152 CHAPTERS IN RURAL PROGRESS 



in some states. They are held during the 

 summer season, at a time when work is least 

 pressing, and are usually attended by speakers 

 of prominence in the order. Many subordinate 

 Granges give public lecture courses during the 

 winter, securing speakers on general themes. 

 They also arrange for entertainments of a pop- 

 ular character. 



The order also participates in activities that 

 are not strictly Grange work. For instance, in 

 Michigan, the State Grange for several years 

 carried on a " Fresh-Air Work," by which over 

 1,000 working-girls, children, and hard-working 

 mothers with babies, from the larger cities, were 

 given a two-weeks' vacation in country homes. 

 The philanthropic agencies of the cities arranged 

 for transportation and secured the beneficiaries, 

 while the Grange obtained the places for them. 

 Granges are always active in the organization of 

 farmers' institutes, agricultural fairs, etc. In 

 Michigan they have assisted in the organization 

 of associations which are designed to bring to- 

 gether both teachers and parents for discussion of 

 rural-school problems. 



On two important matters the Grange has 

 been misunderstood, not only by the public, but 

 more unfortunately, sometimes by its own 



