The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-10-23
AGRICULTURAL.
what We pronose 10 DO.


Some think because they do not hear SO
much said about the grange that the interest
IN it is decreasing. Such persons forget
that loud talking is not always essential
where much solid work Is to be done. lib re-
gard to the grange, it is no evidence that the
deep intetest in regard to its success is not
felt because undemonstrative. In our first
successful efforts in securing desirable business
results, we may have been somewhat impru-
dent. Be that as it may the faithful members
OF the Order who have a just comprehension
of its educational, social and business features,
are now working like faithful laborers and as
1t becomes Husbandmen. We have not for
gotten, by any means. one of the specific OBJ
jectS OF the Order as set forth in the "Declar-
alton OF Purposes, to wit: ''that of developing
a better and higher manhood and womanhood
among ourselves,th the enhancing ofthe comforts
and attractions OF our homes and the strength
enlng OF our attachments to our pursuits
True, we justly placed much dependence
on securing financial benefits, for every dollar
saved, II rightly used can be made to minister
to the best elements of our natures. Virtue
and intelligence are, and must always remain,
the controlling influences of our Order, what
ever interested persons may say to the contra
~. 1t is the universal education of the people
that will give impetus to agricultural progress.
The Patrons of Husbandry propose to do
their share of this important work. No true
Patron need be ashamed of anything within
the gates of the grange unless it be his own
negligence in manfully doing his part of the
work.
If the members of the grange do not do
their duty, do not carry out the principles of
the Order, they cannot consistently blame
any one except themselves if they do not &C.
cupy the position in the social and intellectual
word TO which those who are following the
hrst and best occupation, are by right enti-
tled. Such result will never be realized
Without earnest longing, supplemented by
active, earnest work. If we, as members of
the grange, expect to surpass in general
information and refinement those engaged in
other professional duties, or in handling what
we produce, we must put in an earnest and
united effort in this direction, and we shall
as surely achieve success as we resolutely uu-
dertake it.-Grdnge Bulletin.
Sow Clean Seed.
Were the seeds of our common weeds as
large as pumpkin seeds, there would probably
be less ignorance manifested concerning the
origin of weeds in our gardens and cultivated
fields. Many people who are considered
matters, really believe that weeds spring up
from the ground without having been plant
ed by the parent weed; that weeds grow
without seeds. Well, perhaps they did once,
for it is still an open question, which is the
first. the plant or the seed. the hen or the
egg? But at present, we have no reason to
believe that field that is entirely free from
weed seeds will grow weeds until the seeds
are in some way planted there. The fact is,
we are too careless in our habits of observa-
ton. We look at the outside of things, or at
least, on but oneside, but we fail to look at a
subject in all its details. We SOW wheat and
chess seed from the same measure, aud yet as
the wheat is the larger, we look at that only,
leaving the chess seed unnoticed. So we
scatter millions of seeds, of the wild turnip
with our oass and barley, but do not notice it
till the yellow blossoms appear in the field.
With the excellent machines now made for
cleaning grain, there should be no excuse for
sowing any other seeds than those we wish
should grow. 1t will often pay to clean a
small quantity of grain at considerable eX-
pense, for the sake of having something fit to
raise seed from. Some of our best farmers
grow small patch of potatoes or corn, wheat,
or other grain, expressly for next years
planting, and in this way improve their va
rieties from year to year, and the practice
may be highly recommended. Now is the
time to secure wheat and rye for seeding
N. z. Farmer.