84 FARMEES' INSTITUTES. 



which is: organize, form farmers' organizations, or unite with those already 

 formed ; where you can discuss public policy, harmonize your views and 

 work intelligently together for your own protection and for the general good 

 of your country. You have a farmers' organization fully establislied, known, 

 as the Patrons of Husbandry, and if there is an individual present Avho is 

 prejudiced against that association or inclined to underestimate the good 

 that it is doing, 1 wish to say to him without fear of successful contradic- 

 tion, that the members of the Grange, though few in numbers compared to 

 the great mass of farmers are doing more to educate the farmer in his pub- 

 lic duties, to shape legislation in his' interests, to protect the farmers against 

 unjust claiuiants, and to make the occupation of farming as respectable as 

 any other busiiiess, Tliis organization meets with more opposition and ridi- 

 cule from outside farmers who ought to be wishing it God speed, farmers 

 that have been more or less benefited and protected by the Grange than it 

 does from men of otlier occupations. Business men understand the bene- 

 fits of organization and co-operation, and are well convinced of the fact that 

 where a number of persons are engaged in the same business or calling, the 

 welfare of each to a great extent is bound up in the good of all, hence they 

 pool their interests and co-operate for their mutual benefit. They respect 

 the farmer whose intelligence prompts them to make an eifort in the same 

 direction. 



Farmers should organize for the purpose of self-improvement, for devel- 

 oping the latent powers of the mind, not alone for himself but for tlie ben- 

 efit of his Wife, sons and daughters. I'hey could bring their ideas and expe- 

 rience in contact with ideas and experience of others and thereby acquire 

 that address, self-confidence and ability to intelligently expi'ess tlieir ideas 

 either in public or private, that is so essential in iufiueucing the alfairs and. 

 minds of men. 



The farmers' isolated manner of living makes something of this kind 

 more essential to him than to men of otiier callings whose business brings 

 them into daily intercourse with their fellow men, for it is by the contact of 

 individual minds that knowledge is acquired and increased. Farmers 

 should organize for the purpose of becoming moi'e proficient in the business 

 which they follow. They should bring their experiences of farm and house- 

 hold matters to a common centre, for a mutual exchange of ideas and to 

 receive new suggestions. Men of other callings do this, and why not the 

 farmers ? They should organize to aid each other in securing a first remu- 

 neration for the products of their labor and learn to make half of the 

 bargain in the business of life as do the merchants, the lawyers, the doctors 

 and the millers. 



Farmers, you have helped those organizations long enough. Is it not 

 about time that you helped to support the organization that helps support 

 you? You have been defended against the plaster monopoly, you have been 

 defended against several unjust claims for infringement of patent rights and 

 you have another claimant treading on your toes. It is the infi-ingement on 

 the spring tooth harrow, and in this matter you will not be defended by the 

 grange unless you are members. 



Take your wives, your sons and daughters with you into the Grange, 

 where they may have sociability, that will help to refine their lives, enlighten 

 their minds, and give them self-confidence. Teach your boys that tilling the 

 soil is not a low, menial calling, but that it is as honorable as any calling 



