662 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



FARMER MEMBERS WORKED TOGETHER. 



It is well to recognize the business manner in which the farmer mem- 

 bers of the last legislature proceeded to make their influence available 

 and useful. Perfecting an organization, as they did, was a proper 

 recognition of the power of counseling and acting together. To have 

 scattered their influence would have helped others and defeated them- 

 selves. It will be best for farmer members in future legislatures to thus 

 counsel together. 



CO OPERATION, THE BASIS. 



Co-operation being the foundation principle upon which our order is 

 built, it is incumbent upon all members to make a study of its far reach- 

 ing possibilities as applied to all the aims of life and especially such as 

 will help us financially, for upon financial success depends very largely 

 the degree of success we may attain and enjoy socially and influentially. 



To attain a reasonably high position in these as a class, is the greatest 

 incentive to labor. Thus it is but reasonable and good common sense 

 for farmers to employ all legislative assistance to these ends. We should 

 not be governed by sentiment, but by business facts. The man that 

 undertakes to make you believe that farmers are under special obliga- 

 tions on general principles, to certain persons and localities, preaches a 

 doctrine by which he himself is not very likely to be influenced or gov- 

 erned. 



The whole country is a market place and is open to the farmer, the 

 same as to other men. The farmer is under obligations to men and 

 localities only so far as he can reach better results in those directions. 

 Otherwise it is not only the unquestionable privilege, but the incumbent 

 duty of the farmer to look elsewhere and beyond. It can not be urged 

 upon farmers too strongly, the importance of ascertaining where are 

 located the markets in which to sell the highest and to buy the cheapest, 

 whether it be in the local village or the distant large city; also to study 

 and adopt such methods as will assist them in saving the greatest possi- 

 ble rewards from their labor. Co-operative action is the surest assist- 

 ance along this line. How best to proceed is worthy of your attention 

 and understanding. In this connection, attention is called to a book in- 

 dorsed by the National Grange, entitled, "How to Co-operate." It is 

 published by the Orange Judd Co v of Chicago, and gives detailed plans 

 of procedure along various co-operative lines. All works on this subject 

 should be studied and all possible information gained concerning it. It 

 is now the question of all others for farmers to understand. 



PURE FOOD. 



The Stan- Grange may look with satisfaction and pride upon the suc- 

 cessful and beneficial operation of laws governing the manufacture and 

 sale of food products in our state. The records will prove that the State 

 Grange was the first to formally advocate Pure Food regulations, and 

 to start an organized movement to have such laws enacted. The State 

 Grange may well consider it as one of its greatest achievements. From 

 small beginnings, both in appropriation and legal requirements, more 

 perfect regulations are being enacted ami enforced with the indorsement 



