The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1905-07-28
THE GRANGE
Conducted by
J. w. DARROw. Chatham. n. r..
Press Correspondent New York State
Grange
PRACTICAL COOPERATION.
Michigan state Grange Information
Bureau.

Mlcnl8un Stute orange lntORmothon
Bureau.
Especial Correspondence
For some time there has been an in
sistent demand from members of the
grange throughout the state of Michi-
gan that the state grange take some
active step toward promoting co-opera-
tive buying and selling among the
members. This demand was finally
met at the annual session Of Deem
Der, 1908, by resolution establishing
a state grange bureau of information
under the direct control of the commit
tee on cooperation.
A manager was selected and ar
rangements made for opening the new
department. There was no precedent
to follow, and the committee and man.
ager were obliged to devise their own
methods for opening up and carrying
on the work. AS 1t was necessary to
provide Il fund for the maintenance Of
the Office, outside Of the printing, post
age and stationery bills, which are
paid by the state grange, the plan was
adopted Of asking each grange in the
state to pay an enrolment fee of 81
year for the privilege Of connection
with the bureau. The ready response
received showed that there was Il real
demand for such work and Il hearty in
terest in the new department.
In order to acquaint Patrons with
the resources and needs of other Pa
irons some means of communication
became necessary. 1t was decided to
publish a monthly information bulletin
and to send five copies to each enrolled
grange for distribution. In every en-
rolled grange a bureau correspondent
was selected, and every month an in
formation blank is sent to him. This
blank contains questions regarding
products for sale and wants of the
members of his grange. On. these
blanks are spaces for listing items Of
various classes as well as questions
and suggestions regarding new fielus
of work. From these returns the items
in the bulletin are largely gathered,
although any member of an enrolled
grange may send items direct.
The bureau attempted to anticipate
the wants Of members. 1t was early
learned last year that there was a
scarcity OF good clover seed, and ar
rangements were made with reliable
dealer to furnish seed Of the very best
quality at q little above wholesale
rates. About 100 oranges availed them
selves of this opportunity last year,
and this year over $1,000 worth OF
seed was sold the same way. In seed
corn much saving was effected by ask
ing members to give termination test
when listing corn. Seed peas, beans
and barley were also sold as well as
many head of thoroughbred stock. A
large trade in cedar fence posts and
telephone poles has been carried on di-
rect through the knowledge gained
from items in the bulletin. Many
oranges have ordered two or three car
loads, saving from to cents post
One grange reports saving Of $50 on
| single car. and all from dollar In
vestment. As..A,.s-
Any member of an enrolled grange
can list items free and Is entitled tc
all correspondence with the bureau
| free of cost. Practically all of the ac
tive working oranges of the state
have enrolled with the bureau, and tie
| interest they show In the bureau and
the bulletin argues well for the useful
ness and continuation Of this depart
ment. BERTO A. HOLDEN.
Lansing, Mich.