THE MARKETING OF PRODUCE 315 



pair should be allowed to live rent free. A 

 pony and cart would complete the really 

 necessary staff. 



"There is nothing visionary about a pro- 

 position of this kind, and I hope it may lead 

 to some further discussion. What is involved 

 is a system of co-operation amongst the pro- 

 ducers. There, I may say, I should be much 

 surprised if ladies did not show that they 

 could co-operate for the purposes of sale 

 much better than men. The proposition 

 also, of course, involves the expense in- 

 dicated ; but, in return, it places the pro- 

 ducers on a business basis, and it rests with 

 themselves to make it the success which is 

 being constantly achieved by the individual 

 small retail shopkeeper all over the country. 

 This man has to buy everything. If he 

 succeeds, why should not an association of 

 determined women succeed who would them- 

 selves grow a large part of the things they 

 sell? 



" Is it possible for a number of ladies to 



