286 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



the tillers of the soil. The whole story of the Grange in- 

 dicates unmistakably that it is a growth rather than a con- 

 trivance. Its seed thought is that of brotherhood. This 

 was enlarged to take in the idea of sisterhood as well. Is 

 there a word in the English language which comprehends 

 both? If not, there ought to be, and this would be the 

 descriptive word to apply to the Grange. In its social rela- 

 tion and work the Grange recognizes fully the fact to which I 

 have already called your attention, that agriculture is a life 

 as well as a vocation. For all who share that life, she opens 

 wide her hospitable gates and spreads her bounteous table. 

 Manhood, womanhood, age, youth, wealth, poverty, those 

 to whom many talents have been intrusted, and those charged 

 with but few, so that they both be faithful users, — all sit 

 down to the wholesome feast of the Grange, and rise up fed and 

 strengthened. Her feasts which nourish the body fitly supple- 

 ment those by which the mental and moral natures of all who 

 come and partake are also nourished and strengthened. 



But the Grange trains as well as feeds its membership. It 

 is not by any manner of means a fat animal show. Not 

 accumulation merely, but service, is the mark aimed at. The 

 Grange wants its members in good working condition, and 

 food and exercise are both designed to maintain this condi- 

 tion. If it did no other work than this, which is wrought 

 wholly within itself and upon its own membership, it would 

 be one of the grandest institutions of modern social life. 



But, while the social stnicture and work of the Grange 

 constitute the heart of the organism, it has other noble 

 features, and sets itself to other important tasks. Next 

 in importance perhaps may be placed its helpfulness to the 

 farmer as a producer. Success in farming depends largely 

 upon close attention to details of management. Take a 

 representative group of farmers anywhere, and each one will 

 have some point of management in which he is superior to 

 all the others. Let them pool their skill, their knowledge, the 

 devices and practices which each has proved and found prof- 

 itable, and all will be benefited. Something of this sharing 

 of treasures and exchange of benefits goes on through the 

 agricultural press, and by means of the casual association of 

 farmers in agricultural societies and other organizations ; but 



