130 THE GROUNDS WELL. 



Missouri, the well-known horticulturist, (who was afterward 

 elected Steward of the National Grange), then of the Rural 

 World, and now one of the editors of the Illustrated Journal 

 of Agriculture. 



In St. Louis, Mr. Saunders conferred the First Degree. 

 He reported progress, periodically, to the Agricultural Syn 

 dicate at Washington, and furnished the names of those who 

 from time to time agreed to co-operate. The gentlemen 

 previously mentioned, and others to whom the new move 

 ment was communicated, all took an earnest interest in the 

 work, and thenceforward labored peristently for its success. 



Besides those whose names have been given, correspond 

 ence was entered into with Mr. A. S. Moss and Mr. F. M. 

 McDowell, of New York, and other prominent gentlemen in 

 various States, connected with agriculture, from whom valu 

 able suggestions were received in elaborating the ritual, and 

 forming the ground-work of the Order. 



THE FOUNDERS OF THE ORDER. 



To Mr. Kelley, then, belongs the credit of originating the 

 idea which was so energetically and promptly worked up 

 and carried out by the worthy few heretofore mentioned. 

 But it is due to Mr. Saunders more than to any other single 

 individual that it became popularized among the farmers, 

 and especially among horticulturists. His official position, 

 his knowledge of the real wants of these classes, and his 

 wide popularity as a working member in agriculture and 

 agricultural art, gave him great personal influence. His 

 persistent devotion to the interests of the Order, since his 

 connection with it, has been singularly free from bias as to 

 its objects and aims. While this is true, indeed of the great 

 proportion of its officers, it is pre-eminently so of this earnest 

 and honorable man. 



