Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-01-05
EDUCATIONAL HELPS.
Institute and Grange Make Farming More
Profitable and Pleasant.

II any testimony was needed to show
the Importance of the grange as a
farmers organization, and it's inesti-
mable benefit to farming interests of
the country, it can readily be found in
,he records of the late meeting of the
national grange, and of the many state
T~nges that have been held during
fhe fSesent month. AT nearly ali of
these meetings public sessions have
been held, at which governors and 9TH
or state officers have deemed it an hon
mr. to be present and participate in the
exercises, which is the best evidence
of the character and high standing of
the organization.
But important as this may be. it is
not from this standpoint alone that the
organization should be Judged. by
their fruits shall ye know them" 1t is
what the grange does for agriculture
and the best interests of the country
that establishes it's standing and gives
II strength and influence. At these an
nual gatherings the work of the year
is summarized, with its successes and
failures and the future policy of the
order is formulated. In a majority OF
states the reports of the various off,
GERS are models of thought. showing a
clear and distinct understanding of the
social. economic and financial questions
of the day, and we'll defined views in
regard to the position and needs of
the farmers, and the laws that are
needed in state and nation to protect
and foster the foundation interest of
this country, and give to the industrial
classes that degree of prosperity which
is essential for the nations well being
and its development and advancement
in all the lines of human progress.
Any organization which is built upon
a foundation that will insure such re-
suits cannot fail of securing the ap-
probation of the public and to be of
lasting benefit to it's membership.
At present much is being said about
the best way for the farmer to sell
what he produces In my experience
the best way to sell cattle or horses. or
hogs is to keep good ones. There is
always a sale for good stock, at fair
prices. and what is true of stock Is
equally true of any other product of the
farm, 1t never pays to put an inferior
article on the market. In fact IN
ferority is always on the wrong side of
the balance sheet AS rule farmers
try to cultivate too much land, and
raise too much stock. With less acres
and better cultivation, and less stock
of better quality, there would be more
profits in dollars and cents, and some
satisfaction in doing the business.
Farmers institutes are now in full
blast in nearly all parts of the country,
and their value to the people cannot be
.overestimated. In many places they
are a product of the grange. and If its
only achievement was to bring these
educational organizations into exist
ence, it would be full compensation
i. for all of the money and all of the
efforts that have been spent in bring
ing the order up to it's present high
standing in communities.
But notwithstanding the popularity
and efficiency of farmers Institutes,
people can readily be found, and TO
their shame it must be said that farm
ers are among them, who oppose the
Institutes, and would have them abol-
ished on the ground of economy. 1t IS
hard to conceive that such narrow
minded, short sighted men can De
found in any community. The appro-
priations to advance the interests Oh
agriculture and sustain these institutes
are but a moiety Of the appropriations
that are made in state and nation. Tor
other objects. and more or less or them
are of an objectionable nature. The
institute is Of the same general nature
as the school. or the church, where dl-
rect cash returns for the money ex-
pended is not expected. The returns
for institute expenditures are to De
found in more profitable farming,
more intelligent stock breeding, more
economy in stock feeding. a petter
knowledge of soils and plants ana
what the need for best results IN crops
better housekeeping. better home max
ing and better citizens. 1t is the quail
ity and quantity of the rural homes ol
the nation that make it strong anu
powerful. The grange and the iarih-
ers institute go hand in hand IN the
work of educating the farmer, ana poth
should have the hearty and generous
support of all classes in the commu-
nifty. Alpha Messef.
Lecturer National Grange.