298 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



ing. The essayist, in referring to New England, called it 

 " that little State away down East." But there is this fact to 

 be remembered : we raise the boys and girls here, bring them 

 up under our New England orthodox principles, and send 

 them West ; and you will find the West is largely indebted 

 to New England for the enterprise with which it is being 

 built up. Now, we all acknowledge the need for the Grange, 

 or some similar association, to enable the farmers to make 

 their influence felt. Let me illustrate. A few years ago, 

 on the Housatonic Railroad, we endeavored to fonn a milk 

 association, in order that we might act with greater power 

 and influence. A great deal of enthusiasm was manifested 

 at the first meeting. I was appointed for the north end of 

 the road, to see the farmers and persujjde them to unite in 

 the milk association. I entered upon my duties with en- 

 thusiasm; but, just as soon as I got a little away from the 

 public thoroughfares, I was astonished at the difficulty of 

 convincing the farmers of the necessity for action and enter- 

 prise. I could accomplish nothing. Now, the trouble is 

 not with the farmers that are here ; it is with those who are 

 not here, those who are back on the farm, who do not attend 

 these meetings, who are satisfied with their passive life. As 

 has been remarked, time and again, I believe that farmers 

 have duties and responsibilities, and now is the time to act. 

 I think the matter cannot be too strongly pressed, — the im- 

 portance of availing of this opportunity through the Grange 

 organization. For those of us who are fully aroused to the 

 importance of this thing, there is a work to do in arousing 

 those that are indiflerent. That is the class that we want to 

 influence. 



The Chairman. The Secretary has a few remarks to 

 make, and then the meeting will be brought to a close. 



REMARKS OF WM. R. SESSIONS. 

 Ladies and Gentlemen: — I have heard some things which 

 seem to me like apologizing for New England. I take no 

 stock in such sentiments. New England can stand up for 

 itself in all matters of agriculture and manufiicture. The 

 other day a friend of mine who had not been in the East for 



