348 RURAL NEW YORE 



18G7. It aims to inculcate the appreciation and love 

 of country life, to instruct in the science and art of 

 agriculture, to enlarge the intellectual horizon in the 

 home and on the farm, to promote economic effi- 

 ciency and social welfare and to protect and minister 

 to its members. The county, state and national sys- 

 tem of organization help to maintain and guide the 

 local branch, as well as to give force to its wishes. 

 The primary efforts of the Grange have been directed 

 to social, educational and protective movements. 

 Economic organization has thus far received only 

 casual attention or in some cases movements institu- 

 ted, such as Grange stores, have worked themselves 

 out of existence through unwise organization or poor 

 leadership. 



In 1918 the State Grange Exchange was organized 

 with the approval of the State Grange, as a general 

 business corporation directed by officers and directors 

 of the Grange. As noted above this has been merged 

 with the Grange-League-Federation Exchange which 

 is a State-wide movement. 



Much influence has been exerted on public ques- 

 tions affecting the farmer and generally in a construc- 

 tive way. The Grange was one of the early national 

 equal suffrage organizations in the country, and has 

 been an effective educational agency in that respect. 

 As its members gain a broader outlook and see more 

 clearly the various functions they have to perform, 

 and use the local Grange units in those directions, it 

 will fulfill a much larger service. The fact that it 

 has a secret ritual keeps many good persons out of 



