io8 AN AGRICULTURAL FAGGOT. 



constitute the main feature of their work. Co-operation 

 in purchase has in recent years been extended to feeding 

 stuffs, seeds, insecticides, machines, implements, and other 

 requisites. The procedure is practically the same in all 

 cases. Invoices are checked and passed by the council 

 of the syndicate, and bills, payable at one, two, or three 

 months, are drawn by the manufacturers and tradesmen 

 on the individual members for the goods supplied. Few 

 of the associations undertake responsibility in respect of 

 payment of goods ordered on behalf of members. But 

 although the syndicates offer no material security to the 

 traders, their reputation for soundness in business affairs 

 is in itself a moral guarantee. It very rarely happens 

 that a member fails to meet an engagement contracted 

 through his syndicate, for default invariably entails 

 expulsion. 



It will be observed that the principles on which these 

 syndicates are conducted differ from those generally 

 adopted by similar local associations in this country. 

 We may take for instance a north-country association of 

 twenty years' standing which has from forty to fifty 

 members, who pay an entrance fee of 2d. per acre, and 

 2s. per ton registration fee on all manures ordered. Only 

 manures are dealt in, but the inclusion of seeds, 

 foods, and implements is contemplated. The secre- 

 tary sends .in January to each member a list of 

 manures, which is returned marked with the number of 

 tons of each kind required, and the month in which it is 

 wanted. All the requisitions having been scheduled, the 

 secretary advertises for tenders from manufacturers, stat- 

 ing the maximum and minimum quantity of each manure 

 required, and the station at which it is to be delivered. 

 Contracts are settled by the committee (of nine members), 

 elected annually. The secretary then informs each 

 purchasing member of the price of the manure, and the 

 amount due from him must be sent before goods are 

 delivered. After a certain quantity has been delivered, 



