The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-12
Farmers Picnic.

The annual farmers picnic of the
Central Vermont Pomona Grange was
held on Thursday of last week in the
fine grove of S. w. Benjamin, about
two and one-half miles from Mont
pelier. Preparations had been made
for large gathering of farmers and
their families, but owing to the cold
weather and the serious frost of the pre-
ceding night the number present was
greatly lessened. Notwithstanding these
discouraging circumstances, nearly two
hundred assembled in the grove to
participate in the social and intellectual
pleasures of the occasion. The exer-
cises in the forenoon opened with music
by the grange choir and prayer by the
Rev. Mr.. Hall of Berlin. The address
of welcome was given in very happy
manner by Mrs. E. E. Andrews of
Berlin, and as happy a response was
made by L. A. Flint, secretary of the
Vermont State Grange. Mrs. J. NJ.
Burnham then read an excellent essay
on " Our Boys and Girls" in which the
necessity for proper education was
strongly emphasized
Following the essay was an address
by Hon. William Chaplin, member of
the State Board of Agriculture, on
" Hindrances to Success in Farming"
Mr.. Chaplin took the ground that many
serious obstacles to success in farming
in this state might and ought to be re-
moved by proper legislation. He laid
particular stress upon the necessity for
legislation upon the transportation ques-
ton, claiming that the farmers were
Justly entitled to lower rates of freight
to market than are now accorded them.
He referred to the fact that farmers
were quite ready to legislate and appro-
pirate money for monuments and vari-
Gus other worthy objects, but at the
same time they would most wofully
neglect their own interests. AS an il
per day which was fixed as compensa-
ton of the members of the State Board
of Agriculture and the members OF
the present railroad commission, the
former being two dollars and the latter
eight dollars per day. He hoped to see
this great inconsistency remedied and
liberal state support given to the
Board of Agriculture and the State
Dairymen's Association. He also re-
ferred to lack of proper business
methods among farmers, and claimed
that there is as much necessity for
farmers to keep plain account of theil
business as for merchants and other
business men to keep accurate ac.
counts. The address was replete with
good suggestions and practical common
sense and was warmly applauded by
the audience.
Dinner was then announced, after
which was song by Mrs. John Farm
ham, followed by an address by A
Messer, master of the Vermont State
Grange. Mr.. Messer spoke for nearly
an hour and half upon "The Unity
of Farmers" in which the speaker re
ferred to current topics of interest tt
farmers and urged them to be united
in the accomplishment of the objects
in view. The close attention of the
audience showed their appreciation o.
and interest in the address.
Following this was fine recitation
of an original poem by Mrs. w. H
Bacon and the reading of an eXcelen
poem prepared for the occasion by Mrs
Cassius Peck. Both of these effort
were highly appreciated by all present
This closed rich programme, whicl
was carried out to the letter. H. A. f
Richardson of RoXbury was master o
ceremonies and performed his work il
very satisfactory manner.