428 STATE BOARD OP AGRICULTURE 



power that he was able to bring to bear instantly when its exercise was 

 called for. 



Dr. Miles kept up his habits of reading and study to the last days 

 of his life; but all public work was made difficult to him in later years by 

 an increasing deafness. He was tireless in investigation, patient^, and 

 always cheerful and looking for the bright side; and when one inquired 

 of him concerning his health, his usual answer was that he was ''all 

 right," or, if he could n,ot say that, that he would be "all right to- 

 morrow." 



No sketch of Dr. Miles is complete without a word of tribute to his high 

 personal character, his life pure and noble in every relationship, his 

 unswerving devotion to truth, and the unfaltering loyalty to his friends, 

 which make his memoiy a benediction and an inspiration to all who 

 knew him well. 



He was married in 1851 to Miss Mary E. Dodge, who remained his 

 devoted companion until his death, while occurred February 15, 1898. 



THE MICHIGAN STATE GRANGE. 



SECRETARY BUELL. 



The Michigan State Grange is the State union of 300 subordinate 

 Granges, with a membership of 12,000. That farming communities are 

 ready for organization is shown by the fact that in the year ending June 

 30, 1899, under the direction of State Grange, 47 new Granges have been 

 organized in various sections of the Lower Peninsula represented by 22 

 counties. 



There has been a gain of approximately 5,000 in the total member- 

 ship. Greater activity is observed along all the lines of eifort afforded by 

 the order. The year marks a decided advance in buying and selling to- 

 gether. Patrons' Mutual Fire Insurance Companies have been estab- 

 lished in several counties and others are in process of organizing. The 

 literary programs throughout the Grange from year to year evidence a 

 growth in thought and broadened grasp of general subjects of interest to 

 agriculturists in common with all citizens. 



