The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1877-12-27


that the American farmer is ready to
take hold of cooperation at the point
reached by the English co-operatives
after thirty years teaching and expe-
rience.
am much interested in and in IA
vor of cooperation, and believe that
the Rochdale plan is the best yet pre-
scented to our order; but think the
same line of policy will have to. be
pursued in its establishment in this,
as was practiced in the old country,
where the plan originated. That is,
commence the work in our subordi-
nate Oranges. I'm England it was
commenced among the operatives
Inform our membership fully as 10
the plan proposed and results aimed
at. Give them well defined plan of
operation, and thereby induce them to
try it, on small scale, which. if sue
cessful, will induce the organization
of other associations of like character.
When sufficient number of retail as
soclations shall have been established
to make it profitable for them to con-
centrate their trade on a wholesale
house, in the profits in which they are
rives will there be any necessity for
the establishment of such house.
Profitable, hence successful co-ope-
ration in the purchase of our needed
supplies and the safe of our surplus
products, can be counted upon with
as much certainty, in localities where
the following questions can be ans
wered in the affirmative, as any ven-
ture in ordinary commercial transac
lions, to wit: Have you the numer-
ical strength, on whose trade you can
depend, sufficient to support the bust
ness you propose to engage in If
SO. can your customers command the
cash at the time of making their pur-
chases!
2. Can you secure the amount of
paid up stock, sufficient to guarantee
a capital ample to conduct the bust
ness you propose to establish
8. Can you secure the services Of an
individual to conduct your business
possessing the requisite qualifications
of honesty. integrity and business
ability With the addition of expe-
riencc if possible.
Having answered all these questions
in the affirmative, conference.-the on
ly remaining elements essential to
success-will be secured, and | think
you are ready to commence the work
of organization. Then adhere strictly
to the Rochdale plan, and have no
fears as to the results.
In this connection, permit me 10
commend to your thoughtful consid-
Grafton, the propriety of requesting
those who are not members of our or
der, but consumers of our products, to
become associated with us in our
business relations. This, it seems to
me. would be found to be profitable
to both parties and III entire harmony
with our Declaration of Purposes'in
which we declare that "we desire to
bring producer and consumer, farmer
and manufacturer, into the most di-
rect and friendly relations possible. F"
In view of the fact that success in
agriculture and stock raising depends
largely upon the amount of informa-
ton gained from each other, as to our
success and failures, and the man EN-.
ployed in bringing about the former,
and The causes and conditions to
which can be attributed the latter.
deem it of Importance that some gen.
eral plan should be devised, at this
session, for bringing about, among
our membership, general discussion
on all questions relating to those sub
jects in which our agricultural popu
lation have so great and so common
an interest.
Information of the simple fact thai
any one individual has been uccess
fui in the production and marketing
of any given crop. or in the rearing
and sale of stock, without giving, il
connection with that information, the
means employed in its production
sale. etc, is of no practical value tc
the public. Means employed, as wei
as results arrived at, should be givei
in detail.
therefore very respectfully rec
ommend the appointment of a com
mittee, whose duty it shall be to pre-
pare and submit to this body a serie!
of questions suited to the demands Of
the different seasons of the year, DIN
Guiding the house and the home q,
well as the farm and the field" ant
that this report, after having beer
|
rated in the proceedings of the Grang,
and submitted to the subordinate
:, Oranges for action. This series
should, in my judgment, be composed
of such questions as relate to the kin(
of soil suited to the production of thu
several crops grown in this State, anC
the best time and manner of prepar
ing the ground for the same. Tn,
time for planting and the better modes
of cultivation, harvesting, marketing
etc. The relative value of difleren
crops and the relative profits arising
from grain growing as compared
with stock raising. The more profit
able kinds of stock and valuable vari
) cites of the different kinds of grain
The cheapest, best and most profitabl
manner of handling, sheltering, feed
ing and fitting for the market an,
marketing different kinds of stock
The kinds of fruit and ornamental
tress, vines, ETC., best suited to GU
climate, and the time and manner O
= transplanting, cultivating, prunin!
and protecting the same, also sucl
questions as slate 10 household affair
and domestic economy.
, When we assume the duties of mas
ter of this Grange, one year ago, w
! found our State organization indebt
ed to the National Grange in the sun
, OF about ST 200, also large amount o
outstanding orders unprovided for
, no money in our treasury, and our al
nual expenses in excess of our receipts
Retrenchment was commenced a
;; our last session, by the reduction @
salaries of officers, followed by a gen
eral system of economy, adopted AM
carried out by those having the man
agement of our financial affairs, re
, sulting in the following:
Total receipts during the year. :. SO ,673
1 Total expenses during the year. go. 1854 G
| Balance over all expenses S $50 /
/ For details as to receipts and dis
bulsements | refer you to the report
of our worthy secretary.
AS no reports are required of on
State agent, except the annual report
made to this body, am not in pos
session of sufficient information t
warrant me in making any sugges
lions or recommendation as to tn
) future management of this importan
branch of our organization, and would
, therefore very respectfully refer yol
: to the report Of our worthy agent TO
$ all needed information relating t.
r this subject.
The secretaries of the fire and lif
: insurance associations will submit Il
you their annual reports, giving in de
tail all the information necessary TO {
. correct understanding of the practica
workings Of their respective associa
: iions.
For information as to receipts am
expenditures during the year, and III
, oanaral financial condition of III