Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1905-03-02
THE GRANGE
Conducted by
J. w. BARROW. Chatham. N. r..
Press Correspondent Neae York State
Grange
GRANITE STATE CHANGERS.
Subordinate Oranges Will Contest
For Literary Honors.

Subordinate Oranges Will Contest
For Literary Honors.
We doubt il there is a state in the
Union where more attention is paid to
the literary and ritualistic work of the
grange than in New Hampshire They
have won pre- cminence there along these
lines. and they have deserved it. be-
cause hard and conscientious work has
accomplished it. The state lecturer aud
the executive committee have made ar
rangements for the lscrary competition
in 1905. The competition will begin
Feb. ! and end on Oct. 81 under the
following regulations:
Each grange competing shall have a
literary programme occupying a period OF
thirty minutes at any two regular or spe-
cial meetings in each month. This pro-
granme may consist of readings, essays,
discussions. dramas addresses. vocal and
instrumental music. 1t may be continued
for upward of thirty minutes. but no
evenings entertainment shall receive a
score Of more than sixty points. and those
programmes occupying less than thirty
minutes shall be scored at the rate of
TWO points per minute,
Each competing grange shall discuss at
the first meeting in February,s Should the
State Aid In the Construction and Main
tenance of Country Highways. and, if So,
How?N The topic discussed at the first
meeting in May shall be "WiIl the Es-
Establishment of National Forest Reserve
In the White Mountains Be of Benefit to
New Hampshire For September What
Public Improvement Is Most Needed In
This Locality, and What Can the Grange
DO to Secure IT." Any grange falling to
discuss the above questions shall forfeit
100 points on its total score for each dis
cussion omitted The district deputy in
making his award shall add to this liter
airy score a number of points equal to five
times the average per cent of attendance
of members for the year, and this total
shall be the basis of making the award
of the prize.
In addition to the recognition of SUI
perior excellence in literary work the
subordinate grange in each district of
the thirty-thlee deputies that ranks the
highest III degree work will be award
ed baskets and vases for grains, fruit
and flowers at Ceres. pomona's and
Floras stations The third degree will
be worked at the depSty's spring visit
and tile fourth at the fall inspection
visit and the score will be made by
the usual rating.
There is also to be L contest between
the Pomona or county oranges. The
basis of the competition will be on at
tendance and the rituaHstic work of
the officers and on punctuality in open
ing all meetings between Jan 81 and
Oct. l. 1905. except in July and August.
The Pomona grange in each of the two
districts having the highest score will
be awarded a set of officers station
lights under the following regulations:
The regular officers will be scored by
the deputy Oh the usual plan at the fall
inspection To this total score will be
added ten points for each public and
ten points for each closed session that
begins at the exact minute and hour,
standard time, announced in the pro-
gramme and notice of the meeting This
total shall he increased by the addi-
of each regular officer at any one meet
ing in each month that may be subse-
Quently selected by the grange If
the secretary's records do not contain
the required data. no credit shall be
given for that meeting There will also
he awarded to the superior grange
making the highest score in each Po-
mona district a secretary's cabinet case
under the following conditions: The
deputy shall credit each grange with
FIVE points for each dollar of dues col
lected between Jan. / and Oct /. 1905;
five points for each membership fee,
500 points for the smallest amount Of
uncollected dues and GOO points for
those oranges having no uncollected
dues on Oct I. 1906