STATE GRANGE OF ILLINOIS. 89 



What time (in tlie moon) to plant the corn 



Or gather it for seeding; 

 Are cooked potatoes good for swine? 



As well as — Granger feeding? 



Debate on these, and kindred themes 



And social relaxation, 

 At harvest feast, and sociable 



Or other rare occasion , 



Are thought by many wise, and good 



And very prudent members 

 To be our Order's mission — more, 



They fear would strife's embers. 



Nor would we deem these homely themes 



Beneath consideration; 

 They're food for much of daily thought 



And daily conversation. 



But he who dreams this is the Grange 



Began, sustains, and ends it; 

 111 reads this lesson of our time 



And poorly comprehends it. 



Or if, to buy at cheaper rates. 



To sell at prices juster. 

 Were all its aims, the Grange to-day 



Would some less thousands muster. 



This army of determined men 

 Of earnest, thoughtful women, 



Have dearer interests here at stake, 

 A nobler aim, in common. 



They feel that with tlieir lives of toil 

 Of ceaseless, soulless striving; 



From youth to age, they dearly pay, 

 For the one boon of living. 



They hold that he who tills the soil. 



Beloved of God and nature; 

 Should wear God's image upon earth 



In more than form and stature. 



Not dwarfed in mind, and blind to truths 



His life is daily showing, 

 As are the poor beasts that he drives, 



The corn that he is growing. 



