WHAT THE SYSTEM HAS DONE 121 



not yet available, but it is estimated that of 

 People's Banks there are 657, with 381,000 mem- 

 bers and a capital of £4,200,000 ; and of Village 

 Banks 1,050, with 95,000 members and £25,000 

 capital. In 1900 there were 192 co-operative 

 agricultural associations, with 45,000 members, 

 and the collective purchases amounted to 

 £800,000. Of co-operative dairies (which are 

 spreading rapidly throughout North Italy) there 

 are said to be 750, with 37,000 members and 

 £40,000 capital. The co-operative dairies are 

 being followed by co-operative wine factories 

 and distilleries, and other forms of the general 

 movement are represented by various associations 

 for the improvement of stock, for co-operative 

 insurance, etc. 



As to the accomplished results in Italy, there 

 may not have been equal success all along the 

 line, and the difficulties have been found especi- 

 ally great in organizing effective systems for 

 the co-operative sale of produce, so that though 

 cauliflowers, eggs, and other such things are 

 exported in prodigious quantities, each trade 

 remains mostly in the hands of middlemen 

 dealers. One must remember, too, that much 

 of what has been related is of comparatively 

 recent growth, and that the full development 

 thereof has still to be attained. Yet the mem- 



