Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-12-31


adopted by the grange, which will probably
work admirably in some sections Of the coun.
try, but our interests are so varied that a
uniform system cannot be carried out sue
cessfully 10 all sections OF the country.
Experience teaches ne that each state grange
should aud must regulate these matters to
suit the wants and requirements Of its peo.
pie. To escape the exactions Of capital and
to get rid of burdensome systems Of business
by which the people are deprived Of their
just profits, Il has naturally occurred that
Patrons Of Husbandry have felt called upon
to study out and place in operation such a
system Of insurance as would be likely to
meet the evils indicated, aud, so far as in
their power, to remedy them. A committee
appointed during the annual session OF this
grange held at Montpelier, in the month Of
December last, submitted a report, which
was adopted, requiring your executive COM
mittee to ascertain all particulars possible 10
regard to the plans Of insurance adopted by
our order in the West and compare the
same with the cost Of iusuring in our already
stock companies. That Patrons can insure
their own property at less rates than they
now pay only requires an experiment to
prove the assertion. What is needed at this
time are proper rules and regulations, and
men to attend to the business
| Education.
The question Of educating young men for
the farm is attracting considerable attention
IN our state. In this connection let me call
to your mind the instruction given you at
the time Of your installation at will be a
prominent part Of your duty, both 10 and
out Of the grange, TO encourage the education
Of the children within the limits of your
jurisdiction to see that they are not ban.
ished at the tender age Of childhood from
the. school Of early instruction to the labors
Of the fields, before the mind has received
that gentle care aud training which enlivens,
explains and digufes labor" The master
Of every grange has asseuted to, aud APP
proved Of the above charge. 1t is made a
part Of his duty to see that the young farm
ers arc properly educated for their duties.
The young farmer should have such cduca-
tional advantages as will enable him to work
old aud Worn.out lands and get romunerative
crops from them. Unless this is done he
will leave the scenes Of his childhood, and
seek fairer lands. He should have sufficient
knowledge of mineralogy and geology to
understand the composition of the soil he is
to cultivate. He should have such knowl-
edge of chemistry as would enable him to
ascertain what plant-food his soil required
to make it produce remunerative crops. He
should have practical knowledge, so that he
could till his lands when in proper condition.
He should also have that physical develop.
ment only acquired by labor upon the farm.
1t is well known that the young men edu-
Gated at eur schools and colleges do not
settle down upon our farms, but 20 into the
professions or emigrate to other states, clearly
proving that our colleges are educating our
boys for other pursuits than agriculture,
Are we to be taught that our calling is too
degrading for men Of education aud culture
to adopt2 Is ii our duty to let the PROBES.
sions recruit their ranks from our sons? We
cannot afford to allow this state of things to
always exist. 1t is our duty to devise some
plan whereby our sons may receive thor.
ough. practical education, which will fit them
for all the stations which they may be called
to fill, and at the same time create IN them
love for our noble calling. Such a school
can be established and sustained in Vermont
"a school where the Sous or the poorest
farmer may secure practical education aud
pay proper proportion of the expense IL
labor u school where the students could
work upon the farm and secure that physical
development now so often sought after in thu
gymnasium. base ball aud boating clubs
encouraged by the institutions of learning at
the present time. The farmers of Vermont
are abundantly able to create aud endov
such a school, and the sooner we wake to it:
necessity the better it will be for US and oul
: children. IL it our duty to stand idly BY
and see our children leaving us? Shall VI
quietly submit to have our lands cultivated
by aliens, aud their children gather arounC
our fires aud hearthstones ? God forbid
Let us study out the proper remedy anC
apply it before it is too late
The board OF agriculture, manufacture
and mining, established by the state 10 1870
needs the fostering care Of the agriculturist
The meetings Of the board held in diiferen
parts Of the state have called together tn
farmers of the state. The various topic
relating to the life and duties upon the farm
have been ably discussed Papers upor
stock raising, wool growing, the dairy, hort
culture, sugar making, farm buildings, otc
have been read aud compiled into report
which are valuable additions to the agricul
tural literature Of the day. These meeting
are educational. The exchange OF ideas
the experience Of practical farmers give
upon the various subjects which came beior
the board, the intelligent illustrations by tn
members, make these meetings Of great prat
teal value. 1t is your duty to aid an
assist the board in its endeavors TO ele, at
the condition Of the farmer. See to
that this appropriation. the first and onl,
one from the state for the benefit OF tn
great majority sf taxpayers, is not take
from us.
The Feasibility of a state Fair.
, The question Of the feasibility of holdin
a state fair under the auspices of the Pat
. rons of Husbandry has been discussed b
members Of the order during the past year
: That we have the facilities for holding sue
: a fair and making it a success, all agree
. that such fair should be held many ar
T anxious. Should the order take hold Of tn
matter, they would work it upon just au
4 equitable principles, aud their fair would b
: an honor to them, and n credit to the STATE
: Such fair would bring together a large
; class Of exhibitors than usual, and such a
! exposition would be oil more real value I
. the farmers than seven years Of horse trot
The question Of holding county fairs will b
$ considered by the Patrons in the sewers
Q counties in the state, but this question OF
i state fair is perfectly legitimate for you I
: consider. 1t is for you to determine sha
!, we follow in the wake Of others, or shall W
b make an effort to do for ourselves
s Minerals and Products OF the Soil.
3 At the eighth annual session of the nj
0 tional grange tho following resolution wa
q adopted "That each member of the nationI