THE GRANGE 179 



in that time originated with the Grange or has been ef- 

 fectively promoted by it. The Grange was an important 

 factor in the establishment of agricultural colleges and 

 high schools, and originated the idea of teaching ele- 

 mentary agriculture in the public schools. Experiment 

 stations are mainly the product of Grange advocacy. 

 Rural mail delivery, the Department of Agriculture, 

 the Interstate Commerce Commission, and hundreds 

 of other measures of state or national legislation orig- 

 inated with the Grange or were promoted by it. Its 

 value to agriculture is beyond computation. 



Work of the grange. "The grange is a live institu- 

 tion. It is satisfying a great need in rural society. It 

 is based on correct principles: organization, co-opera- 

 tion, education. It is neither a political party nor a 

 business agency. It is neither ultra-radical nor forever 

 in the rut. Its chief work is on cultural lines. It in- 

 eludes the entire family. It is now growing, and its 

 growth is of a permanent character. 



"The Grange is ambitious to take its place beside 

 the school and the church, as one of the trinity of forces 

 that shall mold the life of the farmer on the broad- 

 est possible basis material, intellectual, social, and 

 ethical. Is there any good reason why this ambition 

 is not worthy, or why its goal should not be won?" 

 (President Butterfield of the Mass. Agricultural Col- 

 lege, from his Chapters on Rural Progress.) 



