94 



The cordial support, kind words and encouragement 



we have received at the hands of the many Patrons of this 

 and other Stales, -with whom we have been in communi- 

 cation, are certainly flattering, and though at times we 

 may have felt there were in many quarters more luke- 

 warmness than could prove of advantage to the best in- 

 terests of the Order, our spirits have been revived and our 

 courage sustained by those faithful and true Brothers who 

 have always been ready to maintain by words and deeds 

 the principle we advocate. 



At this period of our business history we stand with 

 many tried experiments; some satisfactory and others 

 unsatisfactory; some which have been tested to the fullest 

 extent; some which were confided to inexperienced hands, 

 and failed through the fault of the men and not of the sys- 

 tem; some in which the system proved defective, while 

 the men were earnest and active. In fact, attempts 

 towards the desired end with honest purposes and objects 

 in view have been made under ail kinds of conditions and 

 circumstances, and before we present to you an elabora- 

 tion of our views in this matter, we beg your indulgence 

 and attention for the introduction of the experience of 

 some who were and some who are still in the field, trust- 

 ing that the record thus made will prove of inestimable 



value for the guidance of the action of this State Grange. 

 * ■& * * * * ■* 



If time would permit an examination into the details 

 of the business of our Grange stores or co-operative stock 

 companies might well conn 1 in place; but detailed state- 

 ments would only occupy your time and tire your atten- 

 tion. It seems only necessary to state that to the best of 

 our knowledge and information every co-operative joint 

 stock association now in operation in the State, and con- 

 ducted on strict business principles, is doing a respectable 

 and paying business. This success is mainly attributed 

 to the correct application, in a small way, of the general 

 principles of co-operation, which properly applied, place 



