192 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. tVol. 36 



curate method of keeping separate the seed ginned from each wagon load of 

 seed cotton. They also discuss the methods of keeping accounts and the ar- 

 rangement and use of ginning machines to bring about a better marketing con- 

 dition for the cotton. Attention is called to the careless preparation of the 

 American bale of cotton and the seeming indifference on the part of the farmer, 

 the buyer, and others handling the American bale which causes the farmer a 

 considerable loss. " By concerted action the farmers should be able to secure 

 better methods of ginning, maintain pure planting seed, and secure uniform and 

 better handling of their cotton. This wouhl enable them to market their crops 

 to a better advantage." 



Community org-anization for promoting the production of swine, C. G. 

 Staeb (Indiana Sta. Circ. 54 (lOlG), pp. 12, figs. 2). — In addition to a brief 

 discussion on the improving of swine production by better feeding, breeding, 

 and management, the author discusses the control of hog cholera by community 

 effort and points out how hog cholera is spread and how the community can 

 be organized to control this disease. There is included a proposed plan of com- 

 munity organization and a model constitution and by-laws. 



[Studies in agricultural economics] A. E. Canoe (Massachusetts Sta. Rpt. 

 1915, pt. 1, pp. 69a, 70a). — There are two main types of agricultural insurance 

 practiced in the New England States — live stock insurance, which is confined 

 mainly to insurance on race-horse stock and exhibit stock when shipped to 

 shows, and hail insurance of tobacco against damage by hail. Brief notes are 

 given regarding these. 



A study of the methods and cost of growing and distributing onions in the 

 Connecticut Valley indicates that the cost of production and marketing is from 

 36.6 to 40.6 cents per bushel. 



A survey of typical cooperative stores in the United States, J. A. Bexell, 

 H. Macpheeson, and W. H. Keeb (U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 394 (1916), pp. 32, 

 pis. 2). — Data collected from GO stores in 10 states by the Office of Markets and 

 Rural Organization in cooperation with the Oregon Agricultural College are 

 reported and discussed. 



" The figures collected in this survey bring out the conclusion that the ma- 

 jority of tlie cooperative stores established are unsuccessful in achieving their 

 main object — saving on purchases to members and a reduction of the high cost 

 of living. This conclusion is borne out by the supplementary notes collected 

 from managers who could not apply statistics, and by notes on interviews with 

 leaders who are acquainted with the store movement in whole sections which 

 could not be covered in detail. But that there is one real service which the 

 cooperative stores have performed seems to have been demonstrated again and 

 again. Even in cases where stores have failed absolutely and gone into bank- 

 ruptcy they have frequently been responsible for the introduction of improved 

 business methods in the towns where they were established. They have had the 

 effect of stimulating competition. In cases where the merchants have com- 

 peted keenly against the cooperative store they have been compelled to adopt 

 more efficient business methods. This has resulted in lower prices to every 

 consumer in the locality and frequently in better prices to farmers on produce." 



The authors believe that the conditions necessai'y for success are good lead- 

 ership, capable management, favorable environment, and adequate legal safe- 

 guards, and that a lack of these generally is the cause of failure. Throughout 

 the bulletin are included a number of statistical tables setting forth the various 

 facts concerning the stores from which this survey was made. 



Rural clubs in Wisconsin, C. J. Galpin and D. AV. Sawtelle (Wisconsin 

 »S7a. Bui. 271 (1916), pp. 5S, figs. 22).— The authors believe that living on good 

 terms witli folks is a part of modern farming, as truly as knowing how to farm. 



