140 



CHAPTERS IN RURAL PROGRESS 



was officially organized. For four or five years 

 this unexampled prosperity continued ; then the 

 reports show a feeling of weakness creeping in. 

 In fact, the order as a whole steadily declined in 

 numbers and prestige during the whole of the 

 decade following 1880. The losses were most 

 serious, however, in the South and West; for in 

 New England and the Middle States it retained 

 its vitality, and, indeed, grew steadily. 



During the last fifteen years there has been a 

 widespread revival of interest in the organization 

 and the outlook is exceedingly promising. 

 During the decade following 1890 the member- 

 ship increased not less than 75 per cent. Dur- 

 ing the last few years the rate of gain has been 

 even greater. The following table gives the 

 official records in the five leading Grange states : 



Granges Members 



Granges Members 



New York 



Maine 



Michigan 



Pennsylvania. . . 

 New Hampshire 



5SO 

 2 75 

 420 

 526 

 260 



43,000 

 29,000 

 25,000 

 20,000 

 24,000 



582 

 387 

 73i 

 560 

 263 



66,500 

 49,000 

 45,000 

 34,000 

 28,000 



These states lead, but the order is also active 

 and strong in Vermont, Connecticut, Ohio, 



