Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-18

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Quite few Oranges have discussed
the sending of their lecturers to the
State Grange and some have voted to
do so. | wish the matter might be
taken up by the State Grange at this
session, either by resolution or by
formal vote on some measure. The
lecture work needs much extension.
Grange interest wanes because of
lack of it. A broader system would
be one of our greatest helps.
Pomona Oranges.
Again l urge that more prominence
be given our Pomona meetings They
are the uniting link between the State
and the Subordinate Grange. They
bring together people from quite ex-
tended area and from every Subordin-
ate Grange within their jurisdiction
Pomona meet inss SHOULD be made to
represent more than the comforting of
the degree. although this should oc-
cupy a prominent position in the pro-
gram. They should be made to repre-
sent something more than the social
hour. although this must not be for
gotten. They should give something
to every one present to be carried
back to the Subordinate Grange, that
shall be inspiring. that shall tend to
improve the work and increase Grange
sentiment. They should have an in
fiuence in bringing in new members
and extending the influence of the
Oranges to the general public. / wish
to commend very highly the work of
some of our Pomonas in this direc-
ton.
There are thirty Pomonas in Maine
with total membership of 2S,500.
have visited % of these Pomonas dur
ing the year and I'm every one of the
meetings vital questions have been
discussed and / have found a desire
on the part ofilPomona Lecturers to
discuss every question that relates to
the welfare of the farmer as citizen
They appear to realize fully that the
questions of vital Importance today
are not those that have been settled
by the events of Yesterday, but those
that are as yet unsettled and on which
there must be real differences of
opinion.
Conference of Lecturers.
On February 10Th by direction of the
State Master, I attended conference
of the New England State Grange
Lecturers, held in Springfield, Mass.
All of the Lecturers were present and
gave outlines of their work, together
with plans for work in the future.
The NationaI Lecturer was present
and spoke at length on a general plan
for conducting Grange programs. His
idea is that the Lecturers work should
be carried 20 as n1anySof the members
of Grange families as possible. He
believes in Ssthe establishment of mo-
theirs rooms and rest rooms in con-
nection with Grange halls and says
that no mother should ever be re-
quired to remain away from Grange
meeting because of having children to
care for that are too old to be allowed
to remain through business session
of the Grange and too young to leave
alone. He would bring them all to the
Grange meeting and thus form the
habit of associating the Grange hall
with their daily life.
Fruit Exhibitions and Fairs.
Far more Oranges have held fruit
exhibitions and fairs than last year.
Many of these exhibitions have includ-
ed all farm products and have been
very instructive and useful. The
friendly spirit of competition thus
aroused has done much to stimulate
effort and create, interest. in, the farm
and the Grange. I'M Several Instances
special prizes have been given for ex-
hibits by boys and girls and Of work
done in Schools. This movement is
worthy of special commentator and
it is to be- hoped that it may be adop-
ted by still more Oranges the coming
year.
Boys and Girls Clubs.
The Boys and Girls Clubs founded
last year have kept their organization
and interest, and although the work
in some cases has Jagged, there is ev-
cry reason to believe that it will be
continuedl with increased effective
ness nexttseason. In addition to those
formed last year others have been
formed at East Corinth, Garland and
Dexter. The Club at East Corinth has
done much progressive work in plot