322 TRANSACTI0N8 OF THE KANKAKEE 



The knowledge of this truth is what leads to the formation of 

 the various "rings," "combinations'' and "leagues" with which we 

 are all familiar. And it is the knowledge of the strength of their 

 union which makes them so daring in their schemes. The trades 

 unions all over our country, though largely founded on false princi- 

 ples, are yet often able to accomplish their aims by their perfect 

 organization. Even the thieves have their system, and surely, honest 

 men may, and do follow their example in this respect. 



Having noticed the l)enefits derived from organization in the 

 way of executing plans, let us look at the benefits to be derived from 

 the same source. 



You will find some who sneer at those who are active in such 

 an organization as this, calling them fanatics. But there has never 

 been a reform or a great discovery in the world of science but what 

 the pioneers in the movement were termed fanatics. For instance 

 take the man whose natal day the whole civilized world are celebrat- 

 ing. So the term is one of honor rather than of reproach. But 

 why is it more fanatical to meet and discuss the best methods for 

 raising strawberries than to do the same with regard to school teach- 

 ing? 



" In union is strength,'' is as true of ideas as of anything else. 

 In an association like this the interchange of ideas is of great benefit. 

 Each one present can testify to the benefits received, though, perhaps 

 no two of them have been helped by just the same thing. In this is 

 shown the power for good of the Society as a Society. Perhaps the 

 one who wished to know about potatoes might meet no where else 

 the one who could give him the desired information, while thrown in 

 daily contact with the great raspberr}^ cultivator who could neither 

 help his neighbor nor be helped by him. But here the experience of 

 one can be made to do duty for all ; and if each contributes his small 

 item the total information will be great. The main question is, does 

 each profit by the experience of others as much as he might? Let 

 each then give his best thoughts, his most valuable information and 

 his experience on the subject under discussion, knowing that others 

 may be informed and saved from mistakes thereby. 



But if organization is so impoi'tant, will not a more thoroughly 

 systematized organization accomjjlish more work, with less labor by 

 the individual? Suppose each member of the association was to 

 agree to make a certain experiment, or a series of experiments on a 

 certain subject, then, when the results were compared, the informa- 

 tion gained by each member would be in exact proportion to the 

 number of members and the faithfulness with which each part was 

 performed. 



" No man liveth for himself alone," but perha])s the farmer and 

 fruit-grower live for others more than any other portion of mankind ; 

 for what says the poet : 



