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148 CHAPTERS IN RURAL PROGRESS 



As an educator on public questions the Grange 

 has done a noble work. At nearly every meeting 

 in this country, some topic of public concern is 

 brought up by essay, talk, general discussion, or 

 formal debate. The views of the "village 

 Hampdens" may not always be economically 

 scientific or scholarly. But it might surprise 

 many people to see how well read the members 

 are and how clearly they can express their ideas. 

 Their discussions are not seldom informative, 

 and that they make public opinion in rural com- 

 munities is beyond cavil. The persistent advo- 

 cacy of specific reforms has directed the thought 

 of the members toward the larger issues that so 

 often rise above the haze of partisan politics. 



The order has prepared the soil for adequate 

 agricultural education. While the agricultural 

 colleges formerly had many enemies among the 

 farmers, and received scornful opprobrium from 

 those whom they were endeavoring to help, al- 

 most without exception the Granges have praised 

 the colleges, welcomed their work, and urged 

 farmers to educate their sons at these institutions. 

 Farmers' institutes, the agricultural experiment 

 stations, and the federal Department of Agri- 

 culture have been equally welcomed by the 

 Grange sentiment. The Grange has always 



