The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-01-09
E. Fl. DILLON & co.

advance our. cause, by laboring to ac- complish the following objects: to de- velop a better and higher manhood and womanhOod among ourselves; to enhanse the comfort and attractions of our homes, and strengthen our at tachment to our pursuits; to- foster mutual understanding and co-opera- laws. We propose uniting together, and in general acting together, for our mutual protection and advancement, we shall constantly strive to secure entire harmony good will, vital broth erhood among ourselves, and to make our order perpetual"
 We must remember that agriculture is the foundation of our order and the which underlies It's successful practice must form an essential part of our work Just how far the consideration Of questions that relate entirely 10 the cultivation of the soil. the grow Gng and marketing of crops, may De carried without weakening the struc- ture. is uncertain. Agrtculture is not only a business it is a peculiar meth cd of living. The farm and the home are one and inSeparalble- In building for one we must build for the other, and neither can reach it's best estate except as the other is nourished and maintained at a high degree of per- lection. I am of the opinion that these fundamental matters should be blended, as far as possible, into pro, grams Nthat carry sections of general interest, or some special feature that has value for that portion of the membership which may not just then be greatly interested in them, but whose presence In the meeting and in terest in the programs are necessary if the grange is to continue its good work after those who now constitute its active working membership have passed out It may be that special occasions may be used for the full discussion of these matters; being sure to see to 1t that they are presented in a manner that shall be attractive rather than tiresome The old fash toned Farmers Club did a most ad- n1irable work. They could discuss these fundamental questions at all fills a far wider field of educatio on than they did, and can only compass dts full mission by carefully covering all the principles it stands for.
 The scope of its membership shows concfusively the broad nature of Its teachings; and carries with 1t prom ise of work that shall interest aH.' would ttncreaee our knowledge Of the Fundamentals of agriculture, through a fuller appreciation of the benefits to be derived from the investigations Of Experiment Stations, from the teach ings of the Colleges of Agriculture, from the Farmers Institutes, and the efforts of the various extension de partrnents. T would have instruction that comes. along these NneS, couched in attractive language, forcibly and have a practical knowledge of the sub ject treated. I would take full cog nizance of the efforts of those who have -pneceded us and acknowledge our great obliEations to them for their self acrificing efforts. May none of the pioneer members of the grange ever leave a meeting feeling that their time there has been wasted, or that fhax @ m T7fad or rRQdQ0 M4V due .deference ever be paid to their wishes, and due consideration ever be given to their judgment.
 Next should come the consideration of ouestions relating to the welfare of. the home We read: A well or dered household is essential to a happy home, and without a happy home no farm is. truly a. success" No one should ever forget that the farm homes of the State constitute the foundation from which spring the most potent influences that count for nor a,ity, financial progress and good cit izensf1ip. Our most devoted efforts should be put in their upbttlding. The grange halls, scattered all over our State, are. counterparts of these homes, and within them may be taught those grand principles of homemaking which give a reality to our lives. and permanency to our order. Woman holds an equal sway with her brother in the ruling and managing of our order, and her special province Of homemaking must be recognized.
 A good lecturer first seeks. as far as possible, the personal acquaintance of their membership, studies their qua 'fNc cations and their adaptability to perform the work asked of them; re- membering that no one accepts kindly unless given in the right. spirit. The members should also refnember that .continaaI. complaint encourages no one. Have you noticed that lfhose who com plain the most are the ones who are k- k1,e 1anc ck0 KN .rsf1r r., ere your lecturers, drop them kind word: say to, them, That was a good program, well carried out, and see what an incentive it will be to them for the next meeting. In a grange that is alive, whose members are ready to respond to any call. the po- sstion of a lecturer Is one of real pleasure but in a grange where the harinony does not prevail there is a lecturers, true metal and leadership shown. I
 During the year it has been my
 pleasure to visit many of the subor-
 dfnate and Pomona meetings, at the invitation of their lecturers, and I have accepted these invitations when ever possible. In the early part of
 the year I installed the officers of
 eleven granges, and. at the request of the Worthy Master, have inspected
 him. During the month of August, twas my privilege to visit all but
 one of the Field meetings held in our
 own State. also one in Massachusetts, and one in Rhode Island. This is one of our most successful means ot
 maintaining public interest in our or der, and bringing its principles and benefits to those who are outside our gates Some of these meetings were held upon the farm homes of our mem bers,. which I believe is the ideal place for these gatherings. as the l nearer we can get to our Brother and lister Patrons, and their h3me life | the better the results.
 l have mailed during the year nearly one thousand circular letters and cir l culars, besides two hundred and forty
 personal letters.
 desire to mention here my appre- ,iation of, the assistance the State | Board of Education has rendered the l grange through its lectures, by the | lse of the circulating libraries and the
 antern slides and lectures. Many
 testimonials of the help they have rend cred have been received
 ! also desire to thank all the lectur-