Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 October 1874 — A Few Hints to Patrons. [ARTICLE]

A Few Hints to Patrons.

tXff.'JrW: Jennings, of Denison, Tex., Master of Bois de-sAte Grange, No. 4, makes some valuable suggestions to the Order in a recent number of the Denison Heice, as follows: The organization 'of the Patrons of Husbandry in this State begins to assume a magnitude truly gigantic, and its benefits and value to our farmers are being appreciated, yet we find but few who can inform you wherein they are, or expect to be, aided by their connection with the Order. They*have gone through the ceremonial, have been initiated, received the degrees, and are acknowledged Patrons, yet they have not given the least thought what to do to aid in diffusing knowledge, or what they expect from the Grange as a return for their investment. A few words on this theme would be apropos, and as a Patron I will give them my views and throw down the gauntlet inside or outside of the Grange, and they may take exceptions thereto. It is the duty of every Patron to know all that can be learned and to communicat e all that he knows which would enlighten, instruct or benefit his co-workers in the Grange. It is his 4uty to report the amount of land in cultivation, the prospects of crops, the condition of his neighborhood, his experience with certain kinds of implements and seeds’ the plan of grafting the best kind of fruit, the result of his experience in cultivating, his theory of breeding and keeping stock, the best kinds of stock for this country, his experience with hogs and the best breeds for this climate, his remedies for disease in stock, poultry, bees; in fact, to make the Grange a school of instruction, thereby increasing the interest in its labors. * Some may say, how are we to gather this knowledge? I will say that no farmer who takes interest enough in the organization to become a member thereof but has some idea that would be new to others and they would soon take pleasure in imparting the same to the less enlightened brother and sister. The sisters can give their expe rience 'in butter and cheese making, in their arrangements of household affairs, bread making, keeping both house and out-door plants, their system of preserving, making pickles and everything instructive and interesting: The younger persons liavc an im-portant-part to take in the Grange, if they will only take hold and exercise it. The proper sphere for them is to arrange and beautify the Grange, decorate it with fragrant flowers —emblems of purity—prepare the feasts and picnics, attend to the music, and make the Grange a place of delight for older members; we will then have taken the first step toward fill ing the mission for which we are created. We are all more or less dependent creatures; to help one another and to make life’s burden light is one of the ends we have in view. We want more and better reading in our homes-; we -should encourage agricultural papers; we cannot over-estimate the valuable information gleaned from their, perusal. Our State agricultural papers are very limited, ami we should strive to get the best. As Patrons let us have more knowledge and try to dispense it liberally, and all will be well with our Order.