patrons of husbandry

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Patron \Pa"tron\, n. [F., fr. L. patronus, fr. pater a father. See Paternal, and cf. Patroon, Padrone, Pattern.]

1.One who protects, supports, or countenances; a defender. "Patron of my life and liberty." --Shak. "The patron of true holiness." --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

2.(Rom. Antiq.) (a) A master who had freed his slave, but still retained some paternal rights over him. (b) A man of distinction under whose protection another person placed himself. (c) An advocate or pleader. [1913 Webster]

Let him who works the client wrong Beware the patron's ire.— Macaulay.[1913 Webster]

3.One who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work; a furtherer; a promoter; as, a patron of art. [1913 Webster]

4.(Eccl. Law) One who has gift and disposition of a benefice. [Eng.] [1913 Webster]

5.A guardian saint. -- called also patron saint. [1913 Webster]

6.(Naut.) See Padrone, 2. [1913 Webster]

Patrons of Husbandry, the grangers. See Granger, 2. [1913 Webster]