Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-12-23

States. t'
The Pomona Grange, in all tins coun-
lies. appears to be occasions OF mach |
social pleasure and general usefulness.
While the Pomona Grange cannot
exist without tho subprtilnate oranges,
it should be the earnest effort of tie
Pomona 10 deviso plans Tor tho encour-
agement OF subordinate oranges,
especially the weaker ones, thus pre-
venting dormnncy. II, by arrange.
ment, the subordinate oranges should
DO visited by n committee appointed by
the Pomona, every quarter, the result
would be an inspiration TO the oranges
visited, while the benefits would lie
reflective and the visiting memhera
woul1 carry adued enthusiasm TO their
home oranges.
The SUCCESS OF the grange in matters
OF legislation Ia gratifying. Numerous
propositions OF the grange are enacted
into law. Let US continue to stand
together in the advocacy of those just
measures which VT havn thoroughly
discussed and about which wo can
agree, and SUCCESS ia sure. The grange
has favored free mail delivery, and now
the Postoiica Department is making
experiments to tcst its prarticability.
banka, and now il ia unfortunately
statsd that they will be recommended
by the department. The question 1f
tho authorization of food has received
ion. and now, under authority of
Congress, tho Department of Agricul-
tura is Investigating the extent and
character OF food and drug adultera-
ton, through its special agent, A. J.
Wedderbutn, worthy master OF Virginia
stats Grange. VIM sOlicits intoitna.
tion on the subject? Among other ques-
tions that must continue to receive tho
hest Of thought of tho grange and the
country, are means 10 prevent gam
bling in articles Of food to the injury
of both producer and consumer, legis
lation for the perfection of tho Inter
State Commerce. law. To SECURE more
friendly relations between capital and
labor, thu election OF UnitBd States
Senators by direct vote OF the people,
the suppression OF intemperancs and for
personal reform. a reduction in official
salaries TO conform more nearly with
people OF ordinary business and a
grsater economy in the expenditure of
the public funds. "Who would be free
themselves. must strike the blow" We
are not alone III this great work of re
form. Hundreds Of thousands Of good
patrons are with uH, and those and
other questions will be settled rightly
when the people are equal 10 the de-
mands Ii agriculture Ia not fairly dealt
with by legislators, it lie sad com
mentary upon the intelligence and man.
hood of the farmers having the balance
| of power 10 every Stnte and casting 40
per cent OF the ballots of tho nation.
The demand for trained minds in tho
various departments of activity fills our
medical, business. law, and other cul.
leges with students. Our Agricultural
Colleges established In compliance with
the demand of farmers, are not properly
appreciated by them. In these colleges
skilled experts are employed TO teach
the farmer'B hoys the things in tine
sciences that pertain TO agriculture and
which will interest and improve them
as farmers. Agriculture is becoming
more and more a business or profession
and requires skill for its successful
management. The good old times,
whom learning was not thought neces.
saTy on the farm, arc passing away,
and tina future will require the applca
tion OF trained minus to tho laws of
nature for SUCCESS in agriculture.
Farmers buys sent TO the ordinary col
lege, will drift away from the farm,
but, it sent to the agriculture college,
they will generally come back to elevate
the cause Of agriculture. With our agrl-
culture colleges and experimental sta
tions, solving the questions Of soil,
animals, crops and fertilizers, which the
individual farmer cannot solve for him.
self. supplemented by the grange and
farmers institutes, the coming gener-
alton should enjoy that influence and
power which is the right of those en-
gageu Ia the Oldest ard most indispen-
sable occupation.
l am requested to invite your con-
sideration of the following recominen-
dations of the worthy lecturer of the
National Grange, which we're adopted :
In this connection, desire to call
your attention to the seeming necessity
of some movement looking to greater
concert OF action in regard to lecture
work. On account OF travelling ex-
penses, it might not BIS best for all
State lecturers to meet in one place.
Six or eight States could he grouped.
and meeting called at some central
point with comparatively small cost .
The quarterly bulletin will continue to
be issued by the national lecturer, and
/ am sure it should prove very helpful
to the lecturer of the Subordinate
oranges in preparing programmes.
1t would be difficult to oyerestimate
the influence of the newspaper of to-
day. 1t finds its way into tue homes oil
oil classes and conditions of people, and
is read by many who read but little or
nothing elss. 1t is the great msdium
for the exchange of thought. The
political, the business, the social life
and the morality OF the people are
largely influenced by ii. The grange
has several faithful opponents of its
principles that are devoted to the good
of the order, and We shall come fal
short of our highest development and
usefulness in the grange il We fail tc
, have one or more of these grange advo
Gates TO come to our homes. The loca
, papers will generally welcome con.
densed and pithy reports Of our meet.
ings. Such reports would keep the
] grange before the people, and pave the
way for increasing membership.
Since our last meeting one OF oul
charter members, Mrs. Hannah Day
has passed. away. l am sure that Mr,
! Day, our worthy chaplain, has our fra
! ternal sympathy in his great bereave
ment.
Pilots Association.