Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-07-25
gello,rs falls Jimes,
BELLOWS FALLS, JULY 25, 1873.
The Oranges
Ofthe Patrons of Hnsbandry.

VI iluouaHui9 nao Vi Sihaiig poiio"Su
from an association which for many
years had maintained a feeble existence
in community of Scotch farmers in
North Carolina. The objects of this
Scotch society, so far as can be ascer-
tanned. appear to have been the purchase
of all needed supplies from first hands
and wholesome rates, and the cultiva-
ton of more intimate social relations
among It's members that is, it was a
secret cooperative, industrial, and social
association among those already allied
by mutual work and interest and sympa-
thy. 1t was meagre in number, and
narrow in influence, to degree that the
fact of It's existence was unknown be-
yond the limits of the little community
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 become known to
the people of the West. During the
present winter, Mr.. 0. H. Kelley of Itas-
ca, Mimi, and dozen other leading
agriculturalists of the West, happening
together in Washington, held frequent
interviews in relation to the farming in
terests of the farming population of the
Great West. 1t was at this time and
place that the farmers movement first
suggested itself 10 their minds, upon
learning of the character and operation
of the little Scotch society in North Car
olina, whence sprung the agricultural
reyo ution in lis present shape. AT
once the idea wa seized upon, and
adapted to meet the purposes of a ma
tional organization. Early in the year
1868 grange was organized at Itas-
ca, Mimi, under the supervision of Mr..
Kelley. This was the first grange organ
ization in the United States, except the
organic germ in North Carolina. An
other grange was speedily organized at
Newton, Jasper County, Iowa and in 6
short time a third entered upon a feeble
existence at Waukon, Allamakee Coun:
ty, Iowa. Here and there in various
parts of the West and North West, 9th
er oranges were organized from time to
time; but the movement had not yet
taken firm root, and its existence was
still precarious. At the end of 1871,
the order had been introduced into Iowa,
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois but,
up to the close of the year 1871, its en-
tire number in the four States named is
estimated at not over seventy-fve thou
sand.
Quiekenei by new impulse, and
strengthened by a powerful vitality,
its progress within the past twelve
months, beginning with the year 1872,
has not been less wonderful. From its
weak army Of seventy-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 increas-
ing in the same rapid vigor. AT the
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 prodigious growth, rapid adj
vance, and general diffusion through nut
the country. that gives the deepest sig
nifficance to this movement. In Tennes-
see, Alabama, Mississippi. and particu-
larly Georgia, the agricultural classes
are organizing oranges with the same
avidity which characterizes the move
ment in the Northwest. Altogether it
is found in active operation at the pres
ent time in twenty States, two or three
Territories, and in the Canadas.
During all these years of slow devel-
opment and growth, it is noteworthy
that the practical operation of the farm
ers' movement, has continued to be con-
ducted by its originators, who divide
amongst themselves the offices and char
ter membership of the National Grange,
which constitutes the supreme court OF
appeal in all questions appertaining to
-
the active management and work of the
order. From its early days to the pres.
ent moment, no important changes have
been effected in its management; and
for the most part, its leaders are active
ly and nominally the same.
The order is a secret society. Wom-
en- as well as men, are admitted to all
the privileges of the oranges Members
admitted in the first degree are known
respectively as Laborer and Maid; to
the second degree, as Cultivator and
Shepherdess; to the third degree, as
Harvester and Cleaner; and, to the
fourth degree. as Husbandman and Ma.
tron fifth degree is conferred only in
the State oranges, which are composed
Il of masters and past-masters OF the sub.