The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-16
THE REPORT.

The state grange is often asked to
annually take up one or two important
matters and force them to the end
This year, however, not only one or
two. but many things, each of great
importance, are forced upon US. If we
do not take them in hand. others will.
If we do not settlF them they will be
settled for us. probably by those who
are not friendly to our interests.
The gypsy moth still tiourishes, and
an honest difference of opinion exists
whether they can ever be eXterminated
Certainly, if ever. it must be by con-
slant, rather than spasmodic effort. We
therefore urge the legislature to ap-
propriate sufficient money to carry on
the work vigorously, and that the ma
tional government be asked to assist
Every farmer is directly interested
in good roads. That the state has the
funds and the ability to build in more
thorough manner than the ordinary
country town can afford is plain to all.
We therefore urge a large appropriate
ton for this purpose We urge that
more of this money be expended in
small country towns that the work be
economically done, that the work al
ready commenced be completed as
speedily as possible, and that public
hearings be granted before locations
are decided. If new legislation be need
ed to carry out the recommendations,
VIC urge our executive committee to see
that the matter is brought before the
general court. and properly looked after
until the end sought is obtained.
The dairy is one Of the most i'm
portant of Massachusetts interests. BY
it a vast number OF our members OBJ
tain their livelihood. Anything that
affects the product Of the dairy in any
respect directly affects us When,
therefore, we learn from the daily press
that determined effort is to be made
to repeal the so-called oleomargarine
laws, ii behooves the state grange TO be
ready to defeat these enemies of the
farmers. We should not only pass res
olutions on this subject. but we should
meet our enemies at every point and, if
possible. defeat their schemes. We,
therefore, recommend that our execu-
tive committee be instructed to use ev-
cry possible effort to defeat any at
tempt to repeal our laws in regard TO
pure products of the dairy
The transportation of milk interests
many of our members Whether the
grange should take up this matter is a
debatable question. We recommend
that the master be authorized to APP
point committee Of three members of
our order TO investigate this matter, es-
pecially as regards the ACCESSIBILITY of
its being taken up by the grange, said
committee to report to the executive
committee and through them to the
next state grange.
Contagious diseases among domestic
animals will again claim the attention
or the legislature. We recommend
that the state grange put itself on rec
ord as favorable to the law now on the
statute books, provided a sufficient APP
preparation is made to carry out ifs
provisions. To this end we ask for al
least 100000 If the legislature in its
wisdom does not see fit to appropriate
money for this purpose, then we rec
ommend such revision of the law as
will protect the farmers interests.
We believe, however, that sanitation
and not slaughter, is to be the policy
of the future. That comfortable. we'll.
ventilated barns, well -groomed. we'll
fed stock Clean Well-cared-for dairy
rooms are the great needs Of the day
we earnestly believe. Careful instruc-
ton along these lines is needed by
many perhaps majority Of farmers
We, therefore, recommend that the
state grange favor a law authorizing
the Massachusetts dairy bureau to ap-
point one or more inspectors of barns
and diaries. These inspectors should be
practical men. They should be com
petent to give advice and instruction
along lines that will promote care
cleanliness and health.
Every barn and dairy in the towns
should be visited, and its condition
marked on scale of points Those
above a certain per cent should be pub
lished. In this way we believe that
health will be promoted profits en-
larged and the confidence of the people
strengthened.
In view Of the large number of in
terests to be looked after before the
coming legislature, we recommend that