New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-10
NEU -H4J[PSHIRE GRANGE.
Uhat the Order Is Doing for Rural
Residents of the State.
By Nahum j. Bachelor. Governor.


Concord. n. H. Jan. 9-The population Of tho
State of New-Hampshire is 10000 The member
ship of the order of Patrons or Husbandry in New
Hampshire is 5000 In other words. OF all the
men. and children in the Granite State one
in every fifteen is a Granger II Is believed than,
this record cannot be duplicated by any other
secret society IN any State tho Union or in any
other country in the world
1t is also believed. by patrons at any rate. that
the grange is important and beneficial IN its
influence in the Granite State the size OF ths
organization would indicate: that the quality OF
its membership is par with its quantity.
Its growth in New-Hampshire is Of just thirtys
years. Gilman Grange, No. I. having been organ
lied with eighteen charter members on August Ia
1873. at Exeter; while the State Grange organ
ICED at Manchester. December o. 1873. with fifteen
subordinate oranges represented
The grange came into existence at opportuna
time. for the period Immediately following this
close Of the Civil War was as discouraging for
farmers as any in the history of the State. Their
acres both cultivated land and permanent pasture.
showed marked appearance OF deterioration IN fer
tility. the result Of a long term OF cropping IN
ignorance of the laws of nature regardless OF
them.
The Inflated prices prevailing during the Civil
War upon all property began to disappear. and the
farmer who wanted to sell his farm found THAI
not only was price of his surplus farm products
sent to market reduced bout 80 per cent. but tbs
value OF his farm also had begun to be depre-
had made such demands for labor and so adj
vanced the price Of it that it beyond prohtabis
employment upon the farm under the methods pre-
viouslv employed in its management. The Develop
uent cf the various Industrial. commercial and
TRANSPORTATION interests Of the State had been
great that the position occupied by the farmers a
generation earlier leaders in town and Stats
affairs had been largely assumed BY the repre-
sentatives Of other Industries.
These various reasons made the advent OF the
grange and other agencies for promoting the IN
terests Of agriculture Of great and timely iTnpor-
lance.
Formed upon the principle of fraternity and aim
ing to advance the interests Of husbandry BY in
creasins the intelligence OF those engaged therein.
the grange appeals with force 70 all interested IN
the welfare Of the State through the DEVELOPMENT
Of it's fundamental industry. Upon the Introduction
Of the organization in this State In 1S7 met with
opposition but its affairs have been directed with
such conservatism a to dispel all antagOnism and
allow IL 10 take its place an important educa-
tiora1 agency and a valiant champion OF rural IN
teTests.
It's work IN afforiing a means of social enjoy
ment. mental development and moral reform among
the rural people. tOget Their with the dissemination
of practical information il agricultural matters.
entities the grange high and honorabIe position
among the forces for good that build the State.
The influence Of the organization in New-Hamp-
shire through It's 9Sjt0 members and 1000 meetings
held in the Of year, in promoting more
progressive agriculture and more intelligent citi-
zsnship. is leaving a mark upon the affairs OF the
State that makes unnecessary any other record OF
it's work
The future historian viii eve the grange much
credit broad influence in promoting various
interests OF Importance the welfare of the State.
as well 10 the welfare OF agriculture.
For few years following its organization the
grange in New-Hampshire. as elsewhere lad 90