I 



156 CHAPTERS IN RURAL PROGRESS 



are in successful operation to-day, but the policy 

 as a whole has been abandoned. 



Another plan, discussed over thirty years ago, 

 has during the past decade come to assume 

 practical importance as a method of co-operation 

 on business lines. The plan, in brief, is that 

 various State Granges contract with manu- 

 facturing and jobbing houses to furnish members 

 of the order with goods at practically wholesale 

 rates. Goods are ordered by the subordinate 

 Granges, under seal of the order; are purchased 

 on a cash basis; and are shipped to the purchas- 

 ing agent of the Grange, and by him distributed 

 to the individual buyers. Such materials as 

 binder twine, salt, harness, Paris green, all kinds 

 of farm implements, vehicles, sewing-machines, 

 and fruit trees are purchased advantageously. 

 Even staple groceries, etc., are sometimes bought 

 in this way. Members often save enough in 

 single purchases to pay all their expenses for the 

 Grange. There is no capital invested; there 

 are no debts imposed upon himself by the pur- 

 chaser; and there has not been extreme difficulty 

 in securing favorable contracts. The plan 

 seems destined to continued enlargement and 

 usefulness as a legitimate phase of business co- 

 operation. Michigan Granges purchased not 



