164 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



money for its support, autl active and wise in seeing to its expenditure. He must 

 liave a pleasant and attractive school house and yard, suitalde apparatus and books, 

 etc., and a competent person in charge of all to see to the proper enforcement of 

 discipline and the moral and intellectual interests of the scliool. The work of the 

 teacher should be reinforced by the support and encouragement of the parents and 

 school officers. 



Then he has his duties toward his township, which he should attend to faith- 

 fully and conscientiously, and if he should be called upon to hold any official 

 position he should be ready and willing to attend to it, even if it should involve 

 some sacrifice on his part. Usually public offices, especially if there is any con- 

 siderable remuneration accompanying them, do not go begging; but there are 

 those which have little honor and small compensation that are quite important to 

 the public welfare, and should be filled with the men who will do the best for the 

 public. 



The same is true of all the various political offices— national, state and county. 



To this end, a farmer should be a wide thoughtful reader, not only of farm- 

 ing topics but of current events, history, politics, religion, education, and 

 l^hilosophy. He should read much and think much. 



Wiith most of us the time has passed for getting what is called an education. 

 We are too old to begin to learn many things of a fundamental character. We can, 

 however, make up very mucli by a wise use of our time in the little that remains 

 to us. 



CO-OPERATION AMONG I ARMERS. 

 HENRY L. DRAKE, Tawas City, at TOSCO COUNTY Institute, Tawas City. 



Although farmers and those depending upon tliem form nearly one-half of the 

 whole population, there is not any class who have less to say in immediate legis- 

 lation; less power to demand equality or less influence in shaping the destiny of 

 the State. 



In this State, as well as others, corporations and trusts do not stand still. 

 They are aggressive. They seek to control representation, influence and power iu 

 State councils, in order to secure advantages over others. They are not producers 

 of wealth, but gather their truits from others' toil. 



These things should not be. How can we prevent them? When corporations 

 desire a good thing for themselves they co-operate. We should learn to do the 

 same. They work together for greed and self. We should take a higher plane. 

 Their co-operation cannot be lasting; ours should be. 



In considering co-operation, we have three plans, with their illustrations: First, 

 co-operation under the control of a department or chief, guided bj'^ law, as illus- 

 trated by our postoffice system. Think how millions of people are cheaply and 

 justly served by it. Are you willing to go back to the old plan of private delivery 

 of letters, papers, and small parcels? Why cannot our produce be collected and 

 delivered to consumers under a similar system? Second, In our common schools 

 we have an illustration of co-operation under law, administered by department 

 and combined with "mutuality," as shown in the various powers given or retained 

 by school districts. Are you ready to go back to the old system of parental and 

 private teaching? AVliy should we not have a similar system under which our 

 children could learn a trade or farming? Third, In the Grange Ave have co- 

 operation under "mutuality" only; and of those Avho have tested the benefits of 

 such an association, I will ask, are you ready to disband? 



From these illustrations we can see that true co-operation is of slow growth. 

 It must be learned by study, trial and experience, like any other branch of farm- 

 ing. There are two basic principles under true co-operation, which, if properly 

 heeded, will help us on our Avay: 



THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN. 



Having these in mind, we Avill turn away from all plans which have self only 

 •in view. Time Avill not allow me to mention all the ways in which we can co- 

 operate for mutual good; I Avill mention a few which have been tried and proved. 



We can co-operate in buying and using farm machinery; in buying and dis- 



