Thus was begun a movement for organization that had resulted by 1873 in the formation of over 20,000 Granges in 28 states, comprising not less than 750,000 members; and in that year the National Grange, as a representative body, was officially organized. For four or five years this unexampled prosperity continued; then the reports show a feeling of weakness creeping in. In fact, the order as a whole steadily declined in numbers and prestige during the whole of the decade following 1880. The losses were most serious, however, in the South and West; for in New England and the Middle States it retained its vitality, and, indeed, grew steadily. During the last fifteen years there has been a widespread revival of interest in the organization and the outlook is exceedingly promising. During the decade following 1890 the membership increased not less than 75 per cent. During the last few years the rate of gain has been even greater. The following table gives the official records in the five leading Grange states: ========================================================= | 1900 | 1905 | ------------------------------------------ | Granges | Members | Granges | Members -------------|------------------------------------------- New York | 550 | 43,000 | 582 | 66,500 Maine | 275 | 29,000 | 387 | 49,000 Michigan | 420 | 25,000 | 731 | 45,000 Pennsylvania | 526 | 20,000 | 560 | 34,000 New Hampshire| 260 | 24,000 | 263 | 28,000 --------------------------------------------------------- These states lead, but the order is also active and strong in Vermont, Connecticut, Ohio, Massachusetts. Thirty states pay dues to the National Grange treasury, and twenty-six were represented by delegates at the last National Grange. Since 1905 there has been substantial growth in most of these twenty-six states, both in numbers of Granges and in membership.