Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Husbandry, Patrons of

HUSBANDRY, PATRONS OF, a combination, society, or association of farmers for the promotion of the interests of agriculture, by abolishing the restraints and burdens imposed on it by railway and other companies, and by getting rid of the systems of middlemen or agents between the producer and consumer. It was founded just after the Civil War, reputedly by O. H. Kelley, of Boston, Mass., and was especially designed to redress the grievances of the farmers in the West. The popular name of its members is Grangers.