106 AN AGRICULTURAL FAGGOT. 



occupiers are those who would most benefit, they are the 

 last to rind it available, on account of the necessity for the 

 adoption of a cash basis. There are a good many associa- 

 tions of this character in Great Britain, and, without 

 exception, I believe, all are doing useful and successful 

 work. 



This side of agricultural co-operation has been greatly 

 developed in France by the organisation of the 

 Syndicats Agricoles, of which there were in 1897 no 

 less than 1,371, with a total membership of about 600,000. 

 A brief description of these associations may be of interest. 

 The administrative staff of an agricultural syndicate 

 consists nearly always of a president, vice-president, 

 secretary, and a treasurer. Some of the larger bodies — 

 for they range in size from a membership of twenty to 

 one of 10,000 — have two or even three vice-presidents, 

 and sometimes a secretary-general with two or three 

 assistants. These officers form the executive bureau or 

 council. In cases where the membership exceeds 100 

 there is usually also a syndical chamber or directorate, 

 with duties of a consultative character, but nevertheless 

 exercising more or less control over the council of manage- 

 ment. A salaried manager is employed in a few instances, 

 but it more frequently happens that the whole of the 

 work is performed by the president and other officials, 

 who receive no remuneration for their services. The 

 members of the council are elected for a term of years, 

 either by votes at the general meeting, or, where there is 

 a directorate, by the directors from amongst themselves. 

 The directors are always elected at the general meetings 

 for a period varying from two to nine years. When the 

 operations of a syndicate extend over a considerable area 

 it is usual to select a director for certain districts or 

 divisions. Thus, in the large departmental syndicates a 

 director is elected for each arrondissement. Smaller bodies, 

 having members resident in several communes or villages, 

 generally arrange that the syndical chamber shall be 



