Annual Report. 
25 
themselves, and keep step with the advance, progressive spirit of 
the times. We desire here to say that in this noble work the State 
has generously aided us by liberal appropriations of money, publish¬ 
ing our annual volume of transactions, and supplying us with ele¬ 
gant and commodious rooms in the oapitol. For all these favors 
we here tender our thanks, and make our Centennial bow. 
The grange, farmers 1 club, and other industrial societies have 
done much the last year to promote the interests of those engaged 
in the different branches of farm-work. Meetings have been fre¬ 
quently held, and when the special work was concluded, topics of 
general interest have been read, and discussions had thereon with 
marked effect. Very little difficulty arises in getting up a deep 
interest upon the subjects presented at these meetings. If some 
one is prepared to lead off, the observations and experience of others 
naturally and easily follow. Social science and political economy T 
I am glad to say, are eliciting much interest, a complete knowledge 
of which will enable these societies to aid in redressing many of their 
grievances. They cannot pursue this matter too closely. Committees 
to collect information and facts relative to finance, transportation, 
co-operation, and the like interests, which are so closely connected 
with productive industry, will be of great value. How to produce 
the largest products with the least expenditure of labor, and how 
to dispose of the surplus to insure handsome profits for such labor, 
are questions you cannot too well understand. u These organizations 
have caused business to be conducted on a more economical basis, 
and consequently have cheapened all goods bought for cash. They 
have brought producer and consumer nearer together. They have in¬ 
augurated in public sentiment a revolution in favor of a cash sj^stem. 
It will take years to complete it, but that revolution has commenced, 
and millions have already been saved to the people. They have 
inspired the whole agricultural world with a spirit of economy. 
They have already begun to elevate farming as a profession, and 
have drawn farmers nearer each other socially and for business 
purposes. They have given impetus to intelligent farming every¬ 
where, and have sown seeds that will ripen into a rich harvest of 
prosperity for the farmers, and consequently for all classes. They 
have inaugurated a reformation that will not cease until virtue and 
