The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-12-17
Meeting of the Somerset Pomona at
Madison.

The regular December session Of the
Pomona, and the last one for the year
was held with Kennebec Valley
Grange, Madison, Tuesday, December
s. The surrounding subordinate
oranges were well repret ented, and
the meeting, lively and interesting
one from start to finish; Officers
present were the Master, OYetseer,
Lecturer, Steward, Assistant Steward
Secretary, Gate Keeper, Ceres and
Lady Assistant Steward, Eugene Dan
forth acting as Chaplain, Mrs. Eugene
Danforth as Pomona and NJ RS S. +.
Emerson az Flora.
After the transaction of the regular
business the program was taken MP
and Levi Martin, Master of Kennebec
Valley Grange, gave the welcome
address, and w. {. Hobart of East
Madison Grange, responded TO the
welcome.
The topics for discussion were:
Which is Most Profitable for Farm
ers in this Section to Keep, Cows or
Sheep" and Do Farmers take
enough Interest in State and National
Legislation? The speakers on these
two questions were Ansel Holway, J.
5. Blackwell, q. II. Foster, Eugene
Danforth, T. d. Salley, w. G. Hobart.
IL. B. Ellis, S. +. Emerson, Mrs. X. A.
Withee, L. l.. Smith and d. NJ Horton.
In regard to the first topic, while cows
had the preference, it was conceded
that location, adaptability of the farm
and the farmer and like conditions
govern in a large measure which
branch of stock is the most profitable.
The present high price of all dairy
products with no prospect of lower
prices IN sight, warrants farmers in
holding on to their cows and even in
creasing their number if possible.
the second topic called out a lively
and instructive debate. 1t touched
little on political affairs, but not in a
partisan way. Similar questions have
often come before the Pomona for
consideration, and because OF such
discussions and presentation of truths
the grange is educating the farmer on
the line of common rights and oppor-
tunities, and gradually elevating him
to his proper position and political
standing with his fellows of other oc-
equations and professions. All legis
latlon, state and national, more or less
reaches out and touches every home
in the land and concerns all who live
under our flag. We all have an inter-
est and the farmer needs to prepare
himself to act his part in the affairs OF
government. The grange is con-
stantly and steadily teaching him to
rise and take hold of the opportuni-
ties that lie in his path way. Not
yet has he reached that point, but
through the mighty influence of this,
greatest of all farmers organizations,
it is approaching and will come to
stay.
The grange needs to keep such ques-
lions as this to the front and hold them
there for consideration and discussion
/ We do not see anything else but the
grange that will completely lift the
farmer out Of the deep ruts of TIN
past, and place him where he has a
constitutional right to belong up on
the front line of equal privileges and
opportunities. Besides the discussion
of the above topics there were recita-
tations by Sadie Merry and Rose
Sumerield, song by Fred Dinsmore
and music by the choir at intervals
during the session. A class of eight
was instructed in the fifth degree and
admitted into the Pomona.
Next session with SkoWhegan
Grange, Tuesday and Wednesday
January ID, IA, 1909.