The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-12-20
TEACHING THAT WILL MAKE FARMERS.
The Grange calls for an Addition to
school Instruction.
Matters Of Public Interest Which
Have Received Attention.
Resolutions Expressing the Patrons
Regard for Past Master Robbie.



BELFAST, December 19.-C0mmttee work
has taken up much of the time Of the State
Grange Dr. Twltchell, chairman Of the
special committee on valuation, urged the SO
lection Of two representative men to repre-
sent the farmers interest before the State
Valuation Commission and the State
Commission to investigate the subject Of
taxation. Hon. Rufus Prince and Hon. K.
W. Ellis were selected. A special commit
tee on agriculture led by Mr.. J. o. WinslOw
of St. Albans presented valuable report
which called for extended discussion. This
report follows:
Your committee believe that the grange should
take greater interest in legislation. both state and
national, by means Of petitions and BY electi4 9
as 70 secure better protection for the In eress Of
agriculture. We earnestly protest against the
en manufacturers TO remove the tarif on WOOL
rms measure Is thrus at the very lie OF an I'M
portant and general branch Of farming. :,
We regard the fact that western producers ot
Deer are allowed the use OF government laDds
without taxation, an unjust discrimination against
Wine we believe tnat the condition of agricul-
ture In our State Is upon the whole improving
yet Improvement Is much slower than lt should
be. There are certain conditions ana tendencies
that serve to prevent rapid progress. the major
ity Of our farmers have not sufficient acqualn-
lance Will the ScltuJluC pfluclpibo Wnilu ho Al
the foundation Of their business to enable them
to conduct the business with economy and make
Intelligent progress. Another adverse tendency
is seen In the fact that majority OF the brightest
and best Of our young people are generally dis
posed to leave the farm and favor other Oecupa-
Ii ms. At home influences are discOuraging. In
the course OF Instruction at school there Is re-
markable absence Of anything that would tend 70
give tone or interest to farming. The tendency
should In some way be checked.
In view Of these facts and with particular re-
ference TO the communication referred to US from
the Somerset Pomana, we present the following
RESOLVED, That we regard the low opinion Of
farming as an occupation that largely prevails
among farmers, aud especially the general ten
dency Of our young people to leave the farm, as
evils which seriously threaten the welfare OF ag-
reculture, and which the grange should strive 20
overcome. We believe this tendency may be
largely corrected by extending a knowledge Of,
and fondness for, the scientific principles OF agri-
of Thought ana less matter 81 drudgery' We
believe that the most thorough and efficient
means OF attaining this end Is 10 Introduces the
study Of agriculture into the course Of instruction
for the older pupils In rural schools. We regard
1t as matter Of justice that the farmer who Is
compelled TO pay heavy taxes for the education OF
his children, should demand that one branch Of
study pursued at school should have direct refer
enee to that occupation TO which ne deyOteS
his life and by which he earns his daily bread.
The report was accepted and a commit
tee was appointed to procure the prepara-
tion OF suitable text book for tho public
schools.
At the closing sessions Of the State Grange
following the Installation Of the officers, I'm
pressively carried out by ex-State Master
RObie assisted by ex-State Master Thing
and others, Hon. Edward Wiggin Of Mays
vile was added to the commission to repre-
sent the body before the State Valuation
Commission. Resolutions pledging allegi-
ance to temperance reform, to education aud
to increased missionary and lecture work
were adopted
Secretary Gilbert Of the committee on the
State College and Experimental Station will
urge renewed attention 10 the work attempt
ed there. more careful examination into
methods and increased efforts to encourage
the agricultural features Of the work.
Mr.. /. D. Winslow Of st Albans was elect
ed member Of the advisory board In be-
half Of the State Grange to act In connection
with the managers Of the experiment station.
A long list OF resolutions were reported by
the committee pledging this order to still
| more advanced work Tor the farms and
| homes. A most cordial and touching vote Of
thanks has been extended 10 retiring Master
| Robie, who, after eight years active service,
| Is now relieved at his own request
Ex-Governor Robie has powerful bold
upon the members of the order, and has
been a faithful worker for its advancement
The close Of this sixteenth session leaves
the order stronger in every way than ever
before, better prepared for active, progress
siye work. and with full corps Of officers
alive to the Importance Of the situation. The
outlook Is for steady Increase, not only In
membership, but in an appreciation of the
true objects for which the order was founded.