Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-09-12

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-THE
National Grange, the pioneer farm
organization of the United States Is
increasing it's activities in an inter-
esting manner. This body rises to
prominence whenever any emergency
faces the farming community. Ex-
listing low prices of the products of
the farm constitute such an emer-
lgency. In addition to bringing pro-
posals for betterment of farmers
conditions to the attention of Con-
sress, the Grange is increasing its
activities in the direction of orgaa-
~ization and elGoation. One Of The
most striking things which has been
done is the organization of State
IG1ange motor tours.
The various state oranges are anil
lated with the national body just as
the state governments have a gener-
al relation to the Federal Govern
ment.
There recently came to Washing
ton a ravan OF over a hundred
automobiles filed with about four
hundred farmers. Descending one
afternoon on the National Capital,
this caravan %encanlped on the broad
spaces of parkland in Potomac Park
u little south of the Washington
Monument and the Lincoln Memoir
ial. 1t was the largest automobile
caravan that ever had arrived here
in a body with the exception of the
visitors and delegates to the Shrlners
Convention last June.
The was made UP entirely
of the Michigan Grange. 1t repre-
scented a part of the efforts of the
state grange organization to get
the farmers together. To be sure
the trip was a pleasure trip in large
part, but 1t also served to show the
Michigan farmers a large section CT
the country n to give them an
opportunity to gather much valuable
information. At various cities an
route to Washington they cataped and
held meetings, being addressed by
leaders of the various communities.
Washington vas their mecca and
they received a cordial welcome.
While encamped in Potomac Park
they held what were called camp
fire meetings. Each evening dur
ing their stay. they lit campfres at
dusk and spent the evening in dis
cussing among themselves and in
hearing discussed by others the out
standing problems of the farmer.
Addressed BY officials
Secretary of Agriculture Wallace
stood before the Michigan grangers
in the Pickering light of their fires
and told them all he could about
the work the Department Of Agri-
culture is doing to improve the po-
sition of the American farmer. Othec
officials Of the Department-special-
lists in grain, dairying, livestock and
all other branches-also addressed
them and gave them a world Of in
teresting and valuable information
about their problems.
Not only was farming discussed
from the pdrely horticultural point
OF view, but farm credits, grain
storage, w%arehousing, insect pests,
experimentation and many other
subjects of scientific and practical in
%terest were fully explored and IL
Illuminated by experts and practical
men.
Doubtless the Michigan grangers
got more information from Washing
ton officials who talked to them
than from others. but in various
places along the line of their trip,
they found state and county officials
and agricultural experts to talk to
them. In the ancient days of Greece
there was established a peripetetic
school. The pupils strolled abou:
the groves of Attica's hills list ming
10 the discourse of learned men and
mbibing loarniag. The oranges con-
~st.tute a poripete.ic school OH q
larger scale. Tney proceed about
the country in automobiles, hearing
at each evenings camping place. the
most interesting things that the COM
rIUnity has to offer.
Next year it Is planned to have
/, the National Grange CONDUCT such
a tour. Delegations from the various
state oranges are expected to join
tho automobile caravan. The camp,
fires will be like tn ose Of an arm,
and more farmers than ever befo"'
will be brought into contact witt
what the outside world is doing II
I their industry.
The National Grange tour doubt
less will be Planned along the lin a
/ successfully laid down by the Michi
Fln Grange. The Michigan cara
van proceeded under a dull,
chosen leader who ms ntained
se%mi-ndlitary organization. TIL.
Iroute Of travel was carefully mappe'