The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-01-09

On GranEers recognize this fact, but seek to
create the middle man from among them
! selves. The middle man must be educated to
| his business; that is, he must have acquired q
! thorough acquaintance with the details of the
business, and to be able TO understand the huc-
! tuations Of the market, in order to be reasona-
blv successful, and the middle man of the
Grange cannot hope to be able to obtain bet-
ter prices than the Independent middle man
| or grain buyer, and when the fluctuations are
| considered, and the loss incident to the busin-
ess are accounted for, the profits arising there
from will not enrich those for whom he ope-
rates But look at it as you will, middle men
are necessary, and the farmer is in & meas
urs himself middle man. He stood between
the consumer and the ground, the source Of
supply, and if naiddle men were to be dispsns-
ed with, who could tell how soon the people
might dispense with the farmer and 60 to
raising produce for themselves. Then what
would become Of farmers escupstion2 No,
all branches Of business are necessary to the
healthy development of society, and farmers
should stick to their own branch of business,
raise all they can; take papers; educate them
selves to the best advantage and buy in like
manner, Just as others do. Cooperation has
proven failure wherever tried. The princi-
pie may be good enough, but it has not met
with success in practice. One would think it
might work, and in England it is reported to
have worked successfully, but it has not here,
80 far as know in single instance. Per
haps in the future it may work better, but ex-
perience is against it. He had not expect
ed to say much, and would not take up their
attention longer.
Rev. Chittsnden being present was called
upon, and in respond said it was rather sim
guIar thing for him to be called upon to speak
to a farmers Club. He had seen the announce
ment that DR.. Ferguson was to speak and had
come in to hear him. Was really glad the DR..
had spoken, as it was always best to fulfil an
nouncements He did not know much about
practical farming, his appearauce would indl-
cate that. There was something about work
on farm which gave health and robust ener-
~ to man, restoring his vital force and repair
ing the waste suffered in other employments.
He had friend once, who having found his
health much impaired, and his mind some
what affected, had sold out his business and
gone to farming. It was the panacea he need
ed to repair the waste suffered, and his health
and energy returned to him. There was sone-
thing in the labor which brought man back
close to mother earth, that toned up the sys-
TEN and impaired robust health.
Sandusky County was fine county, but not
90 fully developed az some others. It was
good place to live, but he did not think that
farmers paid enough attention to fruit culture.
He thought they would find their profits bet
ter If they would cultivate the finer qualities
of fruit. The capacity was in the soil, aud it
only needed attention to yield its increase.
In regard to the organization known as
Grangers OF the Patrons Of Husbandry, he
knew but little. They seemed to have grown
from a general disposition to make war on
railroads as atPresent organized and OperRtsd-
Our railroad system was attracting attention
from all, and the cry Of the people was "no
more land grants to railroads." The people
we're waking up to this matter, and Oranges
seemed to have been one of the results. Consti-
tutionaI Conventions had even responded TO
the demands, and had adopted Constitutional
provision preventing certain officers elected by
the people. from accepting passes from Rail-
roads. But there was danger Of carrying
these demands too far. Railroads were nec-
essary to the public convenience and welfare,
and we could not do without them. Look at
the amount of travel accommodated, at the
vast amount of freight carried, at the speed
with which it is accomplished, and the con-
viction is instant that we cannot return to the
old methods. This war carried on to eztrem-
tiles will cripple operations. Upon the same
principle, it seems, the opposition to middle
men is based Farmers may dispense with
them, and the people may dispense with farm
era, but the result would not be satisfactory.
Mutual dependence is the rule Of life, and
anything going beyond this win produce a
condition not desirable.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Chittenden's re-
marks, some desultory speaking occurred, and
the question coming up as TO what subject
should be discussed at the next meeting, it
was consluded to consider Fruit Culture
The best manner of setting out fruit trees"
Also-'Farm work for February, care of stock
90" Club then adjourned to meet on satur-
day, February 7th, 1874.