CHAPTER L. 



THE NATIONAL GRANGE OF PATRONS OF 

 HUSBANDRY. 



THE ANNUAL MEETING AT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, IN 

 FEBRUARY, 1874. 



The Annual Meeting of the National Grange of Patrons of Husbandry, 

 which commenced at St. Louis, Missouri, on Tuesday, February 3, and 

 finally closed its labors on Friday evening, February 13, having been in con 

 stant session for ten days, was undoubtedly one of the most important, if not 

 the most important, agricultural meeting ever held in any country. Every 

 state in the Union, except Maine and Delaware, was represented, as also 

 were two of the territories, and the province of Quebec, Canada. 



MASTER ADAMS ADDRESS. 



The Grand Master of the order, Hon. Dudley W. Adams, in his address, 

 which was, throughout, a model of elegance and comprehensiveness, sketched 

 eloquently and rapidly the rise and progress of the Order. Last year they 

 represented but 1,300 Granges, while now they had nearly 12,000. In its 

 inception it was intended to be chiefly a social institution like the Farmers 

 Clubs, but more comprehensive, including both sexes, and rendered attractive 

 by a pleasing ritual and the charm of secrecy. Other features have been en 

 grafted on the Order, and have assumed greater prominence. It was of 

 importance that the interest in the subordinate Granges be kept up. After 

 the first few meetings, the interest often flags and the attendance drops off. 

 This demands careful consideration. The transportation question had 

 received more attention than any other in the subordinate and State Granges. 



