248 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



miles of our territory, — equal to the area of Massachusetts, 

 'Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Delaware, — 

 nearly one-half of the original thirteen colonies. The State 

 of Texas is largely attracting this foreign capital. Land 

 agents and surveyors are busy locating and securing lands 

 for them. What the future developments will be are 

 watched for with interest. But this certainly is a question 

 demanding concerted action by farmers to have such laws 

 enacted as to prevent large holdings by aliens. This is not 

 the only land question before the public to-day. There are 

 others of equal interest and import, but this is sufficient for 

 our subject. 



Following these questions we see that the farmer requires 

 to co-operate with others, his immediate neighbors, for small 

 items of personal business. With his neighborhood or 

 section for the sale of staple crops and large purchases ; and 

 for State legislation, and beyond that, he should in some 

 manner co-operate with the farmers of the entire nation to 

 secure just and equitable laws whereby he may be protected. 

 Thus the foundation of the business is secured and made 

 permanent. 



I am aware that thus far I have talked at the su])ject in a 

 general way, and have not offered any plans by which co- 

 operation can be carried on in the complete manner it should 

 be. My duty on this occasion is to present practical plans 

 to your knowledge, and I should fail in that duty were I to 

 leave my subject here, — as many do who insist upon re- 

 form, — but offer no plans by which to carry it out. 



Some twenty.years ago, an order was devised and syste- 

 matized for this very purpose of aiding the farmer to aid 

 himself, by educating him in business and general informa- 

 tion, by promoting his social welfare, and assisting him in 

 the necessary purchases and sales incidental to his condition. 

 Its projectors named it the Grange, or in other words, the 

 farm. In the short period of its history it has proved itself 

 to be the most practical of the beneficial orders in existence. 

 Simply stated, it consists of subordinate granges, which are 

 local in their action. These by representatives form a State 

 Grange ; and all State granges by representatives form the 

 National Grange. A number of subordinate granges may 



