109 



of the victim of the needs of both, as occurs under com- 

 petition." 



The world has never before seen an organization fraught 

 with such grand possibilities of carrying out a scheme so 

 laudable and noble in itself as is involved in this principle 

 of co-operation, as taught in the Grange. Indeed, this 

 principle is the very foundation, the chief corner stone of 

 the whole structure. Take this away, and what have we 

 left? We call the attention of our members to the fact, 

 that all the progress we have made up to this time is at- 

 tributable to our observance of this principle; and that 

 our progress has not been greater, is because of a neglect 

 of its observance. Every intelligent Patron who has 

 thought on this subject at all, must admit this. The greatest 

 obstacle that we have had to contend with has been, that 

 our people have not yet been able to see clearly the power 

 and value to them of the principle, and not being in pos- 

 session of a clear and well denned plan of its application. 



The plan adopted by the ninth session of the National 

 Grange was an important step in advance. Our 

 people hailed it with delight, and many eagerly 

 sought to utilize it. But in the absence of definite in- 

 structions, and blank forms and account books adapted to 

 the system, in many instances different constructions 

 were placed in those rules, which has sometimes lead to 

 delay or trouble. This is not to be wondered at, nor is it 

 a cause of discouragement. The want of business know- 

 ledge and experience among so many of our people, 

 cause most of these differences. To enable them to adopt 

 the system, it must be made very plain, and all possible 

 instructions should be given. 



Another difficulty presents itself in some of our States, 

 in the corporate laws therein. With a little further exper- 

 ience we may be able to overcome these. 



Your Committee would recommend that the National 

 Grange have prepared a set of account books and all 

 necessary blank forms adapted to co-operative stores 



