THE. FARMER'S WAR AGAINST MONOPOLIES. 419 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



COMPOSITION OF THE GRANGES/ 



Objects of the Order Male and Female Members Division into National, 

 State, and Local Granges Officers of the National Grange Membership 

 limited to Agriculturalists Organization of the Grange Qualifications of 

 Members Secrecy required The Degrees of the Order The Ritual De- 

 grees of the Subordinate Grange Degrees of the State Grange Degrees of 

 the National Grange Financial Matters How the Grange is organized 

 Description of the Working System of the Order How the Expenses of the 

 Grange are paid The Secret Feature considered Necessity for and Ad- 

 vantage of Secrecy Advantages of Female Members Woman's Work in 

 the Grange Objects of the Order discussed. 



THE Order of Patrons of Husbandry is a secret society 

 devoted to the interests of the agricultural classes. Its 

 objects are stated in a general way by the Secretary of 

 the National Grange, as follows : 



"NATIONAL GRANGE, WASHINGTON, D. C. 



" It is evident to all intelligent minds that the time 

 has come when those engaged in rural pursuits should 

 have an organization devoted entirely to their interests. 

 Such it is intended to make the Order of Patrons. It 

 was instituted in 1867 ; its growth is unprecedented in 

 the history of secret associations, and it is acknowledged 

 one of the most useful and powerful organizations in 

 the United States. Its grand objects are not only 

 general improvement in husbandry, but to increase the 

 general happiness, wealth, and prosperity of the coun- 



