Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-05-19
GRANGER'S DEPARTMENT.

my The stockholders of the Duf-
fields Grange Store will meet Saturday,
June 2nd, at 9 o'clock, A. NJ. All will
please be present in person or by proxy.
p9 The County Council will meet
at Wiltshire's School House, Saturday,
Nav 26th, at 10 o'clock A. NJ. An ad-
dress by Col. Baylor is expected.
Cooperation ard direct trade between
the producer and consumer, in all
branches of trade, will tighten cost both
ways, and add benefit to each. Q.
1t is said that the American farmer
needs one virtue-THRIFT-toc complete
his refund of triumph. The growth of
two blades of grass or two stalks of
grain where there was but one, should
be bis aim. Cutting down trees and
firing the praires was the beginning OF
our industries, now we should plant
trees and cover the fields with clover,
to bind up the wounds of the soil. u
Enlightened Agriculture the Ba-
sis of all Prosperity.
The following is an extract OF an ad-
dress delivered by DIR. Scott OF Mary
land. to the Anne Arundel County, Nd,
Grange
Tn conclusion, must remind you
the basis of prosperity OF country Is
agriculture Successful agriculture not
only depends upon the fertility OF the
soil, but the skill and intelligence of
the farmer; he must learn to apply the
principles of science to his daily work
he must get out of the deep rut he has
been traveling-he must shake off the
shackles with which tradition and re-
verence for authority have bound him
he must learn to think for himself. To
do this he must seek knowledge
He must admit that it is possible that
the old system may be wrong, or at
least submit the new to calm and
careful examination.
Agricultural schools and colleges
have done some good, but not near as
much as was expected. Agricultural
papers do much TO disseminate the ex-
perience of farmers. But tohat is most
needed is an experimental farm under
The control Of men Of science and Prac-
fical skill
But the farmer may do much for
himself by keeping an account Of the
variation of seasons, the temperature OF
the atmosphere and his soil, the num-
Der of rainy days, the annual rainfall,
the kind of crops best suited to his
land, the effect of different manures
upon his crops, &c
In the manner an immense number
of facts may be collected for his future
guidance. Publish your experience.
Let there be frequent Interchange OF
opinion and of the results of experience
among the farmers This brings me TO
the consideration of FARMERS GRANGE.
/ am much inclined to think that the
institution of the grange has its origin
i'll the small crops and small profits OF
the farmer
As long as he made fine crops, he
only grumbled 4 little when he received
his commission merchants account,
Item drayage, item storage, item bags
furnished, item wheat in bad order, item
interest on money advanced, item COM
mission. But when the items left him
no balance, or in debt, he began TO
think it time to dispence with them;
and hence the grange. But it will be
small economy only to save. The great
object to the grange should be to in
crease your crops. Properly conducted,
immense benefit must accrue; not only
by purchasing your supplies cheaper,
aud reliable manures, but by discussion
at your meetings among the members.
This will compel those who discuss, to
read, study and observe.
Invite the delivery of lectures; this
will stir you up-unsettle you-for the
best thing TO happen to the farmers is
TO unsettle him, and then to settle him.
You will often find amusement in criti-
Ching the bluuders OF the lecturer
albeit, no farmer himself, undertaking
TO teach the old practical farmer. You
will often be able TO correct his errors
and tell him that for all his botany, that
wheat does branch, and if it did not
you would never raise half crop, as
halt the wheat sown either does not
come up, or perishes after it terminates.
The grange will cultivate good feeling
and neighborly kindness, and serve to
diSsipate prejudice and error.
Finally, if | have said anything to
rouse in you the spirit of enquiry; if |
have done anything to unSettle you; if |
have said anything to set your brains to
work, to induce you to think, I shall be
satisfied that l have done good work.
God speed you in your efforts to adj
vance the interest of agriculture, and to
elevate the moral and intellectual stand
ard of the farmer.
Coal Ashes.
The only fertility contained in coal