20 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



have seen in the hands of a careless or unskillful workman, 

 that they will hear of no reasonable explanation. Agents 

 knowing this will spare no pains to introduce his wares, 

 because, if his customer succeeds in discovering its merits, he 

 becomes infatuated with the article, and labors to see all his 

 neighbors supplied with the same. This is eminently so in 

 respect to sewin,2: machines and reapers. 



To succeed in making our purchasing a success, it is neces- 

 sary that the Executive Committee, with the State Agent, should 

 make a careful examination of implements and machinery 

 offered us, and adopt what they know to be the best, and can 

 recommend in price and quality. When this is done, such 

 information should be distributed with all possible dispatch to 

 the Granges, that orders can be made up without delay. They 

 should endeavor to make their choice at points from whence 

 goods can be shipped to advantage without incurring too much 

 expense in freights. Nearly every kind of implements needed 

 can be supplied from St. Louis, some middle part of the State, 

 and Chicago. While there may be a shade of difference in fac- 

 tory prices at these points, it will be overcome in the short 

 transportation. This would, to some extent, obviate the difficulty 

 experienced from the want of samples, as wares manufactured at 

 these points have their local territory, and are not unknown, 

 and at the same time give encouragement to home manu- 

 facture. 



We must not forget that the season is now far spent and that 

 do the best we can we must expec; maiiy of the annoyances 

 occasioned by our late beginning last year. The attempt - to 

 keep up a satisfactory trade directly from each Subordinate 

 Grange must be abandoned. It is impracticable, and only results 

 in discouragement to all concerned. If proper attention had 

 been given to the organization of a good system of purchasing 

 when the present one proved inadequate to our wants, we might 

 now be in good working order. What we have lost by experi- 

 menting, will require much labor to overcome. 



Local agents are now laying in their goods for the Spring 

 trade. If we succeed, we must present the same advantages they 

 do in having a line of samples. To effect this, there must be 

 sample and sale rooms opened at convenient points in every 

 county, and agents appointed to give the business their undi- 

 vided attention. They should sell to all farmers, although they 

 are not obliged to sell to those who refuse to unite with us at 

 the same price they sell to those who have invested their time 

 and money in our Order. All farmers need implements, and if 

 we refuse to supply them, we invite others to set up opposition 

 in every town. 



Our members must consider the sacredness of their relation 



