth seekers after
facts. *
16. "Don't," an admirable little book
which deals with conduct in the home
rather than in society, although intended
to familiarize one with polite usages.
17. A Long Look Ahead, a pleasing
story designed to give one clear perceptions, and help In forming a rational estimate of the comparative value of ends and
aims.
It is earnestly recommended that the
reports of the State Boaid of Agriculture
be obtained by every member of the
Farmers' Reading Circle,, as they contain
very valuable information to be found nowhere else—also the State Horticultural
report—also a subscription to "Dumb
Animals," published by the Humane Society at 25 cents per year, is especially recommended—many books on specialties
were considered. "Harris on Manures"
and "Strawberry Culture" by T. B. Terry
were highly endorsed but at this time a
complete list of such works cannot be submitted.
• Executive Committee Farmers' Reading
Circle:   Virginia C.  Meredith, chairman,
W. C. Latta,  Jas.  A.  Mount,  Laura  D.
Worley, Katherine Gallaway.
amendment.
The following amendment relating, to
membership was adopted by tbe committee:
Sec. 1. Local reading circles may
have club membership in the State
reading circle by paying one dollar a
year to the treasurer of the State circle.
Sec. 2. Each local circle shall report to
the State secretary immediately after its
organization, giving the name of the circle, the name and P. O. address of its secretary and the county where located.
The secretary of the State reading circle
shall number the local circles in border
as reported.
Written lor tbe Indiana Farmer.
How  to Make   a Reading Circle  Interesting*.
BY MRS. LAURA D. WORLEY.
Our reading circle is designed for no
especial class or sect, it is intended,, if
possible, to embrace every member of the
farmer'sjfamily. We must therefore aim
to give in lt a taste of all the social and
literary pleasures. It is not so much hard
work that makes the proportion of insanity greater among farmers' wives than any
other class, but the loneliness and monotony. It is this same want of variety and
amusement that sends the boy to the city
and the girls to the shops.
We don't need any political reading
r .atter in our circle, exc pt, perhaps, as
as'.udy of political economy, this will
perhaps explain why so many co-operative stores, granges, etc., are not always
successful. The daily papers, with the
literature sent out by the political parties,
with their speakers and organizers are
amply sufficient for this purpose. We
want a place where the entire family can
spend a pleasant evening, going home
with new ideas of music, science or art.
We don't want cooking nor crops, nor
butter making discussed, the Farmers'
Institutes are for those matters.
The world of travel, invention, history
and science are full of interest, and let us
draw on these sources for our program.
I think it best to have the circle meet at
private houses, because in every family
there are some members to whom the
circle must come; they can't go to it.
Then too, it gives the farmer a pleasure to
open his hospitable doors to his friends
and neighbors.
We should have a president, secretary
and a committee on program.
Aim to have, during the season, every
member, no matter how old or young contribute something for the general entertainment. Have some one, a different
person each time, selected to give a resume
of the current news of the day* Allow
ten or fifteen minutes for this.
Devote a night, now and then, to some
great writer. Call in outside talent occasionally. The colleges and school*, will
aid us when called on sending men who
will give their time gratituously, . only
charging expenses. Have a short sketch
of the life of two authors, a criticism on
his writings, recitations, readings and
tableaux, from his most popular books,
interspersed with music, instrumental
and vccal.
A little drama now. and then adds great
variety and interest to a reading circle,
and is a source of entertainment and social
culture for all who take part. The meetings for practice are of themselves a source
of amusement.  I remember that Mrs.
Burnett's play of Esmeralda, was a very
fiae one for a circle of young people in a
country neighborhood. They were impressed with the idea as never before that
often tbe truest happiness is found on a
farm. Yet at the same time it is necessary
for them to learn certain society forms
and etiquette. Dave Hardy, the honest
country lover with his modest, dignified
manly manners was as much an object of
interest to E-imeralda in a Paris drawing
room as among the hills of North Carolina.
The successful psople of our country
are largely culled from the farms and our
boys and girls will probably represent us
in the White House or at foreign courts,
let us therefore endeavor to give them the
ease and grace of manner our city cousin
thinks so necessary for their children.
Humane treatment of animals is also a
subject to be included in our circle. No
great or good man was ever unkind to
them. At the close of the meeting a social
half hour should be spent by the members
while the committee arrange next weeks'
program.
 « ♦ .
Wheat Test.
Editors Indiana Farmer:
One year ago I got samples of five different kinds of wheat, to try and find out
which variety is best. The varieties were
the American bronze, early red Clawson,
New Monarch, Ontario wonder and Jones'
Winter Fife. All were sown the same
day about the 10th of October, side by side
in drilled rows, the plats being 24 square
feet each. All were harvested the same
day, the first week in July, each kind being dead ripe. Ontario wonder took the
lead in yield, both in wheat and smut,
IK pints of wheat and 80 heads of black stink
ing smut, and about 15 large plump grains
of smut on the plat. American came next
in yield, producing a pint heaped full; no
smut. Next were early red Clawson, with
one head of smut, and Nero Monarch with
40 heads of smut; each giving a struck
pint measure of wheat. The so much
boasted Jones'Winter Fife was lowest In
yield, not giving a full pint and being of a
inferior quality, the kernels being badly
shrunken. Ontario wonder had stiffest
and longest straw. Clawson comes next.
I will test it again this year and if Jones'
Winter Fife won't do any better, I would
not have it on the place , although I believe if sown earlier it will do better. Any
good scholar can figure out how many
bushels to an acre the above named wheats
would make, each plat being 24 square
feet. I have the boss corn, had it in shock
the first week in September, being way
ahead of Jack Frost. I've tried it for four
years and I am well pleased with it both
in yield and quality.        J. Hammeble.
Delaware Co.
Knox County Flourishing.
Editors Indiana Farmer:
On the night of September 28th we had
a gcod rain, making all things look lovely.
We have been blessed this year with every
thing that the heart could desire, with
plenty for every body that will make an
effort to get it, and plenty money for all
purposes. This makes it hard on the
calamity shriekers who have been crying
that they were ground to death, by taxation. We havo no delinquent taxpayers
in our township, with everything commanding good prices. We have here a
good canning factory, two cheese factories,
with three coal shafts in operation. This
makes things very lively all the time.
A. P. C.
Freelandville.
Tramps entered the house of William
Dale, near Crawfordsville, while the family was away, and cooked .dinner. They
pillaged the house and then went to bed.
When the family returned in the evening
the tramps would not admit them, and
they were obliged to go to a neighbors to
sleep]