THE GRANGE 141 



Massachusetts. Thirty states pay dues to the 

 National Grange treasury, and twenty-six were 

 represented by delegates at the last National 

 Grange. Since 1905 there has been substantial 

 growth in most of these twenty-six states, both 

 in numbers of Granges and in membership. 



The official title of the Grange is "Patrons of 

 Husbandry," of the members, " Patrons,' ' and 

 of the various divisions, " Granges." The " sub- 

 ordinate Grange," or local lodge, is the Grange 

 unit. Its area of jurisdiction has, nominally, a 

 diameter of about five miles; more roughly, "a 

 Grange to a township" is the working ideal; 

 among the organizers. The membership con- 

 sists of men and women, and of young people 

 over fourteen years of age, who may apply and 

 by vote be accepted. Constitutionally, those 

 whose interests are not immediately with agri- 

 culture are ineligible to membership; and care 

 is also exercised that only those who are of good 

 repute shall be recommended. The presiding 

 officer of each Grange is the "master;" while 

 among the twelve other officers the "lecturer" 

 is the most important, and virtually acts as 

 programme committee, with charge of the educa- 

 tional work of the body. Meetings are held 

 weekly or fortnightly. Each regular meeting 



