Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-03
The County Grange the Business Unit.

The County Grange the Business Unit
We have always held that the county
should be the business unit Of the order
To undertake 20 do for the whole state,
whether Of mercantile or manufacturing
character, would only result in failure. Too
many diverse interests are at stake, the bulk
Of business is too great, aud cost and middle
men would be accumulated. Further for
the national grange to undertake business
scheme involving the interests Of million
aud half Of people, covering the wide
range Of wants aud diverse interests between
Maine and Texas, would be an utter impossi-
bility. We have urged that the national
and state oranges be reduced to merely exec
utive bureaus, so that an accumulation of
funds for business enterprises may be made
in each county. THIS removes all tempta-
ton for rings and the inscriptions, and
allows the money to remain in the control
of those who contribute it. They can best
assume the responsibility Of business enter
prises that may be practicable in a county
or district. but which would be folly it
undertaken by the state or national grange.
Let these questions be discussed and let us
hear from your oranges. Kansas Farmer.
The above doubtless holds true for the
west and the larger states Vermont, how
ever, is not larger than some of the grange
districts Of the west, and state agent can
and should do large proportion Of the
business Of the Vermont oranges but that is
no reason why the county grange should not
be unit in the order of oranges. All sue
cessful societies whether social, benevolent
or religious, have district or county organ
izations aud much of their success is due to
the frequent meetings of their county unions.
Witness the success of the Good Templars
and the churches by means of their county
unions.
The great need of the oranges Of New Eng
land, to-day, is the county grange. Let it
take that form which is thought most desir'
able by those who have faith in such al
organization and will labor for its success
whether it be fifth degree grange or q
county union aud meet, say once in two oil
three months at different points in the county
Appoint leading farmers to read essays upor
agricultural business or social topics, aud
their wives to read essays upon the house
hold and its duties, abors and wants, the gar
den aud social topics. Let a question b.
discussed by disputants appointed at pre-
vOus meeting, and by volunteers Discus
, the rules and laws Of the order and the
practical workings. No society has so wild
range OF topics for discussion as the grange
Arrange to facilitate the buying, selling
shipping and other business interests of tn
order, consolidate orders aud purchase 10 orig
, inal packages instead of by the ounce an
quarter Of pound. Let each grange repor
quarterly its membership, attenda nee, busi
, ness, discussions, social meetings etc, and le
+ the reports be discussed by the convention
4 Invite the state agent and state officers t
: attend land although ! do not know thei
4 opinion Of such meetings, will guarantees
. their attendance), and to address the meeting
f and report the progress Of the work through
out the state, and instruct in the laws an
a work Of the order. Have basket or tabl
,, picnic connected with the union wheueve
q convenient, and Vermont would receive fy
times the benefit from the grange movemeI
d she is receiving to-day, Such organization
. are working tremendously aud are Of grea
~ advantage to the oranges Of the west. ThrC
o weeks ago | sent postal card to the mas
Q ter of every grange in Washington county
a asking their grange to take action upon III
- suggestions have here made aud report l.
/ me if favorable, and have received b.
h one response Of any kind up to dat
> Worthy master w. ii. II. Mears,
:, Marshfeld, writes sour grange is yer
much in favor OF convention of some kline
at some convenient place"
That shows the right spirit, willing
Is accede to the will of the majority. Wh'
n say you, Patrons of Washington county; sha
u we have some kind of a county meeting bel
of regularly at convenient points in the county
O. If the patrons of any other county in whic
" have organized oranges desire such
40 county society and will take action in Il
os matter, will call the meeting and aid the
n as far as am able, to form county unio
- of whateyer kind they desire.
of d. H. BOypEN