Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-08-18
"New England to the Front"
TOPIC OF PRINCIPAL ADDRESS AT
GRANGE FIELD MEETING.

Three or four hundred people attended
the field day of Oxford Pomona Grange
at the county fair grounds on Thursday.
The principal addresses Of the day were
by Charles NJ. Gardner OF Massachusetts,
a former master of the Massachusetts,
State Grange and now High Priest OF
Demeter in the National Grange, and U.
o. Purington of Bowdoinham, lecturer
of the Maine State Grange.
There was music for the day by the
Hebron Military Band, which had the
assistance of few players from Turner.
A number of selections were played 6y
them after the people had assembled in
the forenoon, this being all the program
before dinner. The time was enjoyed
socially.
A picnic dinner was eaten on the
grounds, coffee being made in one OF the
eating houses which was open.
Following the dinner the people gath
cred at the grand stand below the track,
and after music by the band, j. Il. Ed
wards, master of Oxford Pomona, called
the assembly to order and introduced
State Master C. S. Stetson OF Greene.
Mr.. Stetson made no address, but
greeted the people, referred briefly to the
good done by the grange field meetings,
and called a roll of the oranges repre-
sented in the audience, finding that there
were twenty-five oranges represented,
including two in Massachusetts,. de
then introduced Mr.. Gardner as the prin-
cipal speaker of the day.
Mr.. Gardner is an entertaining, earnest
and eloquent speaker, and for more than
an hour held his hearers to the closest
attention, though it was as he said q
hard headed and practical talk. he took
for his topic, New England to the
Front" and gave an optimistic and con-
yincing presentation of the reasons why
New England is coming and must come
to the front in agriculture. Horace
Greeley said, "Young man, 60 west!'
The young men Of New England needed
him. to the enrichment of the West but
to the injury OF New England, and 1t has
taken us two generations to get back
what we lost in this drain upon our pro.
ducipp population. Now New England
ia coming to the front because OF some
very practical things.
First, because we are BIZ close together
that we have wonderful opportunities
for comparison, for demonstration, for
experiment, and for fellowship. 1t is an
actual material asset, this opportunity to
get together, realized in its fullness only
W hen we practice real cooperation.
Again, because New England occupies
a peculiar position with regard to ship.
ming opportunities. The great bulk OF
the Pacific coast apple crop is two thou
sand miles and more :from Its market:
The great bulk of our New England
crops are only about twenty-four hours
from market. The orchardists OF the
Northwest are realizing this, and to-day
some of the shrewdest OF them are SELL
ing, not apples, but orchards.
Again, because of the wonderful Vari-
ety of New England products that are
possible. In show of Massachusetts
quality" in fremont Temple recently,
there were on exhibition 12l different
kinds of staple agricultural products
from 22O cities and towns Of the COM
monwealth. The regions OF the great
West produce one single staple crop:
Their agriculture is an agriculture OF
great quantity, ours Is an agriculture OF
high quality.
New England agriculture has great
possibilities. We have as yet only oeguo
TO see the possibilities in the line OF fruit
raising. And we have the land to WORK
With. Notwithstanding all the land un.
der cultivation, there are swamps that
NAV be drained, dry places that may be
irrigated, large areas now lying waste
that may be used to produce food for the
nations.
Mr.. Gardner closed with an eloquent
reference to the contrast between oul
land following the arts OF peace, ano
Europe engaged in needless war, tht
most awful that the world has ever seen
| Mr.. Purington devoted bis time prin
cinallv to the needs of the rural schools
which should have In the course some
thing that will be Of practical use to ths
boys and girls who are to stay on tnt
farms. These schools have to get aiont
with the services Of unframed teachers
who as soon a. they get little training
leave and 90 to some larger place because
of larger pay. The farms OF Maine hav'
besn abandoned for the factories OF th'
cities and the lands Of the West. Tn
problem before Us 10 to rehabilitate on
rnral life. To do this We must increas
the efficiency OF our country schools
Tbs ouestion Of funds 10 . problem. Tn
nresent systsm of distribution OF on
state common school fund 10 not salts
factory, It should be apportioned, no
a. now, partially on basis OF valuation
Int on the basis Of the number OF schoi
ara and the time they attend school.