The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-01-31
Vermont State Grange.

State Master Alpha Messer OF Rochester
has issued the following address to the
| grange in Vermont:
Patrons and Friends Of the Grange;--It
seems to me that a strong effort should be
made by all who are interested in grange
work to increase the number of oranges in
this state. The grange is now popular with al
claSsesiln the community, and, with proper
effort on the part of state deputies and Off
GERS of Pomona and subordinate oranges
assisted by the membership, there ought to
be large increase in the number of oranges
and in membership during the present year
To accomplish this desired end will require
some sacrifice of time and effort on the part
OF our grange workers. but the sacrifices
which we may make of time and effort in
this direction will be fully compensated by
the consciousness of doing our duty and be-
ing co-workers with others in the effort to
increase the prosperity and happiness of the
farming population of our state. The mem
bers of the grange in other New England
states are now looking to Vermont patrons
for grand advance in grange work and a
large increase in the number of our oranges,
and the field is ready for the work. 1t re-
mains Tor us to occupy the same and organ
ize the oranges. Sometimes 1t has been the
practice to appoint committees to assist the
deputies in working up the field and organ
izing new oranges, but this step is not
necessary at the present time. Every MEM
Der OF grange should consider himself or
herself as specially invited and authorized
to canvass the field for new oranges and re-
cruits for existing oranges. Let the canvass
be made in every direction; ask your neigh
bors to join the grange; drive to the neigh
boring towns and interview the best farmers
in regard to the grange If none exists in
town, and write to your friends in all parts
of the state where there are no oranges, and
ask IL there is not some desire for an organ
l..
every opportunity to gain information in
this direction; and the master Of the state
grange, or the nearest deputy, should at
once be notified Of any willingness or desire
OF farmers in any part of the state for a
grange organization
" The cause is noble one, and the influ-
enoe OF the oranges is uplifting in all its
tendencies, The farmers OF Vermont need
the grange, and the grange needs all the
farmers and their families. We want the
best men in the grange to assist in develop
ing and making proper use of the social and
educational features of the order, for the
benefit OF the rural population OF our state.
Vermont occupies leading position in va
rious lines OF farming interests, and is surely
coming to the front as place for happy ru.
raj homes; and our farming population
should use every opportunity within their
reach to properly develop the social element
in their natures and to educate themselves,
not only in the various lines which relate to
farm work and farm production, but also in
those lines of education which relate to
their duties and responsibilities az citizens.
reasonable portion of my time will be
used to assist the deputies and others in
building up the order in this state and,
while my other duties may prevent me
from responding to all calls, l shall esteem
IL privilege to render all the assistance in
my power to increase the strength and eff
cheney OF the grange in Vermont. united
movement all along the line cannot fail of
good results. Let us labor together for this
end"