BUSINESS COOPERATION 267 



of the order, by far the most effective and enduring was its 

 promulgation of the rules for Patrons' cooperative associa- 

 tions, together with its consistent advocacy of the Rochdale 

 system. Plans for extensive agencies and manufacturing plants 

 and for international cooperation may have come to naught, 

 but the successes achieved by cooperative associations where 

 the rules were followed bear witness to the ultimate wisdom of 

 the members of the National Grange. 



GRANGE MANUFACTURING 



Unfortunately for the welfare of the order, the Grangers were 

 not satisfied with distributive cooperation. When the purchas- 

 ing agencies were getting under way they often experienced 

 considerable difficulty in making arrangements with manufac- 

 turers for machinery at wholesale rates. 1 The manufacturers 

 had a system of disposing of their wares through agents with 

 exclusive territory, and such arrangements as the Grangers 

 wished to make, though perhaps on the face of them advanta- 

 geous to the manufacturers, meant serious interference with 

 this system and perhaps loss in the end. In the course of time 

 the Grange agents generally succeeded in finding some manu- 

 facturer or dealer who would make suitable terms, so far as the 

 smaller and less expensive implements or machines were con- 

 cerned, but the manufacturers of harvesters persistently held 

 back. Just at this time the treasuries of the national and state 

 granges were overflowing with money, which had been collected 

 from dispensations and dues. How better could these funds 

 be invested than in independent Grange factories which could 

 be used to " smash " the " Harvester Ring," the " Plow Ring," 

 and other combinations which were adverse to the interests of 



1 For example, at a meeting of plow manufacturers in November, 1873, an agree- 

 ment was signed by twenty-two firms that no plows should be sold to clubs or 

 granges except at retail prices, but local agents were advised to give reduced rates 

 for cash sales in large quantities. The granges and farmers' clubs responded with 

 resolutions of boycott against the firms in the " Plow Ring." Prairie Farmer, xliv. 

 379, 403, xlv. 19, 84 (1873-74). For other instances, see Chicago Tribune, August 

 21, 1873, P- 2 > Lea, Grange Movement in Wisconsin (Ms.), 14, quoting Evansville 

 (Wisconsin) Register, June 17, 1873. 



