The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-07-17
The Oranges Of the Patrons of Husbandry.

The idea of the order of the "Patrons of
Husbandry' was originally borrowed from an
association which for many years had mani
tested feeble existence III community of
Scotch farmers in North Carolina The objects
of this Scotch society, so fap as can be ascer-
tained, appear to have been the purchase of all
needed supplies from first hands and at whole
sale rates, and the cultivation of more intimate
social relations among its members that is, it
was a secret cooperative, industrial and social
association among those already allied by mu-
tual work and interest and sympathy. 1t was
meagre in number, and narrow in influence, to
a degree that the fact of its existence was un-
known beyond the limits of the little commu-
nifty affected by its institutions. Nor was it
until the spring of 1868 that the idea of these
Scotch farmers first began to be mooted abroad,
and became known to the people of the West.
of Itasca, Minn, and dozen other leading ag-
riculturists of the West, happening together in
Washington, held frequent interviews in rela-
ton to the interests of the farming population
of the great West. 1t was at this time and
place that the farmers movement first sugges-
ted itself to their minds, upon learning of the
character and operation of the little Scotch
society in North Carolina, whence sprung the
agricultural revolution in its present shape. at
once the idea was seized upon, and adapted to
meet the purposes of national organization.
Early in The year 1868 grange" was organ
lied in Itasca, Minn., under the supervision of
Mr.. Kelley. This was the first grange organi-
zation in the United States, except the organic
germ in North Carolina. Another grange was
speedily organized in Newton, Jasper county,
Iowa and in short time third entered upon
feeble.existence at Waukon, Allamakee couu-
II, o.kn of
the West and Northwest, other oranges were
ment had not yet taken firm root, and its exis-
tence was still precarious. At the end of 1871,
the order had been introduced into Iowa, Min
nesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, but, up to the
close of the year 1871, its entire number in the
four States named is estimated at not over
seventy-fve thousand.
Quickened by new impulse, and strength
ened by powerful vitality, its progress within
the past twelve months, beginning with the
year 1872, has been not less than wonderful.
From its weak army of seyenty-fve thousand,
it is claimed that, in the same four States, its
membership has swelled to the more formidable
number of four hundred and fifty thousand,
and is constantly increasing with the same
rapid vigor. Atthe same time, the order has
been introduced into large proportion of the
remaining States, and some of the Territories.
and is extending not only to the North and
West, but also to the East and South. 1t is
this proiigious growth, rapid advance, and
general diffusion throughout the country, that
gives the deepest significance to this movement.
In Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and par
ticulariy in Georgia, the agricultural classes
are organizing oranges with the same avidity
which characterizes the movement in the
Northwest. Altogether, it is found in active
operation at the present time in twenty States,
two or three Territories, and in the Canadas.