1918] RURAL ECONOMICS. 895 



Cooperative organization by-laws, C. E. Bassett and O. P. Jesness (U. S. 

 Dept. Agr. Bui. 5^1 {191S), pp. 23). — The authors give sug^'estions in regard to 

 methods of organization, especially to those desiring to meet the requirements 

 of the amendment to the Sherman antitrust law commonly known as the Clay- 

 ton amendment. They discuss methods of dealing with nonmembers, differences 

 between nonstock and stock forms of organization, financing and perpetuating 

 nonstock organizations, and the relation of this amendment to existing organ- 

 izations, and have also suggested forms of by-laws for a cooperative nonprofit 

 marketing association formed without capital stock. 



Cooperative stores in Minnesota, 1914, E. D. Durand and F. Robotka 

 (Minnesota Sta. Bui. Ill {1917), pp. 31, figs. 4). — Among the conclusions 

 brought out in this publication are that the number of cooperative stores in 

 Minnesota is about 125, changing very littte. About two-thirds of the com- 

 panies reporting paid dividends. For all stores adequately reported, the 

 average gross sales were $45,836 for 1914, the ratio of expense to gross sales 

 11.7 per cent, and the ratio of net gain to gross sales, 4.5 per cent. If the 

 success of cooperative stores be measured by the ratio of net profit to gross 

 sales, the factor showing the greatest influence is the ratio of total operating 

 expense to gross sales. The rapidity of turn-over of stock greatly influences 

 success. The size of business has considerable influence upon success, although 

 some success-ful stores are found in groups of all sizes. In a business of a given 

 size the most efficient management is secured by the managers with the 

 higher salaries. 



Modem market methods, A. L, Clark (A^. J. Dept. Agr. Bui. 7 {1017), pp. 

 215-246, pis. 12). — This bulletin calls attention to the different methods of 

 marketing agricultural products in New Jersey, and points out the factors 

 necessary in any system to be successful. Among these factors are the stand- 

 ardization of grades, packs, and packages, cooperative selling organizations. 

 State regulation of the commission business, municipal promotion of retail mar- 

 keting, and thrift and more accurate information on the part of housewives. 



The mill market for com and wheat, W. R. Camp {North Carolina Sta., 

 Farmers' Market Bui., 5 {191S), No. 20, pp. 10). — This bulletin contains the 

 usual data with reference to products which the farmers have for sale, together 

 with information regarding the number of mills in the State grinding corn 

 and wheat. 



Reg'ulations of the Secretary of Agriculture under the United States 

 Warehouse Act of August 11, 1916. — Regulations for cotton warehouses 

 {V. S. Dept. Agr., Office Sec. Circ. 94 {1918). pp. .',.?).— Regulations promul- 

 gated January 4, 1918, are presented. The text of the legi.slatiou (E. S. R., 35. 

 p. 308). is appended. 



Parcel-post business methods, C. C. Hawraker and J. W. Law {V. 8. Dept. 

 Agr., Farmers' Bui. 922, pp. 20, figs. 4). — This gives detailed suggestions re- 

 garding means of obtaining customers and methods of carrying on business, 

 with samples of suitable bills, letterheads, order blanks, and other business 

 forms. It points out that parcel-post shipments are increasing in nunibor, 

 though probably they always will mf^eoX only a small percentage of the farm 

 produce going to market. It is concluded that dealings h*f parcel post should 

 be successful if the farmers are careful to keep up the quality of their produce, 

 pack it safely and attractively, and meet engagements promptly, and the con- 

 sumer likewise observes business methods in the transaction. 



Geography of the world's agriculture, V. C. Finch and O. E. Baker ( V. S. 

 Dept. Agr., Office Sec, 1917, pp. 149. pls. 2, figs. 20ff).— The purpose of this 

 study is to show the geographic origin of the world's supply of food and of 

 other important agricultural products, and to indicate briefly the climatic, soU, 



