The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-04-16
Frs-a he Virginia Granger
The Orange a. IL Appears TO al
Tnsider.

tnsIaer.
I'VE shall advance the cause of
education among ourselves, and for
our CD ,ldren, by all just means with
in CIR power. We especially advo-
cate for our agricultural colleges
that practical agriculture, domestic
science and all the arts which adorn
the home. be taught in their course
of study
When we look around Us and
watch the progre Of events-when
we remember that we live in an
advanced age. an age Of improve
ment and progress-when we see
the members Of other professions
putting forth the most earnest ef-
forts to further their interest. i'm
prove their condition. and elevate
their class to the highest point, IN
less ve do likewise we may rest as
sured that We viii be left far behind
in the race of life. and win remain
..hewers Of wood and drawers Of
water"
TIE Grange has educated the
members Up TO that point that they
are convinced Of the importance Of
education 10 the agTiculturists-
that While very much depends upon
the practice of the ant, even more.
depends upon the future hopes and
prospects Of scientific agriculture.
The members OF the Order have
harmed enough TO know that there
are but few Of the practical farmers.
who have any acquaintance with
that when has been discovered in
relation 10 the principles of the all
important art which they practice
every dav. They work. not accord
ing to principle. :but by routine.
They feel that they are in great
measure ensIaved by old methods.
that they are inclined to cling to old
modes of doing things. that they
have a strong attachment for what
are termed conservative principles.
and hence are not much disposed 70
adopt new netho3s or accept
changes. however important and
necessary. They have a strong at
tachment. amounting in some cases
to venerafion. for the methods of
culture handed down from their far
theirs. and they are exceedingly
slow TO believe in any which NAV
differ from these. and when con-
WINGED of the superiority of the new
over the old, they with great relJc-
lance adopt them.
The Grange. however, has done
much to break down the barrier 70
progress and advancement; new
views are inspired. fresh spirit Is
awakened and IS being felt all over
the country; old prejudices are fast
dying out, and the tIlIers of the soil
are beginning 10 feel the necessity
for education, and are reaching out
in search of in formation, and grow
ing eager for improvement
The Grange impressed the truth
upon the minds of the members
that for 40 these many long. weary
wears" neither State nor National
Government had done anything for
the encouragement of experimental
agriculture, that the diffusion of
practical agricultural knowledge
had been overlooked, CT regarded as
Of so little importance as 10 be made
subordinate 10 the other subjects
which sink into the most utter in
significance when compared with
this. upon which depends the
wealth and prosperity OF the Peopls
and the country.
True, we had a so called agrcul
tural bureau st the capital or the ma
ton, II was no. conducted IN the in
terest Of agriculture. but was used
for partisan political purposes, and
the efforts put forth for the intro
duction of new industries, and the
general improvement of the method
OF agriculture were of the most
and Insignificant charac-
ter.
The State had done literally
nothing for this important in
dustry before the organization of
the Grange. And no schools had
been instituted for the benefit
OF the agriculturists, while for the
other important classes special
schools had been estabIished-the
elements of the various branches of
knowledge which would he called
into requisition in daily life were
taught. and a better and more en-
lighted class of men were thus
trained up. The farmer was left to
plod along as best ne could, cropping
his way in darkness, doubt and I'M
certainty
A different state of things now
exists. The minds of the great
mass of the people, through the
Grange organization, have been
aroused, and manifestations of the
felt in this important matter
are to be witnessed in every section
Of the country. There is a general,
almost universal, demand that this
important branch of industry be
fostered by wise legislation on the
part of the general State govern
the Department of
Agriculture at the seat of govern
nent shall be advanced to higher
position and the Commissioner
shall be made a cabinet officer.
A Agricultural schools and colleges,
n name, have been established and
he people are unwilling that they