Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-11-22

rssourcss Of Nainss Fist, ~ hsvs The
organisation. escond, ~ havs the mstn-
bsrship, vitalissd BY IN abiding ssnss Of
responsibility and keen desire 70 make
the organization leader in big construc-
tive work. Third, the grange ID farmsrs'
organization. The members ars msn and
women who ara the promoters Of the
basic and also the greatest industry in our
State. Given these conditions, the grange
may become = mighty factor in develop
ing Maine resources.
Agriculture il Names greatest iudus-
try. In the area controlled, amount in
vested, people employed, value Of pro-
ducts, intelligence and quality Of citizen
ship and the number of leaders 1t fur
nishes to the other walks Of life, the
farmers rank all other classes. We feel
the need Of better homes, moro service
able roads, more efficient schools more
helpful community spirit and . warmer
zeal for life at its best estate. Better
methods in agriculture will contribute
largely to giving Us these blessings.
I'm developing agriculture In Maine,
the same keen business foresight and
methods are necessary % are employed in
successfully developing any other trade OF
business. When We know where W are
ct, when we make the most OF our condi-
lions, when We employ know-so instead
Of . guess-so method, when, by business
principles, we find that we are in business
for the profit and not for the fun Of It, We
may be absolutely certain that We can
amplify and develop our business in
definitely and with the clear assurance
that the earnings will keep pace with the
development.
We are ct the beginning Of our possible
tiles for agricultural development. Maine
10 great In area, and its agricultural re-
sources. properly developed, will place M
in the forefront agriculturally. To dc
this We must buy less and produce more
In order to make our farms profita bic.
We must diversity our crops and crop no
more than we cultivate. We must be able
to systematize our work snd to calculate
intelligentiy on possibilities. We must
discountenance the credit system and
every system tending toward prodigality
and waste, and the grange may become q
leader in directing this work.
"The net profits derived from promot-
ing business, spell success to the promoter
and encourage the further development OF
that enterprise. The chasm between the
producer OF farm products and the con-
sumner, is too broad, and must be bridged
by intelligent, business-like cooperation
in selling and buying.
"InteIligent cooperative buying and
selling is fundamental principle in our
grange work. It is term applied to a
system OF united effort for commercial and
industrial purposes. 1t is the association
OF people for the management OF CONNER
cial interests and for the benefit OF those
SO associated. The advantages Of active
cooperation come in the lower prices paid
for articles used in the home and on the
farm and for the increased price received
by selling the products of the farm di-
rectly to the consumer. This is an age Of
great things.
'.The magnitude OF the agricultural in
terests Of this State has become house,
hold word. Agriculture proves an un-
failing resource to its promoters. II the
chasm between the producer and con-
sumner can be bridged, the results derived
therefrom will greatly enhance the at
Effectiveness of farm life. Intelligent and
profitable cooperative work in the grange
is practicable. Even in Maine we find
many instance proving the truth Of this
statement. And the grange may be q
factor in promoting more intelligent CO.
operation.
ROAD IMPROVEMENT.
1.-THE transportation question is OF vital
Importance to the farmer, and so far as
the getting Of the products OF the farm to
the consumer is concerned, 1t begins at the
farmers front gate. Therefore, better
roads are necessary in the developing Of
Names undeveloped resources. The
grange has an important part to play in
the work Of improving our roads.
1.-THE purpose for which roads are built
is commerce, not pleasure, and the sole
considerations that should have weight in
using the peoples money through federal,
state or local government appropriations
for road improvement, are commercial.
The commerce Of the nation begins at the
farm, and the people as = whole, not the
farmer alone, are vitality concerned in
transporting the produce Of the farm from
the farm to the consumer at the least pos
sible coast. The people are also vitality
interested in the secondary problems of
facilitating the transportation Of individ-
uals and the mails necessary to that COM
merce. This 10 the true basis of the peo-
pies common interest in road improve
ment.
1.-THE social betterment Of the farmer 10
his own concern, and the pleasure Of the
automobiles il his concern; neither is epa
titled to government aid. But to improve
the roads that are part of the highway for
the nations commerce is the concern Of
the whole people, and in these days of
rapid advance in the cost of living, how