St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-07-13
GRANGE NOTES
Opportunities for the Local Oranges
10 Aid in Promoting the Welfare
of the Farmer.

Farmer by Dean H. E. Cook, st.
Lawrence University, Canton. N. Y)
If the statements which follow are
wrong the writer will withdraw them
and apologiZe-only, of course, after
reasonable proof has been submitted.
Never before in the history of this
country has there been such general
interest in country life and country
problems as now.
Village and city people are promi-
nent in their expression and activity,
and are spending money to carry out
their desires. City legislators do not
hesitate to vote money for agricu1tur-
al schools and colleges, or, in fact,
for any sort of country and farm de-
velopment. The State Department of
Agriculture in New York receives
very liberal support without hesita-
ton. Country members are doing the
same, but we should expect that
much of them.
Last but not least, the railroads
have taken up soil improvement
While they may not reVolutionize
ton, their activities will have stimu-
lating effect. The chances are very
much in favor of finding out that
farm crops cost much more than they
supposed and they will, if honest in
their evidence expressed, say to the
consumer: Present prices do not
much more than cover cost of pro-
duction when figured and paid for
must give us all the figures, just as
we are doing from our School of
Agriculture farm. If we work at a
loss we say SO, and if profit arises the
same report is made.
The Power of the Grange.
Now to the point: We have today in
the country powerful organization
the Patrons of Husbandry. Many
tOWnSpeOple are mem berS, but the
control is absolutely in the hands of
fo fo nj Wi
no present or near future danger of
losing it. The mem bership is steadi-
ly increasing. The state officials are
| hard workers and are possessed of
single purpose In New York the
writer has been in close touch with
every member of the executive board
for many years. He knows these men
not only officially but personally.
Let me say without reserve that
their devotion is real, not of the
political sort; their ability the kind
that measures up and is wholesome,
commanding respect from the public
of whatever business or profession;
a cohesive force, free from petty
| made paramount to the main issue; a
recognized force for clean and pro-
gressive legislation at our state and
national capitals.
All of this is good and is commend
| ed The rank and file in the subor-
dinate oranges are loyal, and give
support to the larger movements of
the state leaders. This is also fortu-
nate. Not much to be desired would
| seem to be wanting. Not so, however.
The Subordinate Grange.
The greatest opportunity is present
| ed to the subordinate oranges to take
| on a solution of these local farm ques-
| lions. A solution of them would be
| the conclusion of the whole matter.
TIL average grange meeting, as it
| ohc hoC
| tertainment as it's cornerstone-es-
| says, recitations and readings, the last
mentioned being a most popular
method; a good, wholesome visit
which is the last part of the program,
because it drives away dull care, and
| the comforting of degrees, a very
necessary grange function. The
| business of running the order is
usually cared for promptly and in
| order; bills are paid and a salts
| factory report is read by the secre-
| tary. The lecturer is generally effici-
| ent, and does many hours work in
an effort to carry out the program
| before mentioned, for which there is
| ton.
The education which the subordi-
nate grange has received has confined
| its work within narrow limitations
1t must keep out of business and
politics Grange business experience
| has usually been disastrous, or at
least unsatisfactory for the reason
| that it was founded on the principle
that grange money had some peculiar
value and should receive more in re-
turn for a dollar than the money of
another. The urgent need for train
| ing in public speaking was respon-
sible for the present entertainment
methods. Now, all of these methods
were right when they were conceived,
but their day has to very great ex-
tent passed. [ do not say that the
day of entertainment has passed, but
| do say that it occupies an amount of
time and energy out of proportion to
the work which lies before US.
Cooperation in Farm Work.
The grange today contains many
first class business men who would
if they were as thoroughly organized
as that portion of the membership
who are able to entertain, become a
power for business enterprise.
The large business enterprises are
seldom the work of a single individ-
| ual Syndicates are everywhere ex-
cept in the country. mo sir! You run
your business and I will take care of
mine" Absolute indifference pre-
walls to the same opportunity which
has made the syndicate in the business
world a power-the use of neighbor-
hood bulls and stations making pos
sible the best animals at a nominal
cost, the organization of breeders
| associations in each grange; starting
COW test associations; the employ
ment of skilled men to construct and
supervise the work and farm manage
ment of given number of farmers
| who understand animal life and their
food and care.
What an inspiration would come
| into a community of a grange mem
bership would employ a travelling in
| Structor who would give advice in soil
handling, methods of fertilization,
drainage, etc. The value alone of a
rational method of oat sowing, fertili-
cation and grass seed seeding, follow
| ed out to the letter, would insure
clover catch and crop year after year,
and would more than pay the salary
of a skilled man.
The dairymen are carrying out this
plan in the cheese factories and