Norwich bulletin., 1913-10-09
WHAT GRANGE CAN DO FOR NORWICH
Subject Ably Treated in Paper by H. Branche Before Nor wich Grange-Patronize the Citys Fine Stores is One Thing, He Says-Entertaining Programme Given in Lecturers Hour

At its regular meeting in Pythiar hall on Wednesday evening, Norwich Grange, No. 172, Patrons ot HusDan- dry, had a programme which combined the practical and the entertaining, the former being contributed by a paper by Herbert R. Branche upon the topic What Can Norwich Grange Do for Norwich? I? and the latter in the merl- tOriOus programme of musical mum bers, readings and tableaux furnished,
 The suggestions from MT. Branche were given in his paper in part as foI- lows;
 Hundreds, yes! l might safely say thousands of similar organizations scattered through every state In thls great country of ours, are asking the very same question today. MerchantS assoCiat tiOns. Chambers of Commerce Boards of. Trade, Oranges, are all pom S5ering over the subject that you have asked me to solve for the grange here this evening.
 UpbuiIding of Farms.
 Truly it is a broad subject and one that is puZzIing men of far broader and brighter minds than l possess. To say that I was somewhat amused as gave a little thought to the subject scarcely expresses 1t for less than ten days ago 1t was my privilege to listen to a pro- lessor from Storrs college plead to the TDGTC12n1S at one or Iue1T inSStiuSS recently held in this city, earnestly inportuning them to lend their sup port to a movement that has already been started in this state a movement that has gotten beyond the experi- mental stage in the state of New fork. This is in soliciting the merchants of Norwich to cooperate with the state and with the college to help the farm CTS of Eastern Connecticut to help themselves.
 The proposition is this: The state of Connecticut through an act of it's legislature. has appropriated small sum of money. something less than $2,o00 and placed the same in the hands of the trustees of Storrs college to be used for the upbuilding of farms and the education of the farmers of East ern Connecticut along agricultural lines
 Briefly the plan is this: To open a sort of clearing house in this end of the state with a paid secretary in charge whose duty it shall be to get in touch with every farmer in New London and Windham counties. mak- ing soil surveys. advising what crops can best be raised on certain tracts of land to best advantage and just what the soil needs in the way of pertiliZa- GOn and in fact bringing to the tiller of the soil hereaboutS a specialist in agriculture, dairying fruit growing, poultry raising, etc, backed up with Ehe results of experiments covering a period of years and costing thousands of dollars to obtain and tabulate. The appropriation not being of sufficient amount 10 carry out the work in a manner the trustees feel would meet with success they have appealed to the Norwich Business Mems associa- ton for their cooperation and assist a1ce
 Assistance Of Business Men.
 They ask the business men to allow them the use of their association rooms for headquarters where their secre- taTY will be permanently located They ask us to appoint a competent man to canvass the entire district calling upon each and every farmer, explain ing the work and getting them to be- come members of the clearing house at an annual membership fee of $1 CO., They ask the merchants as business men to encourage the movement in every way possible, to OCca sionally all low lectures on farm topics at their They ask it of the mer- chants for the very reason that what best benefits the granger or farmer of Eastern Connecticut, corresponding