Proceedings of Seventeenth Normal Institute -17 



ager. We have been through a bitter experience in this regard 

 in one of the branch associations. We believe that this can be 

 avoided by closeir supervision of the community during the or- 

 ganization period. The New York State College of Agriculture 

 will do its best to assist in the organization of these associations 

 and to train men for the managership of these associations. In 

 communities where it is thought desirable to develop something 

 of this sort, the matter should be taken up in detail with the col- 

 lege and close cooperation can be expected. 



BENEFITS OF COOPERATIVE ORGANIZATION 



In comparing and combining the effects of the Poultry Pro- 

 ducers' Association and the effects of other similar organizations, 

 we have found that, while organization and cooperation of the 

 farmers may, in some cases, have only a slight direct advantage, 

 in every case which has come " under our observation, many, 

 and usually nearly all of the following distinct benefits have been 

 noted : 



1. Organization tends to make the farmers feel that they are 

 not alone. There is an opportunity and an incentive to exchange 

 ideas. The discussions dealing with the organization work 

 usually start discussions along other lines, which may be even 

 more highly beneficial than the original discussion. The organ- 

 ization is usuallv a means of disseminating information, such as 

 is contained in bulletins and circulars, and which might be ob- 

 tained from lectures or demonstrations. 



2. When individuals are thrown together in organizations they 

 seem to develop a certain pride in the products which they are 

 producing, and make special efforts to produce a better quality, or 

 a quality which will be at least as good as the average for the 

 whole membership. 



3. P>etter prices are usually obtained for the products, at least 

 after the organization has been doing business for a reasonable 

 length of time. Better prices are caused by both the improved 

 quality and the standardization of the products. Care should 

 be taken, however, that the members do not depend upon better 

 prices entirely for their loyalty. 



4. The prices received by the members should be based upon 



