538 ANNUAL, REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



DIVISION OF COOPERATIVE RELATIONS. 



This division has been under the direction of L. S. Tenny, assist- 

 ant chief of bureau, and includes the following activities : 



Research studies relating to cooperative purchasing and marlveting. 

 Cooperation with the States in marlveting work. 



RESEARCH STUDIES RELATING TO COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AND MARKETING. 



The division leader has been assisted in this work by E, H. 

 Elsworth, A. W. McKay, and L. S. Hulbert. This project conducted 

 research and extension work in 19 States during the past year. The 

 studies made may be divided into three classes : Those relating to ( 1 ) 

 economics of cooperation, (2) legal aspects of cooperation, (3) his- 

 tory and statistics of cooperation. 



Among the studies conducted was one which included a compre- 

 hensive survey of the possibilities of the cooperative marketing of 

 Vermont maple-sap products. The material collected in the produc- 

 ing sections and in the central markets where maple products are 

 sold was worked into a manuscript which the agricultural experi- 

 ment station of the University of Vermont is preparing to issue as a 

 bulletin. 



One representative of the bureau stationed at Copenhagen, Den- 

 mark, made a careful study of the cooperative features of European 

 agriculture, particularly in the Scandinavian and north-central Euro- 

 pean countries. A large amount of detailed historical and statistical 

 information was collected and is being compiled for future use. 



In cooperation with the State Agricultural College of Michigan a 

 detailed examination was made of the history and business methods 

 of larger cooperative associations, such as the IVIichigan Potato Grow- 

 ers' Exchange, Michigan Elevator Exchange, Michigan Live Stock 

 Exchange, Michigan Fruit Growers (Inc.), Michigan Milk Pro- 

 ducers' Association, and Michigan State Farm Bureau. The data 

 collected will be used in a bulletin to be issued by the State Agricul- 

 tural College. 



A study of cooperative stores in New York State was begun in co- 

 operation with the New York State College of Agriculture. This 

 study will extend over several years in order that the data collected 

 may' cover periods of different degrees of prosperity, 



Preliminary surveys were macle relative to the cooperative mar- 

 keting of miik in New York, cooperative marketing of peanuts in 

 Virginia, cooperative marketing of potatoes in South Carolina, and 

 agricultural cooperation in New England. 



Exhaustive studies of the legal aspects of cooperation have been 

 conducted throughout the year. The conclusions reached have been 

 worked into a bulletin which is now in press. During the year 20 

 short reviews of court decisions of importance to those interested 

 in cooperative activity were prepared and released through official 

 channels. 



Following the approval by the President of the Capper-Volstead 

 Act, February 18, a statement relative to the act was prepared for 

 the information of those who might be interested in the scope of this 

 legislation. Copies of the statement have been supplied to several 



