Year: 1873

THE FARMERS, MOVING.


The farmers in many parts Of the coun-
try appear to be waking up to the import
ance Of union or cooperation, to protect
their interests. In Illinois the combina-
ton against the railroads extortionate
charges for freights on their produce, is
something formidable. In the South and
South west a steady movement is being
made through a secret organization termed
"granges." This organization is being
pushed steadily and earnestly through all
parts of the country, by forming State,
county and district lodges or oranges, and
may eventuate in considerable good.


The object of these movements, and of
the numerous neighborhood, county and
State agricultural societies, is to build up
a fraternity among the agricultural classes,
so that by concert Of action the power OF
the tillers of the soil can make itself felt and
respected in every branch of government,
and avenue of trade. The day Of chronic
grumbling among farmers is gradually CIV
ing place to movements to gain power, or
make the immense power Of the farming
interest felt, and not only felt, but predom-
mate in the country. The interests OF the
farmers are one, and when they have
formed closer alliances and conferred with
each other, the jealousy and ill-founded
suspicion which has always been a marked
feature in that class, will give way to a
higher intelligence, and self-rsliance and
trust in each other; and the great agrieul-
tural interest of this country will event
ually control the government. More study
and education, and less hard work posi-
bly-or the latter more judiciously applied
will finally work the great revolution
which will place the land owners and bread
raisers in the van of American politics.


The habitual dissatisfaction felt and ex-
pressed among farmers, at the hard lot and
light pay of the tillers of the soil, will
be changed when higher intelligence
obtains among them. For, however dis
tasteful the business-more on account OF
the impossibility Of acquiring great wealth
by lucky stroke, like those made often in
mercantile or mining pursuits-one thing
is certain, that great majority of the race
must be tillers of the soil. Among farm
ers wealth is divided; while none are very
rich, none present the squalor and abject
poverty which clings like canker to every


E. kbn% nil
lions Of men and women must inevitably
till the ground for their own, and the
bread of the world, is fast bringing the
rejecting minds among them to realize the
necessity of adopting system in their busl-
ness, as men in every other pursuit have.
They see that thousands of middle men
grow rich and prosper, handling and con-
trolling their produce. To devise means to
stop this and multitude of other abuses,
is what the leading minds among the farm
ers are now attempting to organize.


Again, = great deal Of labor is wasted
every year on the farm, by the imperfect
knowledge of them who direct the work.
This evil can, in great measure, be reme-
died by more enlightened system; sys-
tenn that is adapted to the locality, soil and
markets. To occupy higher plain in the
social and intellectual world is the destiny
of the future farmer; and this position
alone gained, will have immense weight in
.reconciling che farmer and the farmers
family to his business.


Neatness and economy are branches Of
knowledge our farmers are sorely in need
of, and which they cannot acquire too soon.
A slovenly, ill-kept place, with shabby
dwellings and grounds about it, are among
the most repulsive things that greet the
eye of the American farmer. A home de-
void of beauty becomes repulsive; while
one surrounded by the adornments which
art and nature combined are capable, with
little expense, of giving it, is spot which
becomes endeared to every member of the
family.


The movement at present going on among
the farming communities Of this country
has for its object the centering on the farm
and the country, the thoughts and affec.
tiens of them who dwell there; and whose
desOlate surroundings and gloomy pros
poets, cause such multitudes to yearn for a
change, and desert the country for the
town, too often to meet squalor and want
to which the country must ever remain a
stranger,