388 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



paid by the consumer for such products. Some economic changes in the 

 methods of marketing and disposal of farm products are advocated, it being 

 contended that the establishment of public market places in every community 

 so that the grower could display his goods and meet the consumer face to face 

 would insure the grower a better price, bring about closer gi-ading and choicer 

 quality, educate the consumer to the superior value of fresh grown farm products 

 and their right selection, inspire a determination to improve in quality and 

 increase in quantity the crops sold, and lead to a specialization in production 

 best adapted to the farm and local demand. 



Selling without waste, R. Shackleton {Country Gent., 76 (1911), No. 3068, 

 pp. 2, 3, figs. 3). — The advantages and practical merits of cooperative selling 

 are illustrated in this article by showing some practical results accomplished 

 by several fruit growers' associations in Michigan. Some of the advantages 

 noted are greatly reduced transportation charges, better transportation facili- 

 ties in the way of fruit trains, schedules, etc., higher prices for fruits with less 

 cost of marketing, and a more uniform demand for special brands of fruits. 



Organizing the farm for profit, W. J. Spillman {N. Y. Tribune Farmer, 11 

 (1911), No. 525, pp. 1, 11, figs. 3). — The author discusses and illustrates the 

 principles involved in so planning and organizing a farm as to make it yield 

 the largest profit, among the essentials noted are greater diversifications, better 

 distribution of labor, larger machinery, and better marketing methods. 



Agricultural cooperation, J. S. Corbett (Co-operation [Londoni, 5 (1911), 

 No. 12, pp. 161-16h)- — A paper read at the Small Holdings Congress recently 

 held at the Crystal Palace, London, in which the following are among the 

 phases of agricultural cooperation discussed and illustrated : Possibilities of co- 

 operation, large tenants v. small holders, how to produce a skilled small holder, 

 the middleman's profits, and the increase the consumer is being asked to pay. 



How societies are benefiting their members (Ann. Rpt. Agr. Organ. Soc. 

 [London], 1910, pp. Jj8-51). — In reply to a special inquiry by the Agricultural 

 Organization Society, Limited, of the numerous affiliated societies asking for 

 some instances of the benefits which have resulted to the members, the follow- 

 ing are noted from the replies recorded : " We have done much to reduce the 

 prices of implements and fertilizers. . . . We are helping to regulate the 

 trade and prevent exorbitant prices being taken by local dealers. . . . We 

 have very materially benefited our members by bulking orders and consign- 

 ments, and thus obtaining the advantages of reduced cost of produce and lower 

 quotations. . . . Better quality goods at less money." 



[Mutual agricultural insurance, credit, and cooperative societies in 

 France] (Bui. Mens. Off. Rcnseig. Agr. [Paris], 10 (1911), No. 1, pp. 1-38).— 

 This is the report of the minister of agriculture, giving annual statistics and 

 showing the development of mutual agricultural insurance societies in France 

 for a period of years. 



The total number of societies reported for 1897 was 1,484 and for 1910, 

 10,731. The live stock organizations numbered 1,469 in 1897 and had a mem- 

 bership of 87,072 with insurance valued at 59,168,334 francs ; in 1910 they num- 

 bered 8,428 with a membership of 438,216 and an insurance valuation of 

 532,807,990 francs. The number of fire insurance societies increased from 

 1,208 on December 31, 1907, to 2,187 on September 30. 1910; the membership in- 

 creased from 29,218 to 53,110 and the value of property insured from 254,755,365 

 to 508,374,563 francs within the same period. The number of mutual societies 

 insuring crops against hail increased from 12 to 25 from 1898 to 1910. The 

 membership increased from 16,812 to 44.677, but the capital representing the 

 amount insured decreased from 28,499,456 to 28,159,854 francs. There were 

 also 7 societies in 1910 against agricultural accidents, and 84 reinsurance socie- 



