COMMENTS ON CO-OPERATION 205 



in his fellow-man and may even breed distrust and 

 bitterness. 



Or let us suppose that either on this account of 

 experience earned, or on general principles, the farmer 

 prefers to send his animal to market to be disposed of 

 by auction. If he is a small man this means that he 

 must cart or drive it thither himself, probably a distance 

 of some miles. If he is a large farmer perhaps he 

 sends some one in charge of it, that is if he has any 

 one about him in whose judgment, sobriety, and 

 honesty he can confide. 



In the one case his own time is wasted for the day, 

 or the greater part of it, and often the work at home 

 does not get on as well as it might do during his 

 absence ; in the other the wage of his man for that 

 day must be added to the out-of-pocket expenses con- 

 nected with the animal. If it is anything that must 

 be carried, such as a fat pig, the cost of cartage must 

 also be allowed for or defrayed. 



Again, if the day be wet and the beast has to be 

 driven, frequently enough it reaches the market in 

 a condition that does not attract buyers. Or it may 

 be necessary to send it by train, which is expensive. 



Let it be allowed, however, per contra, that the 

 Dane also has to deliver his animal at the factory, that 

 is to drive or cart it to the gate, where he bids it fare- 

 well and returns home. There his expense and trouble 

 end, whereas those of the English farmer only begin 

 at the market-place. Thus auctioneers do not sell for 

 nothing ; I believe that their commission amounts to 

 about sixpence in the pound on the price realised. 1 



1 On a fat sow which I have just sold at a local auction mart for 

 8, 5s., I see by the bill that the commission amounts to 4s. 3d. The 

 cost of carting it eight miles must also be deducted from the total 

 realised. H. R. H. 



