The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-07-22

lug the premium list and regulations, can
obtain ,hem by addressing Henry Clark,
Rutland.
Patrons of Husbapdry.
ORIGIN OF THE FARMERS oRGAN1zA-
TIoN-ITs woRK-PRACTICAL POETRY
Years ago the spark which kindled
this flame originated in Philadelphia,
and it came about in this way The
city of Brotherly Love was blessed with
very wealthy citizen, who died one
day and bequeathed large fortune to
his son. Now the young man adored
chemistry, and realized the intimate
relations that exist between the Guilt
walton of the soil and his favorite study,
and in his enthusiasm he determined
to start on lecturing tour to the farm
ers of the West. In the meantime he
applied TO William Saunders, Esq,
the founder of the patrons of Husband
nv, who was then The editor of horti
cultural journal, to ascertain by what
means he could call an audience of
agriculturists. Mr.. Saunders told him
there was no way to bring these wide
~ scattered men together. Living long
distances apart removed fran the rail
roads and printing offices, they were
as inaccessible as Selkirll on Juan Fer
nandez. From that hour Mr.. Saunders
bent every energy to developc plan
by which the husbandmen might be-
come powerful by union. He saw the
iron and steel men also the sewing ma
chine and railroad men strong as their
own iron and steel, and he said 1--WE
must fight Satan with his own weap-
ons. The poor farmer is like the single
skirmisher, brought down by the first
sharpshooter of the enemy, Let us adj
vance as an army" So far their blows
have fallen heaviest on what are called
the "middlemen.n Iowa, who leads
the van, last year saved $4,000 in her
purchases of agricultural implements.
BY means of this order the farmer
bought direct from the manufacturer,
while the middleman or agent had to
step aside. In the fall or early winter
of 1867, II small knot of thinking men
combined in the Office of the Superin-
tendent of the Agricultural Grounds in
Washington, and at this meeting part
Of the ritual was formed
ORGANIZATIONS OF SUBORDINATE LoDG-
ES.
First Degree-L aborer IMAM Maid
(wOman.)
Second Degree - Cultivator IMAM
Sheperdess (woman.)
Third Degree = Harvester imam,
Cleaner (woman.)
Fourth Degree--Husbandma (man,
Matron woman
STATE GRANGE.
Fifth Degree-P Pomona Hope
Composed of Masters of subordinate
lodges and their wives who are mat
rons. Past Masters and their wives
who are matrons shall lie honorary
members and eligible to Office, but not
entitled to vote.
NATIONAL GRANGE.
Sixth Degree-Flora Charity
Composed of Masters of State Grang,
IS and their wives who have taken the
degree of Pomona. Past Masters OF
State Oranges, and their wives who
have taken said degree ofPomona, shall
be honorary members and eligible to
office but not entitled to vote.
Seventh Degree-Ceres (Faith.)
Members of the National Grange who
have served one year therein may be-
come members of this degree upon APP
plication and election. 1t shall have
charge of the secret work of the order,
and shall be court of impeachment OF
an OluCtIS VI INC &NutlOllul SlullRe.
Members of this degree are honorary
members of the National Grange, and
are eligible to office therein, but are not
entitled To vote.
During the year 1872 new oranges
were formed TO the number of one thou.
sand one hundred and five, and since
the order was introduced there have
been issued for gratuitous distribution
one million seven hundred and five
thousand sheets of printed matter, and
not single sheet has been frankeC
since the order was started, and there
Is not State or Territory where the or
der is not known. In regard to the
standing of the States, Iowa stands frs
and South Carolina next.
There have been printed and gratu
itously distributed during the year by
the National Grange, 5l5, 800 Byrai
Fund publications a to PIP. pam
phlets y 20,900 manuals bound in cloth
%, 100 circulars 72,400 blanks 7,8O
keys TO manuals; aud 30,0 900 constitu
lions.
The ceremonies connected with tn
session of grange are extremely poeti
and beautiful. On remote platform
in the hall where the meeting is to b
held may be seen three women who's
charming hands must consecrate tn
new aspirant The first is Flora
named from mythology. Her brow
bound with flowers, and if the prope
season is Mt hand they trail in garland
from her garments, which are as fieec,
as the clouds. From the profussion be
fore she selects n specimen and present
IL to the new accession. To the limo
cent young girl she presents lily. II
the juiceless old bachelor a sprig of rue
The woman who represents Ceres i
usually matron. Her ripe forehead
surmOunted with crown of straw
which is dotted with golden grain. Sh
bestows upon the candidate a handful
of her treasures, or perhaps an ear c
corn, after her part of the ceremony
over. Last, but not least, comes Pom
ona, symbolic of the riches of the han
vest and autumn. A glorious woma
she should be. When the candidat
has passed her hands nothing more CA
be done for him. He is full-hedge
Patron of Husbandry. The importan
question comes in the business order @
the Grange Of this kind, as any mem
Der sick or in distress?" This is
specimen of some of the items. As til
meeting is about to adjourn, tn
Worthy Master says. las we are agail
to separate ana mingle once more will
the world, let Us not forget the precept
OF our order. Let us aim to add dignit,