The Portland daily press., 1886-12-22

Conn. :. Z i
Penn. g Is
There should be a healthy and well bal
anced proportion Of population divided be-
tween agricultural and other industrial pur-
suits Tor national prosperity. We find that
Great Britain has in population Of 1000
only 40 engaged In agriculture to 545 en-
gagged in other industries. This dispropor-
tlon In many ways affects agriculture lnfuri-
ously. Italy shows different side. and for
GIG engaged in agricultural pursuits there
are only 226 engaged in other industrial YO-
catlons. Agriculture Is not profitable In
that country. In the United States we find
473 in every thousand Of its inhabitants en-
gagged In agriculture, and IA persons en-
pl0yed in factories, shops, Mines &C., and
we are occupying medium position, and in
thls respect ours Is well balanced country.
AGRICULTURAL AIMS.
There has been much complaint in many
OF the States OF the Union Of unjust bur
dens which rest upon agriculture on account
OF the lack OF legislative and Congressional
action. We sympathize with those who I'M
justly suffel, but 1t appears to me that in our
own State the farmers have no reason for
complaint. Our State has made generous
appropriations for our Agricultural College,
Board Of Agriculture Agricultural Societies.
Experimental Station, and has always given
such bounties and protection by special leg
islation as the interests of the farmers have
demanded. AS long as our organization con-
tlnues as large and intelligent and as well
disciplined as now, there can be no fear but
that the State will listen to every reasonable
demand OF agriculture. Our railroad com
panles have been liberal to the public. Our
members OF Congress voted In favor Of the
oleomargarine bill. They have favored tax
ing spurious dairy compounds. They have
advocated the protection of our agricultural
productions from foreign competition. 1T Is
the desire Of the Patrons Of Husbandry that
they should favor the provisions of the Rea-
gan bill as far as it is intended to regulate
the rates OF transportation in the interests Of
the great public. 1t Is the desire of our or
ganlzation that the provision of the Hatch
OH olii should become law. which will give to
the State and our Agricultural College the
benefits OF an experimental station at ma
tlonal expense, thus relieving us Of the bur-
den OF our present appropriation. 1t Is also
our wish that the Commissioner Of Agricul-
ture should be promoted and recognized as a
member Of the Cabinet of the President. To
the end that the interests of agriculture
should receive all the protection and aid il
deserves from our Congress and Legislature,
we invite the special consideration and in
fluence of the Patrons of Husbandry of our
State. The farmers of Maine are personally
interested In the immediate passage of the
Hatch bill, which win give to our State
$4,000 annually from the National Treasu-
ny Tor the maintenance Of our agricultural
experimental station. | call upon the Pat
rons OF Husbandry OF our State to impress
upon our members Of Congress the impor-
lance OF action and speedy work that we
may have more means to develop the advan-
tages of this most beneficial institution.
Agriculture has always had, and should
continue 70 have, controlling influence over
the varied business pursuits of the great body
polite. The waters Of the great ocean fur
nish the true level of all the bays and inlets
when form a part OF Its design and extended
usefulness, so agriculture, being the original
source OF All productive industries Is the
power which regulates labor and furnishes
the material basis for prosperity, and fortu-
nately, representing the ocean Of labor, life
and business relations through it and by 1t
all the interests of the country should and do
ind one common level. If Agriculture takes
the lead OF all other vocatiOns feeds and
clothes the nation, gives life and material to
the manufacturer, and business to the sails
Of commerce, those who follow 1t should be
proud Of such leading position, and do all
IN their power to dignity and elevate It.
lnere are many ways which III followed will
make farming more profitable. 1t should be
made more attractive. The hermit lives at
the foot Of the ladder. He Is Isolated, unso-
eial and repulsive. He subsists on the natu-
raj productions Of the soil, and his coverings
ana clothing are OF a primitive character. 1t
is long distance from his cave or hut to the
surroundings OF enlightened civilization,
such as you find In cultured society," Ali
along the line, from the hermit until you
reach an educated and refined family, you
VIII ind different grades Of happiness, intel
ngence and enlightenment. In order to
reach the top of the ladder besutify your
homes with shade trees, vines and flowers,
remember the day appointed by the Grange
as Arbor Day, so that when the farm labors
OF the day are finished the farmer can sit un-
der the shade OF the extended branches Of
the trees which he has planted, midst the
beauty and perfume Of flowers from the gar
den which his wife and daughters have
watched and watered with faithful care; and
thus surrounded by family of healthy boys
and bright girls, the farmers home can be
made paradise. Our fathers from neees-
slty were obliged to build the log cabin far
away from any neighbor. His accompani-
ments were his axe, his gun and his dog, and
when the smoke rose from the rude chimney
and curled over the frozen hills il went up
alone into lonely sky. The days of lonli-
ness have passed away by the Introduction
Of populous neighborhoOds, and however
Isolated farmers family may live he can
find society, friendship, generous hands and
warm hearts at the gate Of the subordinate
fully said that IAN unsocial life begets sell
fshness, egotism and envy, and that vanity
which vaunteth itself, and way down IN the
deep recesses Of the heart, unsocial men and
women despise joyous and happy people, be-
cause they envy them"
INFLUENCE OF THE GRANGE.
The Grange weekly meetings send warm
current Of s0ciability and friendship into the
family, without which life would be a blank
The farmer has peculiar advantages for mem
tai study and social enjoyment during the
months OF snow and storms of winter, which
belong to no other vocation. Ii is his period
OF rest and comfort. The Grange should
flourish during the winter months. Much
Improvement can be made around the fire.
side with the wife and children, but at the
Grange meeting we can read together, talk
together, improve together, cultivate socia-
bility and devise the best methods to make
farming profitable, digni6ed and pleasant
DOnot let the best opportunities for advance
ment be lost. Avoid secluseness and mar
row-mindedness and always bear in mind
that we are everywhere in partnership and
close communion with the sons and daugh-
tiers Of the home farm" and that those who
live and thrive surrounded by pleasant fields,
meadows, streams and woods, and cultivate
the soil, are members of the same noble fami-
ly, having in common the same interests and
sympathy, and should therefore all be Pat
rOns OF HusDandry.
The most important recollections and the
warmest memories hang over our homes.
Around the family hearthstone cluster the
public and private virtues Of our nation.
Proprietorshlp Is our strongest power; he
who owns home has castle and will de-
fend Ii. Man connects his home with love of
country. Fortunately for the nation there
are within its borders four millions Of
agricultural homes, and in the State Of Maine
81, 500 farms and homes, of which 81 ,52S are
cultivated by their owners. The Grange
teaches us how to build up happy and con-
tented rural homes. and inculcates the prin-
ciples Of Independence and self reliance, and
shows us how we can take care Of ourselves
The preamble OF the Grange constitution de-
elares that Human happiness Is the
acme Of human ambition" Human
ambition leads mankind into narrow
and uncertain pathways. Professional
life, mercantile pursuits. high and hon
orable oficial positions have their rec
omnandafinns and are worthy Of the anshi-