entire State visited: not only the County Granges but the 

 Subordinate Granges also; and an appropriation should he 

 made to defray at least one-half of the expense. I am per- 

 suaded that it a part of the money paid by Subordinate 

 Granges to the State Grange was expended for this purpose, 

 that the order would not only be benefited thereby, but the 

 resources of the State Grange would be increased. The details 

 for carrying out these suggestions, if adopted, are left with 

 you to provide. 



The agency established by the Executive committee at 

 Chicago, pursuant to instruction of this body at its last ses- 

 sion, and, notwithstanding the embarrassments under which 

 it has labored, growing out of the lateness of the season when 

 established, and a want of proper facilities for advertising 

 it, together with the exceeding great stringency of the finan- 

 ces of the country, it has attained a degree of success that to 

 me is truly encouraging. This success indicates what may 

 be accomplished if a wise and liberal policy prevail toward 

 it. A full account of the business of the agency, together 

 with the expense connected therewith, will be presented by 

 the committee and the agent in their report. There is no 

 subject of greater importance or of more vital interest to our 

 members at large than that which relates to our business 

 plans and operations. The prominent question, and one upon 

 the correct solution of which depends our future success as 

 an organization, as to how we can most successfully, and at 

 the least expense, procure the necessaries and conveniences 

 of home, and dispose of the surplus products of our farni9. 

 Doubtless there are many who regard the social and intellec- 

 tual features as paramount to the business; who deplore the 

 fact that the Grange has ever been made a medium of pecun- 

 iary gain, and who would adhere to, cherish and continue 

 the Grange organization to a limited extent were the entire 

 business features abolished, yet the vast majority of our 

 members demano the pecuniary advantages, and unless they 

 can have them, they will lose all interest in the Grange. To 

 meet this demand a considerable number of co operative 

 'Btoves unon the Joint stock plan have been established, a ma- 



