SOCIETIES AND BANKS 273 



Ireland in 1902 was 322, with a membership of 

 41,299. Of Agricultural Societies there were 

 124 in 1902, and of Poultry Societies 31. The 

 latter represent an especially promising phase of 

 the movement. At one time the eggs were 

 collected from the farmers by "higglers," who 

 bought them at a certain price irrespective of 

 size or colour. They might be kept some time 

 until the higgler called, and he, in turn, might 

 keep them until he had made up a good consign- 

 ment, so that by the time the eggs reached the 

 English consumer many of them would be bad. 

 In this way Irish eggs got an unfavourable repu- 

 tation. To-day instruction is given to the 

 farmers as to breeds, etc., the eggs are paid 

 for according to weight and colour — the farmer 

 thus having every inducement to provide for the 

 collector as many large brown eggs as possible — 

 and the eggs, when bought, are graded and sent 

 off promptly to market. Instruction is also 

 given in the art of packing according to Danish 

 methods. There arc, in addition, Flax Societies, 

 Horticultural and Fruit Growers' Societies, and 

 an Irish Kee-Keepers' Federation. 



The importance of the role that is being played 

 by the agricultural credit banks in Ireland in 

 facilitating all this economic development could 

 hardly be exaggerated. To the Irish peasant it 



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