86 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



COOPERATION OF MEMBERS. 



Of all things necessary to the success of a cooperative enter- 

 prise, the cooperation of the members is the most essential. A 

 disloyal member is the chief element of failure in cooperative 

 circles. The most capable officers, managers and agents cannot 

 be expected to succeed in handling the afTairs of organizations 

 unless they receive the full strength of the members' patron- 

 age and their complete moral support. 



OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE. 



As soon as a cooperative organization is formed, individuals 

 who have formerly reaped the benefits from the farmers' trade, 

 such as outside buyers and occasionally local dealers where 

 supplies have been purchased, will often do everything possible 

 to disrupt the organization. Higher prices than it is possible 

 for the association to obtain for commodities will be offered 

 the producer in the hope that he will accept them, thus drawing 

 his support from the association. It is necessary for the mem- 

 bers of the organization to unite with the determination to put 

 forth every effort to make it a success and loyally support it 

 against all outside influence. 



Cooperation as an economic principle is receiving the serious 

 consideration of practically all industrial classes. Its application 

 to special features of agricultural distribution and marketing 

 is entirely feasible and offers a solution of problems and diffi- 

 culties that are practically hopeless in so far as the individual 

 is concerned. 



Cooperative marketing is a business enterprise and its success 

 depends upon the loyal support at all times of the members and 

 the efficiency of the management. The reputation of an asso- 

 ciation for furnishing goods of a dependable quality will estab- 

 lish a trade confidence which is its greatest asset. 



Where the producers of a community possess that neighborly 

 feeling which makes each willing to "give and take" a little, for 

 the good of all, there is the spot where the true spirit of coop- 

 eration has already found a home and where its people may 

 hope to develop a successful community cooperative business 

 association. 



