Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-10-01

folded. 1t disseminates valuable informa-
ton, that all may be benefited. Itcollects
as well as disseminates. 1t is an intel
! lectual institution. 1t calls for an exercise
of the mind. 1t brings mind in contact
with mind, and yet, by the contact, other
minds are illuminated by the friction. 1t
| draws cut our latent talent. 1t maks active
and tangible what has been before dor
mant and unseen. 1t shows the impor-
lance of cultivating brains as well as SOIL
1t demonstrates the fact that as rich har-
vests are developed by brain culture rs by
soil culture that a great crops of weeds
! has grown up and smothered out the use
full plants by the neglect of brain culture.
The grange is a social institution. 1t
makes grand brotherhood and sister
hood It unites by strong ties those that
have been before strangers. Itmakes each
feel an interest in all, and all in each. 1t
heals up the wounds of the unfortunate.
1t administers comforts to the sick and
and elevates the suflerings of the distress
ed. 1t is a husband to the widow and
father to the orphan. 1t makes every
neighbor one kind, affectionate family. 1t
is a financial institution 1t seeks to OBJ
tain for its members the highest price for
their products. 1t looks to the good of all.
1t learns how and when the price can be
obtained. 1t cuts the Gordan knot which
has bound the farmer to the middle man,
who has absorbed the chief profits OF his
labor. 1t buys the necessaries of life
where they can be got cheapest and best.
1t throws its protecting arm around all,
and would make them more Independent.
Nine men and four women is tie small
est number that can organize, though
larger number is desirable. The entrance
fee for charter members, is three dollars,
fifty cents for females. Those who join
after organization, must be ballotted for
be initiated, and take the degrees regular
ly, as in other secret societies. The fee in
such cases is five dollars for men and two
dollars for women for the four degrees.
Charter members are instructed in the
work of the four degrees at the organization
The object and purposes of the organization
are manifested. Prominent among them
are the determinations of information on
agricultural subjects, the encouragement of
experiments with a view to improvement
in the methods of farming the introduction
of improved seeds and implements and the
purchase Of all supplies needed by the
oranges at reduced prices &c,
1t is not political organization. as some
suppose, and as they have charged. a
clause in the constitution of the Order eX-
pressly forbidS the discussion of either re-
ligious or political matters in the oranges.
The ladies occupy a conspicuous place in
the Order, and grange can not be organ
lied without them. The degrees conferred
upon them are known as Maid, Shepherd
ess, Cleaner, Matron, Pomona, Flora and
Ceres. The assistance of women in the
workings of the Order proves to be of in
calculable value, especially in regard to the
refnements of education and all that
tends to brighten hearths and enliven
homes. One of the pleasant social
features of the oranges is the feast,
provided by the ladies once a month. In
some parts of the West these banquets
take the form of picnics in the woods. For
Al =
it is given to Miss Carrie A. Hall, of Bos-
ton. The grange room is a kind of club
room for the enjoyment of both sexes.
The National grange has two degrees
for ladies-Flora, Mrs. ], g. Abbott, and
Ceres, Mrs. Dudley Adams.
The oranges have spread as if by magic |
all over the country. The banner State is
Iowa, which has aa5 '7I6 oranges; then fol-
low Missouri, 62S; Illinois, sol; Kansas,
Asa Minnesota, 343 Nebraska, 80; Indi-
ana, $685. Mississippi, 23S; Wisconsin,
1876; Tennessee, 81; South Carolina, al
Ohio, 1903: Georgia, III and North Caro-
lima, Oregon, Vermont, Michigan, Califor-
mia, Arkansas, Alabama, Pennsylvania,
New York, Dakota, New Jersey, Louisi
ana, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Colo
RADIO, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and New
Hampshire, all ranging from one to fifty
seven. The present Master of the Nation
al Grange is Dudley w. Adams, of Wau-
kon, Iowa. and his headquarters are at
Washington, ID. c,
There have been, as yet, no oranges in
stitued in East Tennessee, tor the rea-on
that the matterhas not been rushed upon the
farmers. They needed light upon the SUBJ
iect, and that they arenow daily receiving.
Several applications are made out for
oranges, and, in due time, they will be Or
ganized. Who will join in organizing
Knoxville Grange? Let us have one.
G.. w. CHARLTON.
Knoxville, Tenn, Sept. 18th, 1878. I