The Somerset reporter., 1908-08-27
Patrons of Husbandry.
Great Field Day of the Somerset
Pomona at Lakewood.

Pomona at Lakewood
/ The Annual Field Day Of the Som
erset Pomona came OFF at Lakewood
as advertised, Friday, Aug. u. B,
team and electrics and boat plyinl
across the lake, the Patrons of Som
erset came pouring into the grove II
large numbers bringing with then
their relatives and friends, and wher
the exercises opened up at clever
O'Clock a. IN. every body seemed tx
be satisfied that it would be the
largest gathering in Somerset grange
history. Geo. H. Foster, Master OF
the Pomona, called to order and after
selection by the band, under the
direction of E. E. Towne, the speak.
ing was opened by Hon. NJ. L. Merrill
who is always at home in his OWL
county and among his brothers and
sisters of the Somerset Pomona
After the accustomed preliminaries oil
a pleasant nature Mr.. Merrill entered
on the subject of Taxation, question
OF great interest to the tax payers OF
the State. The speaker is member
of the State Tax Commission and is
qualified TO discuss intelligentiy thif
question, and is seeking TO ADJUST
taxes in a just and satisfactory man
ner if possible. He believes that in
no county do we get SO much for the
dollars paid in taxes than here in this
county, but that does not offer any
excuse for excessive taxation OF
graft or extravaganza.
The speaker gave credit to the
grange for taking hold of unjust
methods that prevailed not only II
taxation but in the adulteration oil
feeds and seeds and fertilizers shipped
into our State. By constant work and
continual perseverance the grange
had righted wrongs and compelled
the Legislature to take favorable
action on these questions that in.
terest the farmers of Maine. Mr.
Merrill SAYS that if it had not beer
for the Patrons of Husbandry in theil
united opposition the State Capita
would have been removed to Port.
land.
The Initiation and Referendum was
taken up and discussed favorably ii
behalf of this measure. The grange
started this great move and the
speaker urged the voters to be care
full when they cast their ballot at the
next election to vote for this measure
no matter in what other way you may
vote. If this measure is carried WE
shall see radical changes for the
better in the future.
Another selection by the band anc
Prof. L. S. Merrill, State Dairy In
structor, was introduced and called
attention to the subject he represents
He likes the idea of the Patrons
working together as unit and work
ing along the lines of cooperation
effort. The products of the dairy il
of great importance and the industry
is so wide that it requires organiza-
ton and implicit understanding, tc
have just and equable methods
adopted between the producer and
consumer. The speaker referred to
the benefits derived from organized
effort in other branches of farming
mentioning the associations formed
in other counties as we'll as in ouI
own to advance the interest OF CO.
operation. Dairymen should, as
nearly as possible, learn the cost OF
feeding the COW and also the value OF
the product received. The different
COWS should be tested and their in
diyidual merits known and the Dairy
Association stand ready to aid the
farmers and others in bringing tins
about. The speaker referred to the
buying and selling of cream, milk
and butter in New England and de
elared that the producers in New
England will be taxed to the utmost
to furnish the home supply OF the
dairy products. Mr. Merrill in clos
ing referred to this beautiful day and
the meeting together of so many tc
enjoy the fraternal associations con-
nected with it. This closed tht
morning exercises.
Increased numbers came in on the
boat and on the cars and with teams
to attend the afternoon exercises ano
Chairman Foster took the stand witt
the afternoon speakers. After
fine selections by the band, Nationa
Master N. ]. Bachelor was introduc-
ed and entered Into the eloquent ad
dress which met the demand of the
occasion in full. The National Mas
ter paid high tribute to the State oil
Maine. It's population, its wealth oil
natural resources and commanding
influences in national affairs were
opened up followed with a commend
alton of tho Patrons of Husbandry
and a wonder why every farmer, es'
pecially, is not a member. Inc
Grange is the great organization IL
this country that makes farming pop
ular. 1t is the organization that lifts
the farmer and his family up into /
higher sphere of usefulness and hap
piness. The farmer has not in pasI
years lacked brain power but lacked
the opportunity TO develop that brair
power. The Grange came and gave
that opportunity and we see The
result in farmers coming to the from
and taking an active part in the great
activities of life; in filling positions
of trust and confidence; in promoting
and accomplishing reforms and ad
iusting measures SO beneficial to al
classes. The speaker mentioned
what the Grange, as an organized
BODY, had already achieved and wa'
reaching out and taking hold OF
others which are essential TO the vel
fare of our common citizenship. L
would require many hours to mention
the different lines of work the Grange
proposes to do in building up agricul
ture and making its influence felt
and strongly, in education, in public
politics, in social standing, in all that
eleyates true manhood and woman
hood u,baraUar ne hQQ bppn in fbf