FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 69 



already- on a commendable basis and as a whole they are noted for their 

 conservatism and fairness. I believe that all will agree with me that 

 this nation will not go far in the wrong- if its policies and laws are 

 Tv'holly dictated by the farming population, and further it would be a 

 safe guide for any state politician or public servant to follow, if he act in 

 line with the expressed wishes of the farmers of our State as reflected 

 by them through their organizations. 



If all these essentials necessary to keeping farmers up to the full 

 requirements of the progress of the day cannot be attained by the isolated 

 farmer through individual etfort (and in the light of the events of the day 

 this point must be conceded by all), then the need of organization among 

 farmers is established. Through organization and associated effort this 

 scattered people must be brought together in some deliberative form. It 

 is hardly supposable that farmers should halt to question their right to 

 organize, for this method of promoting the welfare and interests of all 

 lines of business, professions and of sameness of belief is accepted by all. 

 Organization is the great promoter of the day for good or for evil in 

 accordance with the character of the object to be attained through its 

 potent influence. 



Eegarding the possibility of organization among farmers in this coun- 

 try it is to be remembered that the past 35 years has been an 

 era of experiments along the line of a solution to this part of 

 our question. As far back as 1723 an open farmers' organi- 

 zation known as ''The Improvers in the Knowledge of Agri- 

 culture" was formed in Scotland. A similar society was formed in Ire- 

 land in 1744. The first organization of this kind in England was in 1777. 

 These organizations were primitive in regulations and objects. They did 

 not seek to better the condition of the man himself, and it is doubtful if at 

 that time an organization would have been permitted which sought further 

 objects than a better cultivation of the soil. The first farmers' society in 

 America was "The Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture," 

 organized in 1785. From this time on during the next 20 years various 

 agricultural societies were formed throughout New England with various 

 degrees of success, but all of them failed after a few years of duration or 

 were merged into other societies having broader objects in view to meet 

 advanced conditions of the times. These early American efforts were 

 also confined to farm matters, and not until 1806 was any effort made 

 among farmers to organize for the promotion of not only their farming 

 methods but their social, educational, financial and influential interests 

 as well. At this time Mr. O. H. Kelly, owning a farm in Minnesota, and at 

 the time employed in the department of agriculture, was commissioned 

 by President Johnson to make a tour of the south to collect data relative 

 to its agricultural and mineral resources. He found the country strug- 

 gling to recuperate from the effects of the war. The planters and farmers 

 were few in numbers and scattered with but limited means of carrying on 

 their vocation. Under these conditions Mr. Kelly sought for a plan to 

 unite for practical cooperation the agricultural" societies then existing. 

 As he matured his thoughts he asked himself why not the farmers both 

 north and south unite and work for their mutual interests in general. 

 Mr. Kelly's ideas were presented to others and resulted in the organiza- 

 tion of the National Grange Patrons of Husbandry on the fourth day 

 of December. 1807. The organization was perfected at the oflSce of Wm. 



