THE FARMER'S WAR AGAINST MONOPOLIES. 429 



the world knows nothing until it is done. The gene- 

 ral who conceives a great strategic movement confides 

 his plans only to a few trusty followers, and when any 

 business of great moment comes before Congress it sits 

 in secret session. The general does not conceal his 

 plans, nor Congress its deliberations, through fear of 

 the world's scrutiny, but because the safety of the 

 interests involved demands that secrecy be observed. 

 In like manner, then, the Patrons conceal their delibera- 

 tions, because by so doing they insure greater security 

 and efficiency in their workings. Thus, also, are bad 

 men prevented availing themselves of the advantages 

 of the Order to impose upon the credulity of mankind. 

 Secret societies, too, have always been more perma- 

 nent than others, and will flourish where the latter die 

 out. When, however, I had got this far, I suddenly 

 remembered that we had an agricultural society in our 

 county, and I began asking myself why it would not 

 answer all the purposes of this secret Order of farmers. 

 After a little reflection upon the objects of such organi- 

 zations, I found that agricultural societies are limited in 

 their application to furnishing information on the prac- 

 tice of agriculture, horticulture, etc., on the nature of 

 soils and manures, to the establishment of shows for 

 produce, stock, etc., and to the promotion of agricultural 

 education. Here, then, were the most important 

 objects of agricultural societies ; unless the Patrons pro- 

 posed to do more, it was useless to think further on the 

 subject of joining them. But, on turning my attention 

 to the objects of the Patrons, it soon became evident 

 that not only did they propose to do all of the above, 

 but also a great deal more. Besides teaching the 

 farmer how to practise agriculture after the most im- 



