658 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE GRANGE UNITES FARMERS OF ALL SECTIONS. 



It is worthy of mention, in the line of National Co-operation, that farm- 

 ers from different parts of our broad country, representing special local 

 interests, and belonging to different political parties, are fast laying aside 

 prejudice and are fast progressing in that line of education which demon- 

 strates that the great agricultural interests of our country are really one 

 and inseparable, and that common sense demands co-operative action. 



THE GRANGE IN MICHIGAN. 



The Grange in Michigan, during the past year, has been progressive 

 in all lines of its work. Eleven new and several re-organized Granges have 

 been added. Local Grange offieers have been more prompt in attendance 

 to their official duties, and I believe meetings have been conducted along 

 more systematic lines. These are my conclusions from the large amount 

 of correspondence that has passed, during the year, between the Master's 

 office and the subordinate Granges of the State. 



This correspondence covers petitions to the Legislature relative to pend- 

 ing questions, with accompanying letters, notices at various times of 

 special co-operative deals, with explanatory notes, special letters to all 

 Masters, Secretaries and Lecturers, regarding their official duties, and 

 communications to all the Granges, suggesting various beneficial matters, 

 such as May meetings, August picnics, Grange revivals, etc. 



As here expressed, constant communication has been maintained direct, 

 between the subordinate Granges and the Master's office during the whole 

 year. This plan has been adopted as the only sure way of reaching all 

 the members of every Grange. 



Many members, and I am sorrv to say, offieers. do not take the ''Mich- 

 igan Farmer," in which paper official communications are published. Then 

 there is much business with subordinate Granges of such nature that 

 publication in the Farmer would not be for the interest of the order. 



From experience, I am fully convinced that the correct system to fol- 

 low in communicating to Granges all matters of co-operative deals and 

 suggestions regarding helps in Grange work, should be seasonably and 

 often sent direct in private form to every Grange, and then, under the 

 regular order of "Communications," read to the Grange. If the officer 

 to whom the communication is sent does his or her duty, the whole sub- 

 ject matter is squarely before the Grange for consideration just at the 

 right time. 



CO-OPERATIVE TRADING. 



In the matter of co-operative trading, our members have taken in- 

 creased interest, as the Secretary's report of percentage received will 

 show. This feature of Grange work is, however, yet in its infancy. If 

 systematically perfected and executed, now thai if is fairly started, it may 

 be made of great benefit to all our members. I recommend this matter to 

 the careful consideration of the Executive Committee. 



