906 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Deo. 2, 1920. 



Miranda. 



The secretary of this branch furnishes particulars of the Miranda Agri- 

 cultural Bureau, Limited, as in the following paragraphs: — 



The Co-operativk Movement at Miranda. 



The Miranda Agricultural Bureau. I^iniited, was established three years ago 

 for the purpo.se of acquiring a meeting place for the branch and to obtain sup- 

 plies for poultry-farmers and others. It is only a trading company, being dis- 

 tinct from the branch of the bureau, though run in conjunction with it. 



It was started in a humble way, without any very gx-eat pretensions, the 

 officers and directors carrying out the work free of expense, and thus conserving 

 everything for the benefit of the company. A building that had been used as 

 a church was purchased, and opened by Mr. W. C. Grahame, then Minister 

 for Agriculture. Shares at £1 each were issued, either fully paid up or being 

 paid up at 2s. 6d. per month. We then started buying a truck of wheat from 

 the Wheat Pool, and engaged a carter by contract to deliver it to the members. 

 This turned out a great success. We started on a basis of 5 per cent, addition 

 to cover expenses and to help build up the company. Some members who only 

 took up one share and bought seven bags of wheat stated at the next meeting 

 that they had saved their f 1 already. 



We soon had to extend our operations, as bran and pollard, kerosene, and 

 other articles were wanted. This system worked well for a start, but it was 

 soon found that a stock in hand was re<pured, so a store that was available 

 was rented and a storeman engaged, as the business was getting too large for 

 voluntary labour. From this i)oint the growth of the company was rapid, 

 and at the end of the first year we were able to pay a dividend on shares of 

 7i per cent., and a bonus of Is. in the f on purchases. This put us on a good 

 footing. 



Our great success has been in being able to supply bran and pollard in times 

 of scarcity; in trying to cater for the poultry-farmer we looked ahead for 

 supplies, and this saved the industry. We now supply all the needs of poultry- 

 farmers and orchardists, including manure, lime, sprays, flour, sugar, coal 

 and coke; and anything else refpiired is obtained for them. 



One great result has been the reduction of prices for miles arouifd ; in fact, 

 we have abolished the profiteer. Our turnover is now nearly £3.000 per mouth. 

 Our capital now amounts to £1,300, of which amount over £500 is accrued 

 bonuses, so that members have only actually paid in £800, though holding 

 fl,.300 worth of scrip carrying 7§ per cent. 



Lately we built a store of our own adjoining the railway siding, at a cost 

 of £3.50, which was all paid for out of last half-year's profits. We now own 

 real estate to the value of over £800, all paid for. Instead of voluntary labour, 

 we now pay a managing director and a storeman. 



This shows what can be done by co-operation on right lines and by good 

 management. It was not accomplished without op])()sition. but we went on 

 steadily, gave everyone a fair deal, pursuing a straight policy, and to-day we 

 ■can hold our own without anyone troubling us. 



Penrose-Kareela. 



At a meeting on 5th October a paper was read by Mr. R. G. Scott, and 

 its text will be found in the following paragraphs : — 



The Functions and Requirements of an Apple Trek. 



Let us imagine it iiossible for an apple-tree to be endowed with the i>ower of 

 fipeec'h, and that it wishes to place before us orchardists a few facts connected 

 with its daily life. It would say something like this : — 



I may not have a mind, and T certainly have no brains, heart, or lungs, but 

 for all that I claini to be considered as a jiroducer of lu'Mutiful blossoms and 

 useful fruit. There are four functions 1 perform in common with human 

 beings — I drink, I eat, I breathe, and I sleep. 



/ can drink. — My drinking powers are enormous. When I grow into a large 

 tree I require daily an astonishing volume of water from the soil, which I 



