470 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



as to the needs of others. Here again he needs a farm organization where 

 he and his family can meet with freedom and ease, and while cultivating 

 sociability can secure mental culture. 



Without further arguments all agree that the farmer needs to organize, 

 and without any hesitation we say The Grange is the best organization. 

 Its Declaration of Purposes is as fine a document as we have ever seen 

 written by man. Its application to farm life and the fine sentiment con- 

 tained cannot be surpassed. With its existence of over fifty years, in 

 which time it has met the surveillance of every opposition, it has not been 

 found wanting in any particular. It has stood the test, while many other 

 organizations which have sought to improve upon it have met with disaster 

 and ruin. The plan of The Grange is right in being made coexistent with 

 the needs of the farmer, having an organization in the township, county, 

 state and nation, whereby it is able to serve him in every sphere. Any- 

 thing short of this is deficient. . 



The Grange may be called the liberator of the American farmer's wife, 

 as it was the first organization that gave to woman the same rights and 

 privileges as are enjoyed by man. In doing this it has not only turned on 

 the radiant light of hope for her, but it has strengthened the union of both, 

 .has created deeper love for home, and given inspiration for better 

 thoughts, nobler deeds and higher aims for the future. Men need more 

 of the refining influence of women. There is nothing that so refines a 

 man as a good woman, and no audience, association or organization with 

 woman eliminated can be so modest, so refined or so complete as with 

 women in it. 



There is nothing equal to The Grange in giving opportunity to the boys 

 and girls on the farm. Here the latent ablity of the boy is awakened 

 and hope engendered until we see him developed into a fuller and more 

 complete man. In doing so he takes greater pride in his work, more 

 interest in the farm, and his attachments for it are increased many times. 

 The girl, now, has opportunity and her genius brightens, while her 

 refined nature responds readily with graceful manners and a greater 

 affection for all that is near and dear to her. 



The agricultural education of the farmer has been sadly neglected, and 

 the results obtained in this direction are among its grandest achievements. 

 The Department of Agriculture, Experiment Stations, the Mechanical and 

 Agricultural Colleges, bear testimony of this fact. In many localities con- 

 solidated and high schools have been established and a better condition of 

 common schools fostered by the efforts of. The Grange, while within The 

 Grange a knowledge and discipline has been imparted that has gained 

 for farmers a prominence that was unknown before. Men have been 

 fitted thru the Grange for the press, for the platform, for the caucus, 

 for the assembly and for statesmen. Truly The Grange is the practical 

 high school for the farmer and his family, as it gives strength and culture 

 to those who were not able to secure them elsewhere. 



The impress of The Grange upon its members has a great influence 

 for good. It makes better men and better women and incites all to a 

 higher place in life. It teaches Divinity in all things, and a Grange is 

 never properly opened or closed that each member does not pay tribute 

 to his Creator. 



