Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-09-11
GRANGE NEWS.

Windham County Pomona grange held
a meeting with North River grange Sept.
?. The morning exercises consisted of
business, an intere sting rea ling bya Whit
ingham lad. with a specially instructive es-
say about the poet Whittier AMI his works
by a Wilmington la !, also one by Gull
ford lady. upon woman's work compared
with the work 40 years ago. which called
out lively discussion. The prevailing feel
ing seemed to be tha' the general homework
of the present time called for 50 much more
labor and time that the added improved
machinery and comfortable furnishings for
the family did not lessen the real work.
Statistics were given showing that the av-
erage age reached at the present is greater
than in oldcn times. The exercises closed
and tables were brought in. and in a short
time we were seated and found so much
before us that we did not know where to
begin.
The afternoon session was public and was
held in Wilcox hall, the proprietor doing
all he could for the comfort of the goodly
number that gathered there. The exercises
were opened by the grange choir, composed
of young people. who sang several times
very acceptably. The words of welcome
from the master Of North River grange
were well adapted to the occasion and serv-
ed as a keynote to the several speakers. He
was responded to by charter member Of
Protective grange. who was able to tell why
ne believed in the grange The best meth
DDS Of securing fall crops was talked about
by real farmer from Nottingham, who
had a silo and thought it an important
thing. On the potato question he. with
all those who spoke upon that subject. ac-
knowedged that they did not know when
or how to secure that crop SO that it would
not decay. \ great number of expert
ments had proved failures. The decay OF
the potatoes this year seems to prevail gen
orally in this county, if one may Judge by
reports given there \ practical essay up
on duty read by Halifax lady. was sure
to bear fruit some time and was often al
luded to afterwards.
4 paper upon The ideal farmer by
one of Wilmington's practical farmers. was
entitled to the applause which it received
and showed that the true ideal could be
reached by effort. THE wastes of the farm
was the title Of the last paper and was very
suggestive to careless people, and carried
much weight. as it was written by one of
Nottingham careful farmers. \ declama-
ton by one of the young men Of Jackson
vile was well received. The time was not
loup enough lOI All Illat wished 10 TAX or
hear from others, but the distance which
many were from home prevented a longer
stay, and we were obliged to close.
We were very favorably impressed with
the looks of the farms including the build
ings and all connected with their work
Energy and enterprise surely they have in
abundance. One thing | wish to MENTION
hoping other towns may consider the mat
ter if they are not already provided with
plenty of guideboarls. We found them up
at every road junction with the name Of
the town and the distance on. even to frac-
I tions of miles. This is a pleasure as well
as assistance to the stranger. The next
county meeting is to be held in Townshend
sept. -.
Protective grange had an interesting dis
cuSsion at the last meeting upon a college
education for the farmers boys. All seemed
/ to feel that that kind of learning tended to
draw the boy away from the farm. still
nearly all felt that he could not have too
much practical education. 1t was affirmed
10y one present that only strength was nee
essary for a farmer without any book learn
/ ing. Farmers influence was spoken upon
and the effect upon others was alluded to
As usually being good. The first and Sec
ond degree will be taught at our next meet
ing. A.