The Portland daily press., 1888-12-19


BILE and undesirable.
There are other questions besides the price
OF Labor that materially affect the trial bal
ance OF farm work. and oftentimes show the
profit and loss on the wrong side.
Admitting the truth of the fact that farm
ing Is not as profitable as it should be, the
most important question to consider Is, how
can it be made more so? Give two farmers
the same conditions of land and market, and
equal advantages in every respect. except the
method and manner of cultivation. At the
end of a fixed period of time, you will find
one thrifty and lndependent,-the other poor
and In debt, with mOrtgaged farm. The
successful farmer you will find to be diligent,
frugal, temperate, intelligent-a moral man
and good citizen The other farmer may
be equally we'll educated; for, if he is ignor-
ant and immoral he is an unfortunate farmer,
and Is hardly ever successful; but his failure
may be entirely in consequence of ideness,
improyidence and waste. 1t is the wastes in
the farm that swell the aggregate of loss. An
important element in farm incomes will be a
correction of these wastes.
There are many questions of economic
character which must be considered and fol-
lowed in order to secure profitable agricul-
ture,-a faithful compliance with the exam
pie and experience of our successful farmers
would cure many of the failures in farm life.
Farmers should cooperate together in an in
telllgent manner, understand the commercial
condition of supply and demand of farm
crops, have trade agencies of their own, and
In just manner fix the selling prices OF all
the productions of farm labor, so that rea-
sonable profits can be secured.
In closing his address Master Robie i'm
pressed upon the farmers the need of thor
ough organization, aud the advantage that
would result from bringing into the Grange
all the farmers of the State. He said:
Some of the more general and certain
inc and -.
rect the burdens and just complaints of
farmers, are now being discussed, and are
beginning to exert their influences. The
most important and necessary auxiliary for
these purposes at the present time, is effc-
lent organization and the active cO-opera-
tion of the American farmers, as craft for
their own benefit and protection. All other
vocations and industries are engaged in prac
ticing the same means and Methods why
not the farmer? There is distinct and
not common to the whole, but belongs to
each individual craft. There is no one in
dustry that has more individuality
and separate Independence than the
business and occupation of the farmer
The times demand that the nine millions of
farmers of this country should come to the
front, and in reasonable manner stand to-
gether for better and more profitable agri-
culture, for social and political equality, for
a just recognition and protection, with other
tnbChCobSs Ny luC ndliOudl governments, IOI
equal taxation and representation in our leg
islative bodies. Let us vote together, If nee
essary, for an administration of public af-
fairs which will restore the government of
the people, for the people and by the people,
to It's original intention. The American free
ballot Is the only power that will secure
equal rights and privileges, equal power and
equal burdens. Let it be used intellgently
by the American farmer In the language
OF our declaration. OF purposes, These are
American ideas, the very essence of Ameri-
can independence, and to advocate the con-
trary is unworthy of the sons and daughters
of an American republic"
1t seems incumbent on the Grange,in order
to make its usefulness felt and its influence
more general. to inaugurate some plan by
which the farmers can realize there are good
and sufficient reasons for every member of a
farmers family to connect himself with our
organization as an active member. If 10000
Patrons of Husbandry in Maine are able to
do as much as has been done for the intellec-
tual advancement, the moral culture, the So
cial enjoyment and the financial success of
the farmers of our State, what results would
follow should there be a live Grange in ev-
cry town in the State, with an aggregate
membership of $4,000 farmers? the number
of persons in our State who are actively en-
gagged in agricultural pursuits.
To this end let us labor-that the Grange
may be extended, until every farmer and ey-
cry inmate of his family of proper age shall
become member of our association. and at
no distant day will the burdens of the agri-
cultural classes be removed, and the millen-
lum of the brightest possibilities dawn upon
the American husbandman.
At the evening session an address of well
come from Penobscot County Grange was
delivered by Hon. b. A. Burr, and for the
Queen City Grange by Mrs. E. III. Gregory.
Chaplain 0. G. Hancock responded. The
reports of deputies were made.
New Hampshire Crangers.