The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-01-01

| JdpS4S al a 4CICuG uULubSI Vi
which he reads to Patrons of that state
a severe lecture for their drowsiness
and doubling. Among other causes as
signed by him for lack of progress, is
, that too many were attracted to the
}, grange wholly by considerations of mer-
cenary character, expecting that through
it they would be enabled somehow to
get back on the morrow SIS for that 81
they invested yesterday. Disappointed
in their expectation of a large return
for their small investment, without
effort on their part, they have lost their
interest in the grange, and vote it a
failure.
The Northern Granger has the follow
ing on the subject of less work and more
profit " Farmers work too many hours
in day, too many days week, and too
many weeks in year. Nothing is
gained in the end by thus shaving the
life away. Though most farmers regard
it as necessary, yet it is through the
grange we learn better; and the sooner
we see about it the sooner shall ne see
that we might have done so before. Let
us get together in the grange, and, by
thinking little, devise some plan of
dividing our hard work with the sleek
and weel-fed middleman, and of sharing
a portion of his elegant leisure. Of
course he will object to this show of
generosity on our part, but we must
press our courtesy upon him until there
shall be something of a fair distribu-
tion of the good things of this world
between US. We do not demand extra
ordinary privileges; we demand justice.
We do not labor to pull others down
we do but labor to build ourselves up.
Six Thousand years of single-handed
efforts has failed to accomplish any sat
isfactory result in that direction, and
it is but the part of common wisdom to
try other means to Tighten our labors
and enhance our profits.
Since the Patrons of Husbandry came
out of the late political campaign with
the integrity of their order unimpaired
they should be and probably are more
than ever hopeful of realizing the great
est benefits that may flow from the Or
ganlzation. The time could not be said
to be wasted if the members met at
stated periods for no other purpose than
social converse. The meetings, however,
should be made to yield tangible re-
suits. This much is preliminary to
suggestion. It is desirable to know the
exact number of acres sowed to wheat
last fall. With one to three oranges in
each township it should not be diff
cult matter to collect accurate statistics
if each grange would appoint COM
mittee for that purpose. We will not
presume to suggest q plan, but hope
steps will be taken to gain the desired
information, and we ask the secretary
or some member of each grange to
furnish us the results for publication.
The statement should be comparative,
showing whether larger or smaller than
last year. From the best information
we can gain from inquiries we are salts
fed the breadth sown this season fully
equals that of last year, and the grow
ing crop is in excellent condition.
Leader, Springfield, No.
[ would like to offer few suggestions
on the transportation question, which is
so agitating the minds of the best men
in the country, particularly of the Pat
all agree with me that transportation
ought to be made subservient to the
public good. But the ways and means
I would use to make it SO, differ very
materially from any have seen sug-
gested. For an illustration, I will take
the case of opening the mouth Of the
Mississippi river. If this liz done by
the government it will cost not less than
ten millions of dollars, and lobbyists
will secure the job, not for the ablest
engineers, but for the parties who are
corrupt enough and willing to pay the
largest amount for securing the con-
tract. Are the patrons blind to such
corruption? Will they, after the expe-
rience we have had with the credit mo-
bilier swindle, still follow the old plan
| to secure internal improvements, and
thus open wide door for government
thieves? ] would suggest that all the
Patrons of the states directly interested
| in the matter, should form a stock COM
pany for the purpose. Let each elect
one director, and let these directors
elect a president, vice-president, secre-
tary and treasurer. Let this directory
go to congress and say, "We are the
representatives of company embracing
one million of taxpayers, representing
an actual capital of five Thousand mil
lions of dollars we ask you to give MS
| the JOB of opening the mouth of the
Mississippi river. We wish the govern
ment to issue TO us it's bonds to o GER
tain amount, payable at certain time,
with semi-annual interest in short, to
extend to us the same credit which has
been extended to the Pacific railroads. %
This Patrons directory will then be able
to employ the most competent engineers
and see the work done in the best inter-
ests of every citizen. In conclusion, I
would say, let all internal improvements
be made on this, or some similar plan,
and, my word for it, the work will be
done quicker, better and with far less
expense to the ax-payers.-Cor. Rural
World.
Kitchen Gardening.
Asporagus.-Cover the bed with
good dressing of coarse manure, straw
or litter. Burn the seeds if they are