320 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Other means with in the order itself are established to be used for the 

 more effective training? of members in ])rogressive methods of Grange 

 work, and in imparting information and giving encouragement to dis- 

 cussions of vital subjects. 'Among these latter means the improved 

 county Granges of the present time rank first. 



One of the most popular questions in Grange meetings of every degree 

 has been that of primary reform. More resolutions came before the 

 State body favoring such a measure than upon all other questions com- 

 bined. 



The State lecture work has been continued with the end in view of 

 unifying programs throughout the Granges. The broad general topics 

 assigned by the lecturer of the National Grange have been incorporated, 

 one a month, into the programs suggested by the State lecturer. Into 

 the alternate xerogram an agricultural topic has been introduced. For 

 .the better study of the farm subjects, special bulletins have been pre- 

 pared by members of the Agricultural College faculty and sent out by 

 the State lecturer. These have met with great favor and have improved 

 the character of the real educational work done through the Grange. 

 Everywhere it is observed that more intelligent lecture hour work is 

 being carried into the programs of the local and county Granges. Each 

 session of State Grange undertakes to encourage the thought that the 

 lecturer is a teacher and therefore needs something akin to normal train- 

 ing in Grange methods and in ways of teaching agriculture. In addition 

 to the usual lecturers' conference, last December, there were given sev- 

 eral addresses on Grange and agricultural education which proved very 

 valuable along this line. 



The increasing membership and number of Granges have called for an 

 extension of supervision of the local work and a corps of special deputies, 

 accountable to one general deputy, has accordingly been appointed. 

 This is tending to strengthen and unite all the work and interest. 



Another new department is known as the bureau of information. This 

 aims to bring buyers and sellers into more direct contact through the 

 advertising medium of the Grange information bulletin and is proving 

 quite satisfactory. 



The former plan of State Grange making contracts with .wholesale 

 houses is maintained with increasing patronage. The Grange now has 

 a farm fence agency covering the State and its binder twine sales now 

 approximate 450 tons. 



Slowly, but surely, we trust this body of Patrons of Husbandry banded 

 together for self culture and the uplift of those in similar environment, 

 is raising the standards of work and living outside and inside the farm 

 homes of Michigan. 



JENNIE BUELL, 



Secretary. 



