THE STATE GRANGE. tit>9 



strengthen the order througout the state. You are honored with seats 

 in this body to devise ways and means to this end. May the thousands 

 of Patrons,* all over our state, refer to this session of the State Grange 

 with satisfaction, because of the good done. 



GEO. B. HORTON. 



Hon. J. H. Brigham, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, was present 

 and addressed the grange, his chief topic being the work of the National 

 department of agriculture. He credited the grange with first urging the 

 establishment of the department of agriculture. The chief items of the 

 department's work which he mentioned were: A more systematic sys- 

 tem of crop reporting; the gathering of information which will lead to 

 the manufacture of our own beet sugar in this country; the stamping out 

 of animal diseases; the extension of the world's markets for our agri- 

 cultural products; and the suppression of counterfeit products of all 

 sorts. 



Judge Rainsdell offered a resolution commending the Department of 

 Agriculture for its work. 



E. B. Ward, overseer, reported strong and active work in the grange 

 and recommended that the county deputy system be pushed vigorously 

 by men of special training. 



Lady Assistant Steward Robertson made a vigorous plea for more equal 

 property rights for women. The M. A. C. brass band furnished the 

 music and the grange voted to visit the college Wednesday afternoon. 



Miss Jennie Buell, the secretary, reported the total receipts for the 

 year at $4,039.39, a gain over last year of $397.22; and disbursements 

 $ 3,911.54, or $74.91 less than last year. Twelve new granges were organ- 

 ized and seven reorganized during the year. 



Wednesday morning Miss Edith F. McDermott spoke of the depart- 

 ment of domestic science at the Agricultural College, and Mrs. J. L. K. 

 Haner spoke of the work in the sewing room. 



Jason Woodman, lecturer, reported three months work in the field dur- 

 ing the year. He urged the necessity of putting the work and objects 

 of the grange before the farmers. He urged the enforcement of the oleo 

 law. 



Sister Knight Ceres, in her report, dwelt upon the beauty of home life, 

 especially the importance of the husband and wife working together. 



Miss Estella Buell, Pomona, spoke of the influence of fruit culture in 

 the development of character. Assistant Steward Robinson reported the 

 benefits of education and co-operation; in Newaygo county they have a 

 purchasing agent for the granges, and are carrying out in a practical and 

 successful manner the principles of the grange in the matter of co-opera- 

 tion. 



The treasurer submitted his report, which was practically a recapitula- 

 tion of the financial part of the secretary's report. Mrs. Mary A. Mayo, 

 the chaplain, in her report dwelt upon the necessity of moral and religi- 

 ous instruction in our public schools. 



Wednesday afternoon was spent in visiting the Agricultural College, 

 and all seemed pleased with the condition of affairs. 



Wednesday evening a union meeting was held with the State Associa- 

 tion of Farmers' Clubs. President Daniels of the farmers' clubs presided 



