Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-02-17
PATRONS OF mUsBANDRY,
MORTIMER WHITEHEAD.

MORTIMER WHITEHEAD.
Without a single dissenting vote the
legislation needed to secure the APP
preparation under the Hatch Expert
mental Station law was obtained in
the National House of Representatives
last week. 1t is probable that ere
this is read it will have passed the
Senate also, and this advance step in
the interest of agriculture will have
become a fixed fact. The measure
was hindered, and even endangered
for time while on its passage in the
House by some attempted amend
ments, but over the wires went the
alarm and back again from the Mas
tiers of State Oranges, and other
officers, in all parts of the country,
speaking for the tens ofthouSands OF
organized farmers they represented.
came the words, asking the immediate
appropriation, without additional
condition, of the money required to
make the law effective. And it was
done. A glance at the printed pages
of the Congressional Record will show
how bravely and unitedly farmers in
the Grange spoke through their
leaders.
AS is well known this Experimental
Station bill provides for establishing
and maintaining in the interests of
agriculture an Experiment Station in
each State of the Union with an an
nual appropriation Of $4,000. The
Grange can justly claim good share
of the credit for securing the law. 1t
was number of years ago that the
National Grange first talked on the
matter of having several National EX-
pertinent Stations located in the diff
ferent sections of the country, and in
the interest Of their special SOIL crops,
climate. etc. 1t finally took definite
form in a station for each State, and
each year since the National, various
State and Subordinate Oranges and
Individual Patrons have advocated
and urged the measure.
Now that the Experiment Station
matter is settled, there remains a
plain duty not only for farmers in the
Grange, but all farmers in every State
of the Union, to see that the stations
are established and that the money
appropriated is spent in the interest
Of agriculture. We all know how the
Agricultural College land scrip of
years ago was squandered in some
States, and in others absorbed by
other colleges who even disown the
name agriculture; and it will be the
fault of farmers themselves if this new
appropriation in any State goes the
same way. Several State Oranges
this Winter have taken prompt and
careful action in the matter Others
should do the same, and do it at once.
Let every Subordinate Grange in
the United States, at its next meeting,
take up the discussion of the Expert
ment Station, have the law read that
all may learn its provisions, and know
exactly what it is intended TO do. In
terest farmers and Patrons in it.
Create public feeling and sentiment
in the matter. If State legislation is
needed, see that it is secured Let it
be known that the farmers of your
S;are a., awake in this matter. Don't
put il oil.
Trust no future, howe'er pleasant;
Act, act i'll the living present.
1t having been proposed in one OF
the agricultural papers of Kansas that
the farmers should organize under
the name of State Farmers Associ- |
alton, VIM. Sims, Master of the State |
Grange, and Secretary of the Stare |
Board of agriculture, reptile a follows:
Il think your suggestion timely, and !
worthy of the thoughtful considera-
ton of agriculture, and well calclated |
to induce that consideration of the |
subject presented which its impor-
tance demands But in view of the |!
thorough and complete organization
of the Order of Patrons Of Husbandry, |
now well established, growing stronger
yearly, and to which, during its |
twenty-one years of continuous work !
is due more of the important reform
secured in the interest of agricultur
than can be attributed to all other ill
tiuences combined, and which is nov
able to furnish conclusive evidence of
its nearer approach to the require
ments of the agricultural classes thai
any other association of like character
vet presented tothe American farmer.
beg leave, very respectfully, to ques
ton the propriety of diverting atten-
ton, by the formation of another or
ganization Of the same general char
acter, with like aims and purposes,
the effect of Which. if consummated,
must of necessity divide our forces,
weaken our influence, and lessen our
chances for final success"
There are two Patrons fire insur-
ance companies in Maine in which the
cost of insurance has been less than
L.