The Farm Gate

Iiitcrcsted pa'rties are seeking to colleet money from tho farmers of this State under the claim that a gate in common use is an infringement of a patent issued October 24, 1865, to one John C. Lee, of Seville, O., and have commenced snit in the Circuit Conrt of the United States, against some farmers who have refused to pay their demands. It is believed there is a good defense to these suits ; but, while tlie aggregate tax on the farmers of Michigan would be very large, the demand upon any one man is too small to justify him in incuning alone the expenses oí such defense. As t is of great importance to the farmers of the State to have their rights determined at an early day, the Michigan Farmers' Mutual Defense Association has been organized for the purpose of testing the validity of the patent, and deciding the question of infringement. The Association has retained counsel and proposes to defend all guita brought against its members until the court of last resort shall have decided all the issues nvolved. A copy of the articles of association will be sent to any person on appücation to the officers. Any resident of Michigan may becomo a member of the Association by sending lus full name and address, with two dollars, to tho Treasurer. A detailed statement of all receipts and disbursements will be rendered, and the surplus, if any, refunded pro rata to the members. Dated,Sept 7, 1879. H. C. PLATT, President, J. KVART SMITH, Sec'y, P. C. SIIERWOOD, Treas. Ypsilanti. DAVID WILSKY, Ann Arbor, LOREN RIGGS, Belleville, Executive Committee.