The Somerset reporter., 1908-01-16
Patrons of Husbandry.
Twenty-eighth Annual Session of the
Somerset Pomona at Skowhepan.

vened with Skowhegan Grange at its
twenty eighth annual session, which
means that for twenty eight years in
succession the Pomona has not failed
OF meeting at Skowhegan aud trans
acting the annual business devolving
upon 1t as a representative of twenty
i've subordinate oranges with mem
bership of 1885.
Wednesday morning opened up
with ideal winter weather which was
most favorable for large delegations
from different sections of the county,
ana when the master called to order
Tor the morning session, the follow
ing officers responded to the call of
their names: Master, G. B. Walker.
overseer, q. II. Foster; lecturer.
Clara b. Leavitt; steward, W. c. Ho-
bart; asst. steward. +. Z. Davis.
chaplain, L. G. Jewett; treasurer. G.
1. Tibbetts; secretary. S. F. Emer-
son; gate keeper, C. NJ. Williams;
Pomona, Mrs. G. B. Walker; Ceres
Mrs. S. F. Emerson; Flora, Fay O.
roster; lady asst. steward, Mrs. F. E.
Davis; committee on application for
membership, r. F. Parker. W. A.
Blaisdell, Anon Baker.
The reports of subordinate oranges
were called for and Somerset, Victor.
Arson, Mercer, Pittsfield, Kennebec
Valley, Harmony, Skowhegan, Scion,
East Madison, Bingham, Palmyra,
Cornville, Ripley and Canaan were
duly reported. From these reports
we learn that the order is up to the
high water mark in Somerset county.
). F. Emerson, in behalf of Skow-
hegan grange, gave a cordial well
come to the Pomona, and L. L. Smith
responded to the welcome.
Hon. r. d. Leavitt, of the state ex-
ecutive committee, responded to his
name with remarks touching upon
questions now before the farmers OF
Maine, which closed the morning
session.
A largely increased number gath
cred at the opening of the aftern Don
session. The fret business was the
appointment of the senior officer
present of each subordinate grange
as committee to arrange for the
Pomona meetings for 1908. The
question of dividing the county into
two PomonaS was taken from the
table and it was decided not to divide.
The finance committee reported that
the treasnrer'S and secretary's books
had been audited and found correct.
These officers submitted their reports
for 1907. Twelve meetings were held
during the year. Some of the meet
ings were largely attended and great
lntet est manifested, while others oc-
Cured in severe storms, which prov
ed unfavorable for even an average
attendance. The finances of the
Pomona are in a sound condition,
with handsome sum in the treasury
Proceeded to the election of Off
GERS for the year 1908, with the fol-
lowing result: Master, G. H. Foster,
Canaan; overseer, w. 9. Hobart, East
Madison; lecturer, l.. l.. Smith, Corn
vile; steward, F. E. Davis, Madison
asst. steward, R. w. French, East
Madison; chaplain, l.. G. Jewett, East
Madison; treasurer, G. T. Tibbetts
Fairfield; secretary, S. F. Emerson,
Skowhegan; gate keeper, B. F. Walk
er, Madison; Pomona, Fay o. Foster,
Canaan; Ceres, Mrs. F. E. Davis,
Madison; Flora, Mrs l.. l.. Smith,
Cornville; lady asst. steward, Mrs
r. w. French, East Madison; execu-
tive committee, E. II. Tobey, Ansel
Holway, o. A. Salley.
Mrs. G. b. Leavitt reported the
practical questions discussed during
! the past we and also rendered her
sincere thanks for the aid given heI
by the members OF the order. Wor.
thy Master Walker gave q report OF
the last session of the Maine State
grange and rules established for gov
erning Pomona oranges. Reports OF
the master and lecturer were duly
accepted.
TUESDAY EVENING.
The evening session opened with
the large hall comfortably filled with
Patrons who came to take part and
witness the exercises OF the evening
the first of which was comforting the
fifth degree on class of thirty fourth
degree members. S. F. Emerson
then presented an original poem en-
titled Living on the Farm" Then
came a musical comedy; r. F. Par
ker, E. E Harris, Emma IL. Duntor
and Mrs. G. d. Miller, actors.
The officers elect were installed by
K. ID. Leavitt, state executive com
mittee, assisted by Mr.. and Mrs. 5. II
Beal, S. H. Brad bury, and Mrs. F. l.
Horn. A vote of thanks was tender.
! ed these officers for the efficient man
ner that they performed this splendid
service. This closed Tuesdays ex-
ercises
WEDNESDAY A. NJ.
Wednesdays session opened at ter
O'Clock a, M, and the first on the
program was an instructive paper by
DR.. VIM. Mclaughlin, entitled "The
ills of the farm and home, their dag
nosis and treatment" DR.. McLaugh
lin takes the ground that some of the
ills on the farm are the keeping oil
comparatively few sheep; the falling
off from former years in the keeping
of oxen and steers; allowing so much
fertile land to grow up to bushes and
weeds that otherwise might produce
profitable crops, and the purchasing
of SO much western produce to feed
farm stock. DR.. Mclaughlin thinks
that ills are in the home because OF
SO much drudgery and consequently
poor health among the women Of
these homes. Recommends more