442 WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
resolutions they passed was, to punish severely the cutting under 
in prices. A thorough organization of farmers should exist in 
every town and county in the state for self defense. Those orga¬ 
nizations ought to have not only town and county, but state and 
national existence. The national society could give the local so¬ 
cieties such information as the farmers most need ; such as in¬ 
forming them of the crop prospects, not only in this, but also in 
foreign countries; and what crops would be most likely to pay 
best the ensuing year. For instance, a failure of the winter wheat 
crop, by reason of being winter killed, could be made known to 
all the local societies in the northwest, where spring wheat is 
most grown. Again, we could have the experience of others in 
growing new varieties of grain, or other crops, newly introduced 
machinery and implements. Humbugs could be exposed in time 
to prevent the members of the society from being swindled. In 
a word, we could protect ourselves against all combinations. 
So far as I know, I believe the Patrons of Husbandry the best 
organization ever gotten up for this purpose. I understand that 
it is a social organization, where farmers, their wives and daugh¬ 
ters, can meet together, and by the use of the secret ballot exclude 
evil disposed and unworthy persons. A.ny organization that will 
accomplish the reforms which the farmers need, must have not 
only social, but state and national organizations. 
These questions must be discussed until the people are ready 
to demand of their law-makers to respect the farmer’s interests. 
The questions that should be asked of candidates who wish to 
represent us in the state or*national legislatures should not be as 
heretofore, about reconstruction or civil service reform, but, what 
are your views upon cheap transportation to the seaboard ? What 
will you do to relieve the stringency in the money market? 
What measures will you advocate to relieve the people from the 
monopolies that are robbing them of their hard earnings? The 
farmers should unite and propound such questions to every candi- 
date who wishes to represent the dear people in the halls of legis¬ 
lation, and should have their unequivocal answers to these ques¬ 
tions, or withhold their votes from them. Just so soon as the 
politicians find that the farmers are united, irrespective of parties, 
and that, through their organization, they are strong enough to 
