plications should be sent to or made with the Annalist in person at National Grange Session. Fraternally, GEO. AUSTIN BOWEN, Woodstock, Conn., High Priest. GEO. B. HORTON, Annalist. P. S.-Supplementary to the above announcement, the following instructions for passing the Fifth and Sixth Degrees, preparatory to the Seventh, are given : Fourth Degree members bringing a certificate, signed by the Master of their respective Subordinate Granges, showing that they are in good standing in the Fourth Degree, will pass the Fifth by assenting and subscribing to the obligation thereof. Fifth Degree members can, upon presentation of a certificate showing that they are entitled to the lessons of the Sixth Degree, make application for the same to the Secretary of the National Grange (or other persons acting for him) at Washington. GEO. B. HORTON. Brother Geo. B. Horton, of Michigan, moved that the Executive Committee be instructed to supply the Associated Press and the city papers of Harrisburg with the proceedings of the Grange for publication. At 12:30 p. m. the Grange took a recess until 2:00 o'clock p. m. The National Grange reassembled at 2:00 o'clock p. m. with the officers and members present as at the morning session. The Worthy Secretary read the following invitation, which, on motion, was accepted by the Grange: HARRISBURG, PA., November 10, 1897. HON. J. H. BRIGHAM, MASTER NATIONAL GRANGE, P. OF H. Dear Sir and Brother: I take pleasure in inviting yourself, the officers and members of the National Grange to a complimentary excursion on the Cumberland Valley R. R. to Williams' Grove and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, on Monday, Nov. 15. Leave Harrisburg about 1 o'clock P. M., returning in time for supper. The details of the excursion to be announced later. R. H. THOMAS, General Manager. On behalf of the Grangers' Interstate Picnic Exhibition Association. Brother S. O. Bowen, Chairman, submitted the following partial report for the Committee on Credentials, which, on motion of Brother S. H. Ellis, of Ohio, was adopted, and the Committee continued to make further report. Worthy Master: Your Committee on Credentials begs leave to present this partial report : We find the following States entitled to representation by the members whose names are annexed, viz.: California..... Colorado....... Connecticut.. Delaware.... Illinois Indiana...... Iowa...... Kansas.. Maine... Michigan....... Minnesota..... New Jersey.. W. W. Greer. Mrs. A. L. Bowen. Mrs. L. M. Messick. Oliver Wilson. Mrs. Martha N. Wilson. Aaron Jones. Mrs. Maggie W. Jones. Mrs. Ida Judson. ..Henry Rhoades. Mrs. Ruth Rhoades. .Edward Wiggin. Mrs. E. L. A. Wiggin. .G. B. Horton. Mrs. A. N. Horton. Mrs S. G. Baird. Geo. W. Baird. New Hampshire..... .N. J. Bachelder. New York... Ohio......... Oregon... Pennsylvania.... .....John T. Cox. Mrs. Rachael Cox. Mrs. Maggie Hale. Mrs. R. J. Ellis. Vermont...... Wisconsin...................... .C. J. Bell. Mrs. M. L. Bell. H. E. Huxley. Mrs. Mary S. Huxley.. In reference to the States omitted in our report will say that a portion of them are not as yet represented by delegates, and the balance do not appear correct upon the books of the Treasurer. S. O. BOWEN, MRS. M. S. HUXLEY, Brother W. M. Hilleary, of Oregan, offered the following, which was adopted: Resolved, That the order of business in force last session be used at this session until otherwise ordered. Brother J. H. Brigham, Worthy Master of the National Grange, presented his annual address, as follows: Address of the Worthy Master. Officers and Members of the National Grange: I congratulate you upon the auspicious opening of the 31st annual session of the National Grange. We are welcomed to the capital of one of the foremost agricultural States in the Union; one of the first in mining and manufacturing industries, and also a stronghold of our Order. Our surroundings should inspire us to labor with untiring zeal to devise ways and means to extend and strengthen the organization which has accomplished more for the welfare and protection of American agriculturists than any or all other associations of farmers ever existing. CONDITION OF THE ORDER. The condition of the Order is very encouraging. We have organized 141 new Granges, revived 74 dormant ones and added largely to the membership of active Granges during the year. This should admonish us to continue the safe and conservative policy that has made it possible for thousands of men and women who differ radically upon political and religious questions to meet in unity and harmony in a great fraternal brotherhood, and to co-operate in advancing the interests of all. While we are thus congratulating ourselves. upon the growth of the Order, we must not forget that there are States and sections of States in which our Order is not strong, and we should devise plans to extend and strengthen it in these localities. ORGANIZERS. Organizing Deputies should be sent into the field to canvass from house to house, and arouse the interests of the farmers to the important advantages to be derived from organization. Experience has demonstrated that we can, in no other way, hope to extend our Order or regain what we have lost. The National and State Granges should co-operate in this work, and keep in the field men who have proved themselves successful workers. INSPECTION OF STATE GRANGES. I am of the opinion that officers of the National Grange, under the direction of the Master, should visit once a year the State Granges in territory to be assigned to them, inspect the books and methods of work and offer counsel and encouragement to the State officials. Much depends upon them. No one should accept a position requiring work and time unless willing to give both for the interest of the cause. The members of Subordinate Granges should frequently see the faces of, and hear words of cheer from, their chosen leaders; otherwise they will become discouraged and careless, cease to attend the meetings of the Grange, and dormancy will follow. REPORTS. State and Subordinate Granges should be required to comply strictly with the law in the matter of making quarterly reports. This would do much towards maintaining interest and keeping the National and State Granges in close touch and sympathy with the Subordinate Granges. ROSTER OF SUBORDINATE GRANGES. State Secretaries should furnish the Master and Secretary of the National Grange, as early as possible, a complete roster of each Subordinate Grange. This would enable such officials to aid weak Granges in various ways, and would also keep them advised of the exact condition of the Order in all sections of the country. THE GRANGE AS AN EDUCATOR. The Grange is an educational force in every community. The meetings of Subordinate Granges furnish opportunities which develop the latent powers of the husbandman, and bring out some of the best thought of the times. LECTURE WORK. The literature sent out by the National Lecturer showŁ evidence of thought and careful preparation, and is doing much to commend the principles of the Order to intelligent people. State and Subordinate Lecturers are also contributing to the educational advancement of the farmers of the United States. The Master,, Lecturer and Overseer have delivered public addresses in several States during the year, and their efforts have been ably seconded by officers of State Granges. I think the demand for lecture work has been quite fully met, and the work advanced thereby. THE PRESS. The friendly press has always been a great factor in advancing reforms, and I earnestly hope the farmers will show their appreciation by sustaining all papers which deal fairly with the agricultural interests. Some of these are distinctively Grange and agricultural papers, and should receive from our membership the encouragement which they merit. OTHER AGENCIES. Many agencies are at work in the interests of agriculture. An Agricultural Experiment Station is located in every State. Farmers' Institutes are held in nearly every State. Farmers' clubs and kindred organizations are numerous, and good work is being done by many agricultural and mechanical colleges, all of which is calculated to upbuild and develop the agricultural interests and classes. The Grange will work in harmony and enthusiastically with any and every organization which is trying by legitimate methods to aid the cause of agriculture. AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS. We have reason to rejoice over the marked improvement in the prices of most products of the farm. The recent period of low prices had a very depressing effect upon the agricul tural interests, eliminating profit and reducing the value of the capital invested in lands, farm stock and tools. The prices now received are not burdensome to the consumer, but are remunerative to the farmer, and if maintained will cause a marked advance in the value of farm lands. If to this most gratifying improvement in the condition of the agricultural industry of the country at large the cotton States form a somewhat conspicuous exception, it is only, I believe, the result of a threatened strike in the cotton manufacturing district of England-a district which consumes about one-third of our entire cotton crop, with no inconsid |