10 April, 1916.] The SaciaJ Side of Farm Life. 237 



days," in most cases they knew no other life, but here we are con- 

 fronted by those who know of other things. A notable example of what 

 may be done to make the rural life brighter and more attractive is 

 furnished by the National Grange of the United States. The Order 

 of Patrons of Husbandry, popularly known as the Grange, was founded 

 in 1867, and has been in existence almost fifty years. It reached the 

 height of its power in 1874, and afterwards declined in influence, and 

 was in the shadow of obscurity until 1880. Since then it has steadily 

 recovered, until to-day it is said to have a membership of 1,500,000. 

 Its temporary collapse was largely due to its endeavour to play a part 

 in the " maelstrom of American politics," and its recovery dates from 

 the time when it began to confine its attention chiefly to various phases 

 of the rural betterment movement. 



The aims of the Grange to-day are mainly in the direction of social 

 amelioration and the dissemination of agricultural knowledge. It also 

 takes a keen interest in all educational matters. Its activities include 

 picnics, or dances, where refreshment® and all kinds of entertainments 

 are furnished, and where the families of farmers learn to know one 

 another. One of the officers of every Grange Lodge is the lecturer, 

 whose business it is to provide for lectures, papers, and discui'sious, or 

 all sorts of agricultural and other subjects. The idea with modifications 

 to suit local conditions may be recommended to our farmers. In 

 countries like this, where population is sparse, and homesteads are 

 placed at great distances from one another, the head of the household 

 is apt to forget that, while his own constant occupation with farm work 

 and his keen interest in the developmeiit of his property are sufficient 

 to keep him busy and contented, the same does not always apply to 

 the women folk and young people. They feel the monotony and loneli- 

 ness of rural life. No woman will be happy who does not have reason- 

 able opportunity for intercourse with other women. Young people 

 cannot be expected to settle contentedly in a life where they cannot 

 mix with others of their own age. Perhaps the aims of the American 

 Grange are too ambitious for us to imitate, but it would be an excellent 

 thing if social gatherings of farmers were much more general and 

 frequent than they are at present. The installation of tlie telephone 

 from homestead to liomestead, the establishing of a farmers' club, where 

 both men and women could become members, and definite efforts for 

 making the present meetings of farmers' associations more useful and 

 attractive, are some of the means whereby salvation could be wrought. 

 Papers by members, with discussions, as well as lectures by experts, 

 might be more often arranged, and other members of the family, be- 

 sides the farmer himself, might be encouraged to attend, with advan- 

 tage in the social direction. Too frequently three or four farmers travel 

 long distances to meetings, only to find the attendance so small, and 

 the agenda ]>aper so uninteresting, that tliev feel the time has been 

 almost wasted. An interesting exam])le of what might be done is 

 afforded bv the Nhill Pastoral and Agricultural Society which conducts 

 "Farm Coiii])e< it ions " every year with advantage to all concerned. 

 Perhaps it is siiffiriont to throw out the idea, and if fanners think it 

 over, and are satisfied that there is something in it. they are (jnite 

 capable of evolving ])lans to put their wishes into effect. 



In many districts the machinery and engine are there, the fuel 

 liowever is lacking. A competent secretary as engine-driver will ^oon 

 have the wlieels of social life moving. 



