_'l‘HE GRANGE VISITOR,‘ « F. M. HOLLOWAY, ISSUED EXECUTIVE Michigan State MONTHLY COMMITTEE Grange, P. of H, VoL. 3.—No. 7. SCHOOLCRAFT, OCTOBER, 1877. Whole No. 31 Is Published Montltly, AT THIRTY CENTS PER ANNUM, lnvariably in Advance. J. J. WOODMAN, J. T_ COBB’ : }Pnblishing Committee. All communications should be addressed to J. T. Cobb, Schoolcraft, Mich. Remittances should be by Registered Letter, Money Order or Draft. Runs or Anvnnrismo : 1 in. $2.00 1 Square ____ __ 2 “ 3.00 A Square is one inch in space, column width. I'r Is not the purpose of the Executive Com- mittee in continuing the publication of the Visrron, by direction of the State Grange, to deviate from the course first marked out in Feb- ruary last, which was to furnish the most direct, complete and cheapest medium of communica- tion between the oflicers and members of the Order thtn.-ugl.out the State. ' We hope Masters and Secretaries will not fail to call the attention of members to every matter of general interest, which appears in the Vrsrron; Communications on any subject, calculated to promote the good of the Order, are solicited. §’ For Grange Supplies kept by the Secretary, see “ LIST OF SUPPLIES ” on eight}: page. Officers Michigan State Grange. Paw Paw. - Tecumseh. Muskegon. M.—J. J. WOODMAN, O.——P. W. ADAMS, L.—C. L. WHITNEY, . S.—H. FLEMING, Pontiac. A. S.—W. H. MATTISON, Ionia. C.—SALMON STEEL, Bear Lake. Manis’e Co SEC.——J. T. COBB, ' Schoolcraft. T.—S. F. BROWN, - “ G. K.—A. N. WOODRUFF, - Watervliet. CEREB.——MBS. C. L. WHITNEY, Muskegon. POMONA—-MRS. W. T. ADAMS, Grand Rapids. FLORA-MES. J. J. WOODMAN, Paw Pa_w. L. A. S.—Mns. W. H. MATTISON, Ionia. Executive Committee. J. WEBSTER CHILDS, Chairm’n, Ypsilanti. - Hillsdale. GEO. W. WOODWARD. Shelby, Oceana Co. SAMUEL LANGDON, Bowen Stat’n. Kent CO. C. G. LUCE, Gilead, Branch Co, s. E. JEFFRES. okemos, Inghaqn 00- WESTBROOK DIVINE, Belding. 101115 Q0- J. J. WOODMAN, J. T. COBB, - Ex. Ofiiclo State‘ Business‘Agent. J. H. GARDNER, Centreville, St. Joseph Co. Deputies. C. L. WHITNEY, General Depqty. Muske;gon- H. A. DANVILLE, North’n Mich: P.O. M_arilla. Wm, KILPATRICK, Lake Co. “ Baldwin City. ALBERT DAY, Wayne .'~‘ Wayne- W. 0. SMITH, Osceola “ C1‘8P0- WM. F, LEWIS, ._0ceana “ New Era- Gno. B. DELONG, Monroe “ M0nF,03- IRA W. DoNALI>sou, Oakland Pontiac. W. O.Sl(I'1‘H, Osceola Co.. Crap0.Mn SW00- it Support the VISITOR by subscribing. Qurresgantlenrc. HOME, ‘OCT. 10th, 1877. Worthy S'ec’y Cobb : In this agricultural State of ours, we find many thriving and apparent- ly prosperous cities and villages.- They add very much to the popula- tion. the industry and the wealth of the State, and are found convenient and useful in the transaction of busi- ness. It is acknowledged to. be_ a very good thin: to have a thriving, busy city or village near» it not too near-a farm. And so far as the transaction of honest legitimate busi- ness is concerned, the advantage is found to be mutual. But unfortu- nately, people often congregate in cities and villages for other purposes than honest trade and useful busi- ness. ‘ If it is possible to find a city or village free from liquor, tobacco, loaf- ers, paupers and criminals, it is a rare exception, and does not change the rule. Wherever the three first nam- ed meet, the two last named are the inevitable product, and seem to be inseparable, and they meet most nat- urally and conveniently where we all go to transact our business. Of course there are no farmers, farmers‘ sons, wives or daughters that are Weak and foolish enough to be fasci- nated and led astray by the allure- ments of that kind of life, and it is not my purpose to write a moral lec- ture. But there is a practice that pre- vails in every city and village to some extent, that has its fascinations, and our people are often thoughtlessly led into, that is always inconvenient and burdensome, often demoralizing and ruinous. It is the practice of ex- travagance. The practice of api_ng other silly people in dress, in equip- age. in buildings, furniture, &c., for the mere purpose of show, in order to appear to be what we are not, with- out regard to either comfort or means. Extravagance in eating does not pro- mote health, in dress it does not pro- mote comfort, in style or equipage it is often an evidence of bad taste and no sense. ' In cities and villages men sometimes get money easy, with but little effort; it they are proud and vain of it, they make a pompous show, and often ex- hibit their lack of good sense with their money or equipagey but 1'3 1110“? often happens that those who make the most show of business and ex- t,.,,,Va,gance, do it with other people’s money, and do not pay their debts.» Instances of this kind of reckless fol- ly and dishonesty are a matter of daily exhibition. . Would it add any- thing to the consequence, the dignity or the happiness of a farmer or his wife, to be able to vie with such peo- .ple in a weak and silly attempt to appear to be somebody on account of clothes or something else that they have stolen? It is not long since a prosperous farming neighborhood in a beautiful locality in Michigan were shocked by the news that one of their number lay dead in his new house hardly completed. Before his house was completed or furnished he realized that he had assumed a load of debt that he could not carry. In building his house be copied city methods, but he had too much honor to deed his property to his wife, and then ofler to compromise with the men who had trusted him on his own terms, and yet he had not courage to struggle on un- der the load, and went out and hung himself. H ow gladly on that sad morning would his wife and children have welcomed a small comfortable house with the husband and father restored. How contemptable, how odious in that ghastly prisoner did style and fashion appear compared with What they had lost. And yet the same thing, with variations, is a matter of almost constant occurrence, and many are the victims that strug- gle on through a wearisome life. sub- ject to a slavery more hopeless, more relentless, and more intolerable than any other on earth, because they have not the courage to resolve to break the shackles and be free. There are no people on earth that have a better right to have and enjoy the good things of this world than farmers and their wives and children; they are apt to earn honestly all they get, and one of the best and most en- joyable things within their reach is good sense. . It adds to their comfort, to their prosperity, to their self-re- spect, to their dignity and indepen- dence ; in short, if well supplied with that, every thing else is made easy, and neither fashions or ‘ bad habits will be allowed to control. If farmers and their families could compete with the denizens of cities in fashionable dress and display, or in idleness and dissipation, it would be no credit to them, and should afford them no satisfaction. We are all un- der moral obligation as citizens, to make some good use of our time, and to have some regard to the effect our example has upon others. fi',:'_ _» u -...x,, -,‘:: ;, 2 ‘ ‘ THE GRANGE VISITOR- How silly then, how foolish and contemptable the effort to ape or co- py the extravagant folly of useless city tops and belles, in order to ap- pear respectable. Is a grand and no- ble manhood acquired by extrava- gance in dress, by tippling at a sa- loon, or by sucking a ten cent cigar? Is such a womanhood acquired by carrying and dragging extravagant finery about the street to advertise the business of shop-keepers and milliners? One of the best pro- ducts the farm ever has or will pro- duce, is grand and noble men and wo- men, and the market has never been overstocked; the demand will always exceed the supply; there will always be room for them to work, and work for them to do. Let us then strive, one and all, to keep these free from all bad habits, and in a condition to do their work faithfully, honestly and successfully. Very Truly, ALONZO SESSIONS. ‘ _ *6 Somehow I Attribute it to the Grange.” For the VISITOR. When the Grange movement first broke upon a startled world, every new or strange event that occurred was attributed to the Grange. If the financial world was in distress, it was straightway laid at the door of the Grange. If a man failed in business and made an as- signment, wise men shook their heads omin- ously and said, with a sad funeral smile, “ be- hold the work of the Grange.” If the day was extremely cold the cry was “ observe the work of these cold-hearted Grangers.” If the weath- er was excessively hot, then the world was re- minded that the fiery Granger was the cause. Well, it was strange that the slow- moving farmer should organize for the protection and promotion of his interests. But he has done it. It is an accomplished fact; and the world still moves. Sensible people, have, in a measure, become reconciled to it, and even the most skep- tical have been able to discern some small de. gree of good in it' Many of the wild notions that prevailed at first in regard to it, have been removed. The simpleton who at first told, and I will charitably suppose, believed the foolish charges made, have died off, or have been edu. cated into better sense. Yet late developments convince us that there is still danger, that a, new crop of defamers, more wicked and foolish than the first, are likely to grow up. _ -These thoughts have been called up by read. ing an article that has made the usual rounds of the papers, in reference to the recent riots and strikes. It seems that Wm. H. Vanderbilt son of the great Commodore of rail-road fame’ induced some reporter to interview him upoii the subject of the strike. Mr. V. is supposed to have thrown himself back in his easy chair with the true Vanderbilt pomposity, and or- der the poor scribe to proceed. He did so by asking the great man “ what was the cause of the strike P” He said “somehow I attribute it largely to the Grange.” Mr. Vanderbilt is not a fool, but on the contrary is a far-seeing, saga. cious business man. But so far as the expres- sion of the above opinion is concerned, he might as well have been. Nothing more absurd or nntruthful has ever been charged to the Order-_ Mr. V. knew it. He made the charge for efiect, upon weaker men than himself. To charge the cold or hot weather to the Grange was just as reasonable and truthful as this charge is, yet I now and then find a man silly enough to be. it. Of course it is only a sort of half-witted people who do. but one is surprised to see how many of these there still are in this world. This charge was made at a time when there was a strong feeling throughout the country against the course pursued by the strikers, The purpose was to take advantage of this feeling to prevent any further legislatien in regard to Rail Roads. He desired to fasten the impres- sion upon the public mind that the Grange was responsible for the strike. Then, if a bill was introduced in _ any legislature touching rail- roads, he and his friends would cry out Grange Bill, and use the prejudice aroused to defeat the bill. this connection, I, trust that the read- _,,. ..._ -. .. ers of the VISITOR will bear in mind a few fact: . lst. That rail-road legislation is_as old 8-5 9 railroads themselves. When Michigan sold 91‘ roads to companies nearly forty years 8-20» 1195 people were really anxious for rail-roads. anf for the purpose of securing an exteIlSl011 0 rail-road facilites her legislature surrendered all the rights it dared to. But certain legisla- tive control was exercised over them. _ Passen- ger fare was fixed at three cents per mile. The general rail-road law passed twenty-two years ago, (before the word Grange was known’) gives the legislature complete control _of the companies formed under it. Proper rail-road legislation is right. Society must never surren- der this right. It belongs to the public for the protection of its dearest interests. It should be exercised with care, prudence, and fairness. But the Grange is not responsible for the in- auguration of rail-road legislation. It is true that the farmers of some of the Western. States, after long years of oppression by certain rail- roads, did unite and obtain control of the legis- lature of their States and passed laws compell- ing the roads to be what they claimed to be——a public benefit. These laws went through all the Courts to the Supreme Court of the United States. Chief Justice Waite speaking for that high tribunal, declared these laws to be right and constitutional. The Chicago Tribune in commenting upon this decision, says : These laws and the decision thereon did not come a day too soon. 2d. It is well to remember that the late strike originated and spent nearly all its force and fury, so far as rail-road hands were engaged, in communities and States where the Grange has no great strength and has passed no laws. 3d. It is well to make note of the fact that out of the 50,000 strikers, more or less, that there was not a Granger among them. There was not one in a thousand who had ever heard a Grange speech or read a Grange document. N 0. no, the Grangers are not rioteis and tur- inoil makers, but law-abiding, law-loving citi- zens. It is no part of my purpose here to attempt to give the causes of, or the cure for the strike ; still I desire to modestly suggest that some of the rail-road managers can get sight of the men who are somewhat to blame by looking in a glass. So far as rail-road management in this State is concerned, we have less reason to com- plain than some of our neighbors. But there are, even here, some well grounded causes of complaint. There are some cases where injus- tice is done that ought to be corrected. From our late Rail-road Commissioner we had nothing to hope. He had espoused the cause of the companies. We hope better things of the present Commissioner. We want him to stand between the companies and the people, and see that justice is done to all. In some cases dis- crimination in ‘freight tariffs are grossly un- Just. Under injustice the people are, and always will be restive. Let the Commissioner induce the roads to correct their abuse, volun- tarily. If they will not, then they must be required to do so by law. And no cry of Granger and striker will deter people from uniting upon their rights. Respectfully, FAIR PLAY. LOWELL, Mich., Oct. 8,(I877. Wo7'thy Bro. J. T. Cobb.-—I wish to take up the agency business. 1st. How shall it be conducted so that the greatest number shall receive the greatest benefit. To accomphisli this the State Aglts should operate from the best distributing point to accommodate the largest possible number. 2d-. It is of the greatest importance that liebe patronized by_every Grange in. the State, for by massing our orders with him to the greatest extent possible, vile will tenatble him to make iarge pur- c asesa a ime, thereb ’ very best rates. y buymg at the 3d. '1‘o accom lish thi . Sub-Grange Agdts, should (3000-dpletiihtggig to the time of sending in their orders for instance, on the first of every month or each alternate month instead of or.’ derillg a few dollars worth of goods at time each week or two order three ta five times the amount at once therebo savaing much in freight &c ’ y 4th. How shall We eflzect this no ‘ the least possible time. Would itw In be for the good of the Order for iii): mightadopt some Plan. or plans to ac. larger amounts than any one person , 00"“ P°S5ib1y buy. Hoping that some. i thing will be done in the right direction to accomplish the above object. I remain, Fraternally Yours, A PATRON. HAMILTON, Sept. 20th, 1877. Bro. Cobb .-—Enclose_d find another crop report, I have received but a few reports from the Lecturers of the Sub- ‘ordinate Granges of this County, and have not sufficient date on which to base an opinion in regard to the ultimate value of the system. In theory it is beautiful. When every Grange in the United States will report accurately up- on a certain day of each montli—the condition of the crops—the amount on band, 850.; we will have ‘information thatis reliable and need no longer be misled by the reports of lying corres- pondeiits or interested speculators. We will " know how it is ourselves.” The exercise of ordinary ‘business care and promptness in making out these reports would make it a success, and secure what no nation has ever attained a re- liable crop report with all its incalcula- ble advantages. A very little careless- ness inaccuracy and delay in making out and forwarding them and the whole thing is a failure. It would hear the earmarks of incompetence and unrelia- bility, and would soon be classed with other crop reports as a “ suspicious char- acter.” The whole responsibility of its success or failure rests upon the Lec- turers of the Subordinate Granges. If every one of them will do his whole duty as a Patron, fill out the blanks carefully answer every question, wheth- er he thinks it necessary or not, and» be sure and get the figures in the proper column, and forward the report on time, we will all reap the benefits and give them all the glory. MARTIN, Sept. 21st, 1877. Worthy Brother.--—At a meeting of Martin Grange held September 18th, an article was read by the VVorthy Lecturer in the Detroit Weekly Tribune, from the pen of Mr. Duncan Stewart, formerly a grain merchant of Detoit, giving his views of the grain trade of the world, and valuable advice to the Grangers and Farmers generally of the west. To show their appreciation of Mr. Stewartls effort in behalf of the farmer, the members unanimouly adopted the following resolutions: Resolved, That we hezfrtily concur and all unite in a vote of thanks to our es- teemed friend Mr. Duncan Stewart, of Detroit, for his timely warning in re- gard to the grain trade and the grain market, and also the interest he has manifested in the welfare of the farmer and husbandman. Resolved, That in Duncan Stewart, the Farmer, the Producer, and the la- boringman, has an able, fearless and im- partial friend. Resolved, That the Secretary of this Grange send a copy of these resolutions to the Secretary of the State Grange for publication in the Grange VISITOR, and through the VISITOR, we request the other Granges of the State to take the same or similar action in this matter. W. H. SOUTHVVICK, Secly. BRONSON, Oct. 6th, 1877. Owing to the smallness of our paper, it seems almost an intrusion to make mention of an individual Grange. Bull having never seen a communication from this Grange appear in its columns. I will beg space to say, that Bronson Grange is alive, and in a healthy con- dition. On Thursday, October 4th. the Patrons and their friends met at their Hall, and after partaking of the neces- saries of life, soon prepared themselves for its luxuries which we had in the W8)’ "fa Speech from Bro. C. G. Luce. Of Gilead. I wish it could be repeated to “~Ve|'.Y Grange in the State. It seems to me that gatherings of this kind are none to frequent. One cannot fail to see their enlivening efliects on the members. an the good order and fraternal feeling that GRANGE VISI'FOR. 3 always attends gatherings of this kind in the Grange commands the respect, and admiration of those who are not members of the Order, Fraternally, R. C. IONIA, Sept. 29th, 1877. lVorthy Seclg and Bro. .-—At a meet- in of the Ionia County Grange held at South Boston Hall, Sept. 18th, the fol- lowing resolution was adopted and or- dered to be sent to Grange Vrsrron for publication. Resolved, That we recommend that all producers of wheat, and especially the Patrons of Husbandry hold their wheat and not put more than one-tenth of the crop per month on the market,. and all who can hold their wheat until the month of May, 1878. M. M. CURRIER, Secly. At a meeting of Eureka Grange, No. 11, Texas, on the 15th of September, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That we will stand by our State Executiue Committee in the con- tract entered into with Messers. Day & Taylor, and will purchase our plaster of said firm, at the rates agreed upon with ’ said firm, by the State Executive Corri- mittee. A. JONES, Sec. pro-tem. BUCHANAN, Oct. 6th, 1877. BROTHER COBB :- Dear Sir.-—The Pomona Grangc of Berrieu County have organized an As- sociation known as the “ North West- ern Produce Exchange” with an agent in Chicago to despose of our products. We have sent Bro. J. C. Miller, to Chi- cago as our agent, and he is doing a gen- eral COII1I11lSHl0ll business at No, 53 Mar- ket Street. He is prepared to sell for Granges generally, and all others con- signing goods to him. VVe are organized under the provisions of the statute for the organization of. Co-operative Associations, and intend to give the matter a fair trial. We desire that you will notifiy the Subordinate Granges throughout the State, and also the State Granges of the north-western States of our Organization and place of business. We feel confident that if our people will stand by -us in this enter- prise, thousands of dollars annually can be saved to the Patrons of Michigan and the west. ' . All shipments to be made to J. C. Miller, 53 Market Street. Bro. Milleris a man of undoubted intatrrity and good‘ business ability, having had consider- able experience. ' Yours Truly, LEVI SPARKS, Sec’y. Berrien Co. Grange. Our Berrien County friends have made a success of their Co-operative Store at Buchanan, and from their determination to push forward, and overcome all ob- stacles, we have great hopes of their success in this new enterprise. They say they have got the right man. We hope the Patrons of Western Mich. will make consignments to Bro. Miller. This Communication was overlooked in making up the last number of the VISITOR, which we regret. BENGAL, Clinton County, Mich., August 22, 1877. J. '1‘. Cone, Esq., lVo7't}1._z/ Brother :—-VVe have organized a Co-operative Association at St. ._Iohn’s_ in this County, with a cash capital or about $1200, and hope to increase it soon. R. W. Maxam, is President; J. D. Rich- mond, Secretary, and Cortland H1“: Salesman. We intend to mmmence business about the first of September. Fraternally yours, CORTLAND HILL, Master Bengal Grange. N 0- 235- §asier's‘ éepartment. J. J. WOODMAN, — — — PAW PAW National and State Granges. The Eleventh Annual Session of the National Grange will be held at the Grand Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio. The session will commence at 10 o’cl’k A. M. of Wednesday. the 21st day of Nov. next. It is desired and expect- ed that all members of the Order who can make it convenient to do so, will attend the sessions of the National Grange. ' The 5thAnnual Session of the State Grange of Michigan will be held in Representative Hall in the city of Lansing, commencing at, 10 o’clock A. M. Tuesday, the 11th day of Decem- ber next. It is very important that a full and complete return of the names, and post ofiice address of all the Representatives elected to the State Grange, be made to the Secre- tary of the State Grange at once, so as to enable the Secretary to make up a complete list of the members before the meeting of the Grange. This will facilitate the organization for business, and save time at the opening of the session, in making up and correcting the roll of members. Landlords and 'l‘enants.—'l‘l1(-. Grangers _Millennlum. The following extract from the Ed- itorialcolumns.of the New York Times, of April 25th, I877, will be interesting to the farmers of Michigan. The article from which the extract is made is not the “letter of a cor- respondent,” but an Editorial, there- fore authentic. It commences with a wail of lamen- tation over the unproductive agricul- ture of the country, and concludes as follows : ‘ ~ “The trouble at the bottom of all this springs from our system of own- ership of farms. Formerly, farmers worked hard, but borrowed no trouble on that, or any other account; now they are downtroden and worried, and worry isa far heavier burden than work. How to procure money to make the ends meet is the burden of their minds and nothing comes to ease it. This is the general condition of things among those who cultivate the soil. Is there a way of deliverance! There seems to be but one remedy, and that is a slow one, and not imme- diately effective. To reach it, both farmers and capitalists need to be educated to it, but it seems to be in- evitable that it must come about in course of time. It is ‘a change of ownership of the soil, and the creation of a class of landowners on one hand, and of tenant farmers on the other. Something similar, in both cases, to what has long existed and now exists. in the older countries of Europe, and similar, also, to a system that is com- mon in our own State of California. Those farmers who are land poor must sell, and become tenants in place. of owners of the soil. The lioarded idle capital must be invested In these lands and turned over to the poor far- mers, who will at once be set upon their feet; not to go and loaf about towns and villages, spending their money while it may last, but to buy with this money stock, fertilizers. im- plements, machines, and go to work to cultivate the soil profitably. In- stead of their money being sunk and dead in unproductive acres, it will be invested in cows, sheep, swine of im- proved breeds ; guano and fertilizers, by which the crops will be doubled or trebled. It will thus become active and productive, and capable of doub- ling itself within .i year. The farmer will be relieved from the burden of a bad investment on which he now makes no interest, and his money will be placed where it will do the most good. He will at once be lifted from poverty to financial ease. and in place of an unsalable farm, he will have 10 Show for his money some property that will realize all that it is worth at a public sale at 24 hours notice.- Very much more than this is implied in this change that is so obvious to the practical man that it need not be particularized. It is very certain that American agriculture is on the eve of serious changes and of great improvements. This must be, for it cannot go back and it cannot stay where it is. The greatest industry of the country cannot remain in an un- profitable or unsatisfactory condition, nor can it long remain without the use of adequate capital .to invigorate it and give it full scope. Thousands of persons now idle look to it for em- ployment, and if there were farms to rent there would be plenty of tenants for them. Everything seems ripe for change. Half the farms in the coun- try are ready to be sold if buyers would only appear; and hundred that can now be bought for less than their value 20 or 30 years ago need only some judicious outlay to make them as productive as ever. Few farmers can hope to provide their sons with farms of their own, and there is \no place for these young men in the over- crowed cities. But to stock a rented farm is not so diflicult a matter for 9. father intent on starting his son in life. This would be easy to do if the farm could be rented on a long and satisfactory lease. But before this can be done‘ the owner of the land must hold it as a permanent invest- ment, and not as a property to be offered for sale to the first comer.—- When farm land is so’ held by the owners, there will be some probability, that it will be permanently improved, and then such property will be eager- ly sought for by tenants who will be able and willing to rent it on long leases, and cultivate it in a more pro- ductive and profitable manner than farms are now worked. And then will begin a. new era in American ag- riculture, and one that seems to be very desirable.” ERRATA. — in September VISITOR, Master's Department, 4th line of the 3d ruling of the Executive Committee of the State Grange; the “ member,” should read “ Master.” M List of Delegates, to the State Grange will appear in the No‘: number oi the Vrsrron. i ti 4 THE GRANGE V1SIT(-)R. THE GRANGE Visrron. SCHOOLCRAFT, OCT., 1877. gecrctaryfis gepartment. J. T. COBB, — - - - SCHOOLCRAFT. Ofiicers and members of Subordinate Granges in corresponding with this office, will please always give the Number of their Grange. —{——— BLANKS. Blanks that are sent free from this ofiice on application are: Blank Quarterly Reports of Secretaries of Sub- ordinate Granges. Blank Quarterly Reports of Secretaries of P0- mona Granges. Blank application for organizing Pomona Granges, — Blank applications for Membership in Pomona Granges. Blank Bonds of Secretary and Treasurer. Blank Election Reports of Sub. Granges. Blank Certificates of Election to County Convention. Blank Certificates of Representatives elected to the State Grange. Blanks for Consolidation of Granges. Blank Application for Certificate of Dimit. Blank Plaster Order I. Blank Certificate of Incorporation‘. Granges delinquent in reports from Secretaries for quarter ending March 31st. 1877: N05. 44, 48, 62, 75, 95, 111, 142, 146, 1-17, 156, 204, 206, 209, 211, 214, 223, 2-14, 249, ‘.755, 302, 319, 320, 330, 347, 356, 371, 377, 385, 409, 410, 412, 418, 431, 444, 445, 447,‘ 469, 473, 488, 500, 501, 502, 531, 542, 551, 552, 567, 587, 596, 604, 605, 607, 612, 617. > This list does not include those dor- mant Granges that have not reported for a year or more. ~j.______.__._A Crop Report for quarter ending Septem- her 30th, l87’1.—Coudition of Granges. The experiment of obtaining a Crop Report, and a statement of the condition, extent and amount of bus- iness done by the Order in this State, while it is not as complete as it should have been, is not such a failure as to discourage us altogether. A great many facts are concentrated in the few Reports which have been return- ed to my oflice. Beginnings are of- ten not only small but very imper- fect, and When I remember what kind of Quarterly Reports I ‘used to get from Secretaries of Granges four years ago, and compare them with what I now get, I think we may hope in a year or two to have Crop Reports that will be so complete and reliable that they will be very useful. We have the best organization in the world for obtaining correct informa- tion about the products of the coun- try, and the acreage and condition of growing crops, and the question is, are we sulficiently awakened to the ,value of this knowledge in relation to our own business so as to co—operale together, get the facts from first hands concentrate them, and have them re- turned to us in such a state of com- pleteness, that we may derive a posi- tive pecuniary benefit from the knowledge so obtained. To bring about this result would be very cred liable to the Order, and is worth an effort on the part of every Patron who comprehends the value of facts as against conjecture. We expect more and better Reports at the close of the next quarter. " l i We have received .three Reports from Lecturers of County Granges.- These were made up mainly from ob- servation and inquiry of the Lecturer ‘rather than from the very few- Re- ports received by that oflicer from the Lecturers of the Subordinate Granges of his County. Fifty-one Reports have been re- ceived from Subordinate Granges, made out frequently by the Secreta- ry instead of the Lecturer as intend- ed. . Some of these Reports were made in the first and some in the last month of the quarte1'. It may be thought best soon to have Monthly Reports. Indeed several of the oflicers sending in these Reports have advised it and ask ed for Blanks for that purpose.—— Until we have Monthly Reports, the blanks furnished should not be filled until the last month of the quarter for which the Report is made. They should then be forwarded to the Co. Lecturer where there is such an of’fi- cer, otherwise to me for compilation 1 and publication in the next issue of ‘ the VISITOR. The task of compilation I found a somewhat diflicult one, and I have determined that the conclusions reached could be best stated in a gen- eral way rather than by a table or by figuringout per centages. The reports received came from counties as follows: _ Allegan, 2, Barry, 2, Branch, 1, Calhoun, 1, Cass, 1, Clinton, 4, Eaton, 2, Gratiot, 1, Hillsdale, 3, Ionia, 4, Kalamazoo, 5, Kent, 4, Livingston, 1, Manistee, 2, Mason, 1, Monroe, 1 N-ewaygo, 2, Oce- ana, 1, Oakland, 1, St. Joseph, 1, St. Clair, 1, Saginaw, 2, Sanilac, 1, Shia- wassee, 1, Van Buren, 6, Washtenaw, 1, Wayne, 1, and Wexford, 1. The report for Wheat is “4,” or “good.” The “breadth of seeding as compared with the previous year,” "Greater.” Average yield per acre, 18 bushels. Twenty-four granges report a surplus of 29,l00 bushels. Oats are reported as having a greater acreage than the year before, with an average of 35 bushels per acre. 22 Granges have 97,000 bush- els for market. But lew report Rye and Buckwheat. The average of Rye IS 15, of Buckwheat, 14 bushels per acre. Clover Seed 1 6-10 bush- els per acre. Corn, 41, Potatoes, 96 bushels per acre. The average of Hay is 1% tons per acre. Apples and Peach- es a failure, except so far as Reports show in Allegan, St. Clair and Van Buren Counties. Under thehead of “Remarks,” the Lecturer of Fennville Grange writes, “there has been shipped from our sta- rt-ion. 45,000 packages of Peaches, 20,000 of Grapes, and 500 barrels of _Apples. The fruit crop has beena Joyful one to the Patrons of this County this year, and we would sug- gest that more fruit be raised and less grain." “_Fennsville Grange No. 461 is pros- perlng finely. All its members take a lively interest in the Grange, and appear to enjoy it. The members take an interest in it the right way, and make our meetings interesting. We have 70 members, and are still adding to the list. We have a com- modious hall and good music when we meet.” Pomona Grange No. 218, report 4,000 bushels of Apples, and 40,000 of Peaches. The Lecturer of St. Clair (30. reports 80,000 bushels of Apples and 200 of Peaches, as the surplus in that Co. for market. '1‘he Wool crop was reported ‘as just about equal in amount to last year. Butter a little in excess of last year. Few reports upon the make of Cheese. Fat Hogs, 5 per cent. more than last year. Fat Cattle and Sheep, less. Horses, same. Store Sheep, stock has diminished. Store Hogs, increased. The reports of the condition of the granges were more complete and sat- istactory than the Crop Reports, al- though many enquiries were not an- swered nnder this head. The reports show 8 per cent. meet monthly, 64 per cent. semi-monthly, and 28 per cent weekly. 86 per cent. report attendance of members ‘fgood”, 14 per cent. ‘ poor." 90 per cent. re- port the attendance of ofiicers “good”, 10 percent. “poor.” 87 per cent. “have discussions or literary enter- tainments” at their meetings, 13 per cent. do not. 34 per cent. “have re- ceived applications for membership during the quarter,’-’ 66 per cent. have not. 10 dimits were granted, 46 suspensions for non-payment of dues, and seven expulsions. 48 per cent. have local or home arrange- ments for buying goods at a discount, and 52 percent. have not. 70 per cent. have business agents, and 30 per cent. have not. 54 per cent. have a purchasing fund, and 46 per cent. have not. 40 per cent. report having purchased of the State Agent, 60 per cent. have not. 32 per cent. buy of cooperative stores, and 68 per cent. do not. 34 per cent. report having a C0. Agent, 66 per cent have none. 17 Granges report purchases during the quarter, amounting to $3,962, at an average saving of 25 per cent. . In the matter of co-operation in selling farm produce, the answers were mainly “N 0.” Only 10 per cent. answering “Yes,” and those related mostly to the sale of wool and fruit A little more than half report Coun- ty Granges or Councils in their coun- ty, and the reports were equally di- vided as to the pecuniary and social value derived from the county organ- ization. One-half of the Granges re- porting are incorporated, and 40 per cent. own halls. 17 Granges report hall property worth $10,800, and a to- tal of $14,735, including fixtures. To the enquiry, “do the members of your Grange generally appreciate and im- prove the social and educational ad- vantages of the Order,” 5-6 per cent. replied ‘-Yes.” The directors of the Co-operative (Grange) Store in this place have just finished taking an account of stock and striking a balance. They find that the business has been well con- ducted and has rt fair profit to show upon the investment. All reports to the contrary notwithstanding.-Kulw mazoo Daily Telegraph. BLANKS.—BlankS for quarterly Re- ports and Blank Orders for Plaster will be sent to Secretaries Nov. 1st. ‘.—o THE GRANGE VISITOR. 5 gist: ggenfs gepartment. J. H. GARDNER, - CENTIIEVILLE. Patrons, it is now time to commence making up orders for sugars, molasses and’ rice from the south. Masters and Secretaries, call the attention of your Granges to it, so that it may not be delayed. I expect to send to Lou- isana for these goods the last of No- vember, or as soon as I can learn of there being a stock of the new crops on hand, and prices are established. Sugars" in hogsheads of, 1100 lbs. to 1200 lbs. each are about a half cent less per lb. than the sameigrade in barrels. Molasses barrels are about 48 gals. each, and half barrels are 24 gals. each; the half bbls. cost more than full barrels proportionately. All orders must be accompanied with the money as there is no trust there.- Rice is put in barrels of 350 lbs., and in tierees of 400 to 500 lbs. I have now a lot of refined sugars on hand, which I will dispose of by the barrel, at the lowest market rates, asI desire to clear them out soon; consisting of Granulated; Standard A.; Grocers A.; extra C., and choice yellow. White Fish, at $4,00 per half bbl.; Kits 90 cts. each; also all kinds of groceries; kerosene oil, Mich. test is now 29 cts. in Detroit. I can furnish it here for 28 cts. of the best quality for cash. Boots and Shoes of the best make constantly on hand, at lowest prices for the quality of’ goods. Flannels, all descriptions: socks, hose, mittens, wristlets, woolen yarns, all colors; gloves, carpet warp, candle-wicking, and general notions on hand in any quantity desired. Rubber goods, boots, arctics, alaskas, sandals, over shoes, coats and rubber cloths .in stock; also nearly all kinds ofdomestic cotton goods on hand, or ordered di- rect from the jobbers and wholesale _ dealers. Don‘t neglect to get your wife a first class sewing machine for $25.00, or a good machine on a plain table for $]8,lM); sent on 20 days trial. They are shuttle machines, and make the lock stich; after trying, if not satis- factory they can be returned. I have a number of farm wagons which I now offer for 356,00 each; with a double box, spring seat, whif- fletrees and neck-yoke, as good as is made in Michigan, for cash with or- ders; as I am about done trusting some creep-easys. Heavy team har- ness for $26,00 ; good horse blankets of 5 lbs each for $1,15 ; fine plald blankets 6 lbs. each, for 952,00, best quality. I am still buying salt daily at 85 cts. a bbl. Freights will soon advance, and all who want any this year had best order it soon Write your name and post oflice plainly, where you re-. ceive your letters; also name of sta- tion where you want goods shipped, and what roads you want them to come over. This will avoid mistakes and time and save freting, because they dont come by telegraph instant- ly. Don’t wait until you Want an 31" ticle to use, but see what you are go- ing to need for months to come, and always have 5a stock on hand for sev- eral weeks use. Remember that the freight is not much more for a hundred pounds than : for five pounds. ceive and sell on commission any grain, seed, fruit, butter, eggs, &c., at lowest rates. Mr. Beck is reliable and responsible for any amount with which you may trust him, and I know of no better commission house than his, and many who have sent their produce to him report that they are well satisfied and have realized more than they could have done in their local markets. ize the best results in our business transactions. we must concentrate our trade more, and work together, not each one “paddling his own canoe,” but all padling in a large boat with a uniform stroke. Impon-cant to ‘G1-anges. I desire all Granges in Michigan to If _we expect to real- . = thoughtful consideration. send me a statement of the amount of 3 their purchases since Dec. 20th, 1876, to Dec. 1st, 1877, and, the estimated amount of the saving over the usual price in their local markets. Please to send this statement to me during the first week in December, so that I can report to the State Grange the result. J. H. GARISNER, State Agent. A RESOLUTION MUCH NEEDED NoW.— Our fathers were very shrewd as well as very courageous men. Every aris- tocratic device that the aristocratic enemies of the infant republic brought forward, was foiled at the outset by their sagacity. They foresaw distinct- ly the danger of permitting a congress of bankers to rule the country, and on the 16th of January, 1794, the follow- ing resolution Was passed by the Con- gress of the United States, and signed by George Washington, President of the United States, and John Adams, Vice-President: “Any person holding anyoflice or stock, in any institution in the nature of a bank, for issuing or discounting bills or notes payable to bearer or or- der, under the authority of the United States, cannot be a member of either house whilst he holds such office or stock.” ' Now there are nearly two hundred stock-holders and managers of na- tional banks in Congress, and as a matter of course the current of legis- lation is in their favor. It would be a good thing if Granges generally would adopt the practice of the first Grange organized in New Jersey, in Middlesex County. . It meets twice a month; once at its hall for general discussion of business, and once at the house of some one of its members. At these last meetings the members visit the fields and out- houses, and usually find sufiicient ma- terial for -discussion at the next meet- ing in the hall. By this course a more fraternal feeling between mem bers and their families is produced, and the social as well as business tal- ents of the participants is brought out.——Fl.:rme-rs’ Friend. _ #(____ Business Men to the Front. There has propably been no period in the history of the country when sound practical legislation was more Thomas Beck, of Detroit, will m_ g needed than at the present time.— Business of all kinds has in a great measure come to a stop. Capital on the one hand is unable to find employ- ment, and on the other hundreds of thousands of Workingmen are idle and have been idle for years. If we could put these two forces to work the dull times would soon disappear. How to do it is the problem. "W hat we need as we have said, is practical legislation, and we must have practical men to do it. With all due respect for the lawyers we think we have too many of them in Con- gress and in our state legislatures, and it is time they gave place to men who understand the important financial and industrial questions that now so loudly call for the wisest and most No coun- try in the world has so many lawyers legislating for it as the United States. In France and England and Germany the financial, commercial and agricul- tural interests are largely represented in the national councils, and there can be no doubt that the prosperity of those countries is in a large measure due to this fact The most distin- guished of French Writers has char- acterized lawyers as the “ conserva- tors ol ancient barbarous usages,” and condition of our statute books to- day shows how closely he has hit the mark. We respectfully suggest to the lawyers that this is an excellent time for them to step down and out and to political parties that they will have no better opportunity than the present of putting the country under a great ob- I: ligation to them Let them nominate a large proportion of good, honest business men for oflice, for the com- mon councils as well as for the state legislatures, and let us at last have some practical, sensible legislation, instead of the conservation of ancient barbarous usages.-—ZV. Y Iferald. The Usefulness of our Want Column. A subsciber in Ontario County writes: “ Seeing an advertisement in the HUSBANDMAN want column-by a Grange, asking for seed potatoes, I addressed the parties at once and sold acar load. VVhen this lot was de- livered I sold three car loads more to the same Grange. I wish to say that this trade was the most satisfactory one to all parties concerned 1 ever made. We unloaded the three car load lots in a little over one day. 1 had all I could do to weigh the wag- ons and loads and take the money. I was much pleased with the way the Grrangers dealt with me, and they were satisfied for they eflected a sav- ing Of lleflrly Six hundred dollars on the three cars, as the same kind of po- tatoes were selling at fifty Cents more per bushel in the city ten miles dis- tant. C_ w_ F_ We are pleased to hear of such satisfactory transactions as the result of using our free column. If farmers could understand and appreciate the advantage of making their wants ‘known through the medium of adve;-_ tising, large and important savings of time and money could often be effect- ed in purchases and sales, and as in this case all concerned would receive benefit. It is for the purpose of‘ ed- ucation in this direction, and with the hope of doing our readers real ser- vice that we have placed our want column at their disposal. We have known persons to spend a good deal of time searching for some article needed when a single notice in fhis column would have brought the de- sired information. In speaking to a brother the other day as to the prospects of his Grange. and urging him to take a more active part in the work, he replies, “oh there is too much ceremony.” It is all cere- mony, he wanted business, wanted to do something. The same cry went up at the beginning of our civil war; there- was no use of drilling, we en- listed to fight, the War could be ended in ninety days, on to Richmond.— Every reader will remember the re- sult, how we met the enemy, and they wasn’t ours; Bull Run taught us a lesson. In our movement, as farmers, isit necessary for us to have several Bull Runs, before we begin to realize the work before us? A great many of us look back with pride upon our past acheivements, which is all very well, but it does not provide for present wants. One of the best features of our organization is its educational facilities. Compare the men to day who have spent the last five years under the auspices of the Grange, taking part _in all the work assigned them, with their position be- fore the Grange educated them. Now they can appear in public without fear and trepidation; before if called out to perform any public duty, they were “ stage struck” had ideas, but could not express them. There is a demand going up all over the country for farmers to be represented by farmers, and it is em- inently proper and right that this sen- timent should prevail, but the men_ that you elect, should be perfectly conversant with the work given them to do.‘ If in a legislative body, they need to know all that pertains to par- liamentary usages, knowing how to maintain decorum and self-respect, as — well as having due respect for the opinion of others. Now there is no better school in the wide world for de- velopment in this direction than the Grange, and there need not be too much ceremony either. Ceremony may be carried to extremes, but I do think many Grranges are languishing and in a dormant condition, for the very lack of ceremony, and treating questions that are of vast import to us as farmers, in a light and trifling manner, not caring which side of the question we take.—Pat7-ons Ilelper. The Grange Warehouse at St. Mary’s (Ohio,) has been running about 2 yrs. They have a fine building, right he- side the railroad, that cost them near- ly $3,000, ample facilities for storing, handling and shipping grain, etc - Over 50,000 bushels of grain have been handled, besides large quantities of hogs and cattle, lumber, agricul- tural machinery, salt, seed, etc. Ofliclal Circular. NATIONAL GRANGE, P. or H., } LoUIsvII.Ln, Ky., Sept. 12, ’77. Worthy Brother .'—Permit me to suggest that at the coming session of the National Grange, each member prepare and read an original paper. upon any subject, that will be of value to the order at large—none to occupy more than forty minutes. A collec- tion of such matter, published in our proceedings, will prove of great bene- fit to the members of Subordinate Granges. We evidently must do more hereafter than we are doing to advance education in the Subordinate Granges, if we wish to make the order a permanent institution and add to its membership. If you will prepare a paper, please inform me of the subject you will se- lect, that I may make a record of the same, by which to avoid having too many upon the same topic. Permit me to suggest such as taxes, town, county, and state; fences of farms and stock; construction of roads; plowing; farm machinery ; kind- ness to animals; abolishing the use of blinders and checkreins; schools; bonus to railroads; railroad bonds; debts; cash system; ten hour system; social intercourse; cooking; dress; the value of geology, botany, and chemistry to the farm; farm villages; value of shade trees; agricultural schools; how to make farm life at- tractive; how to keep the boys on the farm; value of birds to farms, etc.,etc. An endless list of' subjects can be se- lected. The reading of these papers will add an interesting feature to our session and value to our printed proceedings, which can then be exchanged with other societies with credit to ourselves. I remain, yours fraternally, O. H. KELLEY. ANYTHING FOR A Busr LIFE.—-—A1'ly- thing owned and controlled by 21 Grange will tend to keep it alive, if properly-managed. It may be a store on the co-operative plan, a hall or a field of growing grain. Why. bless us, if there is nothing else, a lively muss will sometimes keep things mov- ing, where else lethargy would creep in with damaging effect. There is a place not very far from the city where two Granges had a regular set to which lasted several months. Both came out of the battle with scars, but stronger and better Granges than ever, while some around them perished. They both oc- cupy neat halls of their own, and even now the smoke of the war is clearing away, and members from one begin to visit the other in a forget-and-foi'give sort of way.——— Com-ier-Journal. The Pomona Grange was organized in Jefferson County. Ind , under very discouraging circumstances, a inajori-. ty of the Suboraliiiate Granges being o_pposed to it; but as the County Coun- cil did not meet the wants of the Or- der, it was concluded to try the Po- monaGrrange, and it is growing in favor rapidly. New applications for mem- bership are constantly flowing in, and its bitterest opponents are becoinincr its warm ‘friends. ° THE GRANGE TOVISITOR. ‘ games’ gepartment. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. I SELECTED. Life is a. race, where some succeed, While others are beginning: ’Tis luck at times, at others speed, That gives an early winning, But if you’ chance to fall behind, Ne’er slacken your endeavor, But keep this wholesome truth in mind— ’Tis better late than never. If you can keep ahead, ’tis well, But never’ trip your neighbor; ’Tis noble when you can acel By honest patient labor; But if you are outstripped at last, Press on as bold as ever ; Remember, though you are surpassed, ’Tis better late than never. I Ne’er labor for an idle boast Of victory o'er another; < But while you strive your uttermost, Deal fairly with your brother. Whate’er your station, do your best, And hold your purpose ever; And if you fail to beat the rest, ’Tis better late than never. Choose well the path in which you run- Succeed by noble daring ; Then, though the last, when once ’tis won, Your crown is worth the wearing; Then never fret when left behind, Nor slacken your endeavor ; But ever keep this truth in mind—- ’Tis better late than never. In a former number of the Grange VISITOR, the Editor sends forth a com- plaint that the ladies are very remiss in filling the columns of the Ladies Department. I had thought so too. But I had been waiting for some one who wields an abler_ pen than myself to interest the readers of the VISITOR. Perhaps others have been doing the same. I will set the ball rolling with my feeble efforts, and perhaps others will fall into line and give it a mz'g/z.t- ierpush. ' I would call the attention of our lady Patrons to the inconsistency of housekeepers in general. How ofter we hear them complain, that they are so tired—that they are obliged to work so hard, and that house work is so monotonous. And yet the fault is often-times with themselves. How many we can call to mind, that have no system about doing work. There is need of much head work and plan- ning in order to work easily and siic- cessfully, (not a sort of rushing pell- mell into a days work.) A careful mapping out of the duties of the day before us, asurvey of what ought to be done, the easiest and best way of doing it, and how to accomplish the most with the least waste of time and strength. There are some that do not rest themselves when they might. If they sit down for a few moments to rest, or engage in sewing of an afternoon, their eyes are constantly peering around to find something else to do, or some imaginary dirt to clean away, Wondering to themselves if some door or window does not need washing, when it was only washed a short time before. Or if a room that is scarcely ever_used, does not need sweeping and dusting, and which would require the use of a magnifying glass to discern the necessity of any such effort. Others willget up at a very early h?‘}1' 011 M.0nday morning full of ain- bition and unusual strength derived from a cessation of work over Sabbath, GRANGE VISITOR. 7 and will do a large washing, churn and bake bread, perhaps cake or pie, and while they have a good fire, iron sev- eral garments to lessen the number to be ironed the next day, until thev have done two or three days work ih one, and when bed-time arrives they are so tired they cannot sleep, and spend a good share of the night in restlessness, and thinking how hard they are obliged to work, what a hard _ lot they have, and it takes them two or three days to get rid of this undue weariness. There is such a thing as making hard work of’ work, and yet we can render our work much easier by stopping to think out the easiest and best way to accomplish what lies be- fore us. There are many other in- consistencies which I might name, but I will not weary the patience of the Editor with my first attempt. I hope some one else will take up this sub- ject and give us their views. MYRA. The Man’s and W’oman’s Way of Saying Things. Look at the ridiculous Way in which a man takes for granted that a woman will be interested in his sayings and doings. If his wife has a long story to tell him, she is filled with misgiv- ings lest it might tire him, she leaves out many little picturesque touches that she may not take up his time, and, even on the hand-gallop, she has not arrived within call of her conclusion when he asks with confusing direct- ness, “well, how did it turn out?” But the man has never a misgiving that he will be hurried, or thatlife has anything better to offer than listening to him.‘ He begins his story at its earliest morning stages and lopes leisurely to its close, or if it is rapid he gives it rapid transit, but he never omits anything‘ on his wife’s account. He tells what he said and what the other man said and what the other man might have said, and what he would have said had the other man said what he might have said. And the worst of it is—the fatal point is—' that his confidence is justified. The man’s talk takes her out of her own into a large life, and she not only tol- erates but enjoys it; and what are you going to do about it ?—Gail Hamilton. w o. We appeal to our sisters of the or- der of Patrons of Husbandry to use their potent infiuence to revive the dormant spirit of the Granges and in- still into them new life and vigor. You can do it if you will, and your. own interests, if nothing else, demand that a strong effort be made. Shall it be said that the only or- ganization to which the gentler sex are admitted languishes and is in dang- er of extinction because it has no in- herent strength ? Must a permanent organization, like the Masons or Odd Fellows, be wholly masculine? _ Sisters 1 your duty in this matter is clear. You must not sit down and bemoan your fate. You must conquer success, even in spite of apparently insurmountable difficulties. Visit the oflicers of your Grange. Urge them to immediate action. Let Grange meetings be’ resumed and be Sure 170 attend them regularly. Go prepared alike to teach and be taught. Pre- pare your subjects for discussion be- fore the evening of the meeting and think about them. When discussion flags, read something intetesting from _ books or newspapers. lntersperse the ‘ whole with music, vocal or instrumen- tal. or both. Visit the sick of the or- der, and if any are poor, relieve their ‘ necessities. All this, and much more, is within your province to perform, and the magical effect of your example will immediately be felt.-—;S0n of the Soil. flammunicatiunz. BRO. J. T. COBB: Dear Sir .-—Enc1osed find quarterly reports for three quarters which we are long behind in sending to you, and without doubt you have long thought we were not going to report any more, and have numbered us with Granges dead. But if you were to step in to our Grange you would probably find about the liveliest corpse in Michigan, and there is how we come to be back with our reports. I have no doubt but you will say: Mr. Secretary you could have taken time to have kept up with reports, but when you strain a string to its farth- est extent it is as far as it can go. I hardly ever sit down in the evening without having some Work to do on my books, which is a dire necessity. We shall do a business of over six thousand dollars this year. We are buying boots and shoes direct from a Boston firm, and my books show sales of boots and shoes alone of over $500 in 28 days. VVe are buying rubber goods, and are buy- ing so as to discount Montgomery VVard & Co’s prices in last Cat. No. 19, 15 per cent on all grades. All that is needed to make a Grange pay is to look for prices, and when you find them not be so fraid of losing five cents on a pair of boots, as to lose a good opportunity of making a good bargain. We have dealt with this firm for nearly a year, and have got just what we sent for, and every article has given excllent satisfac- tion ; and prices such as we have never found before. I send you balance due on former reports, amount due on these and that little balance all together $11,52. Yours, &c., ANDREW L. DAVIS, Sec’y, South Jefferson, Hillsdale Co., Mich. SOUTH CAMDEN, Sept. 27, 1877. J. '1‘. COBB :- Dear Sir and Bro.—On Sept. 26, 1877, Acme Grange, No.267, of South Cam- den, Mich., and North-West Grange No. 413, North-west Ohio, held a Pic-Nic in the grove near by their place of meeting. In the morning appearances indicated a bad day, but as the day advanced the weather brightened, we had a fine day, agood turn out, and the best Pic-Nic ever held in this locality. Bro. L. R. P. O. Box 3029. in the way of quality and price. IB.A.I].\T EIGN, ‘ P. of H. and S. of 1. Purchasing Agents, and IMPORTERS’ TEA AND COFFEE BROKERS, No Charge for Commission, Cartage or Boxing on Teas or Cofiees. Our Brokerage business does not extend beyond the selling of Teas and Coffees to Wholesale Deal. ers in this City; but the facilities we enjoy by our business with Importers, whose will result beneficially to all Patrons, as they will get goods at the same prices at which we sell Whole- sale dealers. Any rational individual can certainly estimate the advantage this arrangement presents Since making these arrangements, we are astonished at the very low prices at which goods can now be purchased. This, howeverhis not slzrange, when it is considered that heretofore we had to deal with parties who were not Importers. It has been our purpose for some time past to endeavor to place ourselves in a position to Excel in Teas and Colfees, and we feel now that we have accom. plished our desires, and we ask that you favor us with a trial order. We are the only Purchasing Agents in the City of New York recognized by the National Granne ' (see their Quarterly Bulletin). We_wi.ll fill orders for any thing in this mark " ’ prices, for any Grange or Council in the United States or Canadas, if our terms and provisions are complied with, as published in the TRUE Eoonomsr. Sample copies mailed free. Address. Brown from Rawsonville, Mich., was the speaker, he done us justice and a good deal of good. It seemed to us that he had only to open his mouth and good words of truth were spoken. This is the third time he has been among us, and he reminds us of the story of the chris- tian, he grows brighter day by day. God bless such men in‘their labors for hu- manity. If you know any locality where the Grange is weak, send Bro. Brown, and a few copies of the VISITOR. Enclosed you find 30 cents for one copy of the Grange VISITOR for myself, and I assure you at our next meeting I will do all I can to secure a few names for our paper. Patrons take the VISITOR, its the med- icine that you want, it will help you and keep you alive. Yours, GEO. N. MEAD. OBITUARY. Sister MARY J. CALL, died Sept. 6th, 1877, an active member of Elsie Grange, N o. 202, al- though liviug 6 miles from the Grange, her seat was seldom vacant. W. F. TILLOTON, Sec. Sister GEO. DENTON, aged 49 years. A true Patron, Lowell, Michigan. By request of Keene Grange 260. E. HANCOME, Sec. Died, Sept. 25th. Brother J OHN D. Hanson, a. Charter member of Flower Creek Grange No. 497. PRICE LIST of SUPPLIES inKept the office of the Secretary of the MICHIGAN S T A T E GRANGE, Ami sent out Post Paid, on Receipt qf Cash Or- der, over the seal of Ll Subordinate Grange, and the signature ofits Master or Secretary. Ballot Boxes, (hard wood,) . . . . . . . ._ . . . . . . $1 2.‘) Porcelain Ballot Marbles, per hundred,. . . 60 Blank Book, ledger ruled, for Secretary to keep accounts with members, . . . . . . . . .. 1 00 Blank Record Books, (Express paid),. . . . . 1 .00 Order Book, containing 100 Orders on the Treasurer, with stub, well bound, . . . . . . {)0 Receipt Book, containing 100 Receipts from Treasurer to Secretary, with stub, well bound, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Blank Receipts for dues, per 100, bound,. . 50 Cushing’s Manual, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Applications for Membership, per 100,... . 50 Membership Cards, per 100, . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Withdrawal Cards, per doz., . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Illustrated Visiting or Traveling Cards, each, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05 Dimits, in envelopes, per doz., . . . . . . . . . . . 25 By-Laws of the State and Subordinate Granges, single copies 5c, per doz.,. . . . . 50 New kind of Singing Books, with musi Single copy 15 cts. per doz., . . . . . . . . 1 50 Rituals, single copy, . . . . . . . . 15 “ p r doz., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 60 e Blanks for Consolidation of Granges, sent free on application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blank Applications for Membership in P0- mona Granges, furnished free on appli- cation. Blank “Articles of Association" for the Incorporation of Subordinate Granges , with Copy of Charter, all eomplete,. . . . . 10 Patron’s Pocket Companion, by J. A. Cra- mer, Cloth, 60 cts., Moracco with tuck, , 1 00 Notice to Delinquent Members, per 100, . . 40 Address, J. T. COBB, SEC’)! MICH. Sr.-Lrn GRANGE, SCHOOLCRAFT. MICH. KEVV YQIIE. goods we sell, ' et. at lowest obtainable BAIN a ENSIGN, P. Box 3029, New yo,-k_ ..:.,z.:: ,:v.;. . ; we-.~.». - 8 ’.l_‘I-IE GRANGE. VISITOR. Magnolia Grange, No. 179, Mango- lia, Putnam county, Ill., has mapped out a series of iourteen essays, one to be read at each of their regular meet- ings, during the balance of this year. |]llWN ! l]llhN_! lllllllll !! © A FlRS:CLASS Sewing Machine FOR THE AISEXE AMOUNT. Owing to expiration of the last of the “combination patents” we are enabled to make a further R E D u C T no N, in the price of our Machines. .5‘ 25 Plain Machine, - Half Case Machine, 30 Half Cabinet “ 35 Folding-' Case “ 40 Fall Cabinet “ 45 The superiority of our Machine is well known among the Patrons of this state. Each Machine is warranted for five years. Machines sent on 20 days trial, by depositing price with Express agent, or with Grange See- retary or Master. Order direct from the Company and Save all Agents Commissions. THE WHITNEY MF’G ($0., 22 Adams St. CHICAGO. ILL. UNIVERSAL SEWING MACHINES A siuuifrnctlie, Combining all the good qualities of all the old patents. Hand Machine and at- tachments. - - - - $15 With Table and attach- ments, - -1 - ~ - ~ $22 UNDERFEED, SINGLE THREAD, EASY RUNNING MACHINE! (Same stitch as the famous Wilcox ét Gibbs $60.00 Machine. Hand Machine and at- tachments, - - - - $1 0 With , Table and attach- ments complete, — - - $18. Secretaries, send for specimens of the work, and circulars for your whole Grange. _ Don't pay $25 to $50 for inferior Machines when you can get a perfect one for one third the money. _ V _ Money refunded if Machine is not Satisfac- tory after trial. _ _ _ - We now place Machines within the reach of every family in the order, For full particulars, address ' 0. R. INGERSOLL, of l’atron’s Paint ('10., Agent, 259, Front St., New York. - hl'k‘ YJI son( rn) < '¢l.?o'.i,"".(m.m°1§