480 HISTORY OF THE GRANGE MOVEMENT; OR, 



proved methods, they, likewise, protect him in the act. 

 They are ever on the watch to detect and warn him of 

 impositions, to prevent his intrusting his produce to 

 fraudulent agents, and to bring about a reduction of high 

 freights for his benefit. They enable him to purchase 

 his supplies cheaper, and his tools and machinery at from 

 ten to twenty-five per cent, less than he can by any other 

 means. They prevent cruelty to animals, nurse the 

 sick, assist the poor, instruct the youth, establish libra- 

 ries and reading-rooms, and aim at elevating all classes, 

 both socially and morally. And while agricultural 

 societies, in general, possess no common bond of union, 

 each being wholly independent of the other, the 

 Granges are but so many 'parts of one stupendous 

 whole,' which whole is a body firmly united in sub- 

 stance and intent, guided by one head, striving for the 

 achievement of one end, namely, THE GENERAL GOOD OF 



THE AGRICULTURIST AT LARGE." 



