Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-11-14
SUCCESS OF THE GRANGE
Past Year Has Been Marked by ex-
oeptIonaI Advancement and
Extension of the Order.

Everybody is interested In some
thing that succeeds, and 80 Ia the
present remarkable Grange popularity
all over the county in part explained.
The past year In the history of the
Grange has been marked by excep-
tional advancement and by a degree
Of extension Of boundaries never be-
fore eQualed In the Grange movement
In this country. The last issue Of
the National Grange Monthly, sum-
maries this extension work most con-
cisely and there is much Information
contained in the following statement
from that paper:
One Of the tests of the vitality of
an organization Is found in its capao-
ity for growth, as witnessed by the
accession of new members and the
establishment Of more branches.
When such evidences appear, 1t Is
reasonably safe to believe the or
ganization prosperous and It's outlook
good.
Thus measured, the National
Grange may well be congratulated on
what the nine months of it's present
year have wrought in the extension
of its boundaries. During the months
of the present summer quarter the
hot weather and the busy activities
of the farm are likely to preclude
much extension work; so that the
nine months from October l to July
/ practically cover the organization
season of the year.
For the quarter ending January 1,
90 new Oranges were organized and
16 were reorganiZed; for the quarter
ending April /, 1S6 new Oranges
were organized and 20 were reorgan-
lied; for the quarter ending July l,
11S new Oranges were organized and
13 were reorganized; making nine
months total of 403 new Oranges or
ganized and 40 Oranges reorganized.
A more substantial evidence of the
strength of the order could hardly
be asked than in it's capacity thus
clearly shown, to build up itself in
new fields and to attract to its mem
bership the thousands of people which
the charter rolls of these new Oranges
represent.
1t is further significant to note that
these new Oranges represent extern
sions of the order in all the Grange
states. In the first quarters organiza-
ton, % states shared; in the second
quarter, % states; in the Shird quar-
ter, % states. For first place in or
ganization records, there appears to
be pretty stiff rivalry, and enough de-
sirable competition to make the con-
test lively. SO far Ohio heads the
list, with 46 new Oranges during the
nine months; Oregon is close sec
ond with As new Granges Michigan
organized Al; Washington, 40; New
York, 80; Pennsylvania, 81. Here in
these six leaders is wildly seen
the middle west and on the Pacific
slope. Similarly widespread interest,
and growth are evidenced In the
states of fewer organizations, while
every listed Grange state in the coun-
try has shared in the institution Of
new Oranges or the reviving Of old
ones.
utSS are SOlut luc
Grange which patrons who desire to
be thoroughly informed on the order
VIII do well TO keep in mind. They
will prove a good answer to people
who are continually seeking to dis
credit the Grange and to belittle it's
influence and popularity, and may well
be stored up in memory for use on
;c
steady, substantial and nationwide.