l8 GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND - COrOPERATION AND ASSOCIATION 



at once put in force. The society's expert in fruit and market garden pro- 

 duce was placed at the disposal of the military authorities, as adviser. 

 The result was a rapid improvement in the qualit}'' of the supply, an econo- 

 my to the military authorities, better prices for the producers who profited 

 by the elimination of the middleman, and cheaper fruit and vegetables 

 for the civihan population since general prices fell with army prices. The 

 matter was brought to the attention of the War Office and the Army Coun- 

 cil has in consequence approved the gradual extension of the scheme to 

 other camps. A new committee, called the Army Canteen Committee, 

 has been formed to take over the powers and duties in respect of canteens 

 hitherto entrusted to the Board of Control of Regimental Institutes ; and 

 also a Command Canteen Committee for each command. The Agricultu- 

 ral Organization Society is represented bj^ its nominee on the Army Can- 

 teen Committee and on each of the Command Canteen Committees. 



The necessary' central purchasing body has been found in a new so- 

 ciety affiliated to the Agricultural Organization Society, the Agricultural 

 Produce Supplies, limited. The Agricultural Organization Society's late 

 expert in fruit and market-garden produce is its secretary and manager. 

 It distributes no profits, but charges a commission to cover management 

 expenses and returns any surplus funds to the War Office. 



e) Relations with the County War Agricultural Committees and with 

 other Bodies. 



In November 1915 the Board of Agriculture notified the County Wax 

 Agicultural Committees that the societ}' had placed its services and those 

 of its branches and organizers at their disposal ; and the society itself sent 

 them a circular letter confirming this information and drawing their atten- 

 tion to certain branches of agricultural work to which co-operation was 

 particularly applicable. 



The subse(juent action varied in different counties : in some direct 

 representation on the war agricultural committees has been given to the 

 farmers' co-operative societies ; in some the Womens' Institutes have been 

 recognized as District War Agricultural Committees ; in Glamorganshire 

 the farmers' co-operative societies have been appointed to act as the Dis- 

 trict War Agricultural Committees ; in Cornwall the countj^ committee or- 

 ganized the supply of sulphate of ammonia through the Farmer's Central 

 Trading Board which is affiliated to the Agricultural Organization Society. 



The society has also worked in close touch with the Scottish and 

 Irish Agricultural Organization Societies, the Housing Organization 

 Society, the Fisheries Organization Society and the Co-operative Union, 

 and with County Councils. Agricultural Colleges and many other public 

 associations. Its relations with the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries 

 have been both harmonious and important. 



/) Publications. 



The society's monthly journal, Co-operation in Agriculture, has been 

 suspended in the interests of economy. By arrangement with the pro- 



