Organization of an Association 69 



may be carried on more economically, while yet retaining 

 their local freedom and individuality. 



The central organization, however, should cooperate 

 with the district and with the local associations in build- 

 ing up the cooperative spirit among the members. It 

 should assist in the organization of new associations or 

 district divisions by helping secure the charter, constitu- 

 tion, and by-laws and in such other matters as tend to 

 perfect the organization. It should cooperate with the 

 local associations in establishing the most approved 

 methods of management, of accounting and other details 

 of operation. It should be given authority by the di- 

 rectors to place experts in the field to help in the standardi- 

 zation of the handling, grading, and preparation of farm 

 products for market, so that there may be established 

 standard grades that have a definite meaning with the 

 trade, and it should have the authority to advise and 

 assist the local associations in every way that builds up 

 the cooperative movement. 



It has been found in European countries that the 

 cooperation of central organizations with the local asso- 

 ciations has been a leading factor in the successful es- 

 tablishment of the cooperative method of conducting 

 business. The experts sent out by the central body be- 

 come a strong educational factor among the cow-testing, 

 cattle-breeding, butter-making, egg-shipping, and crop- 

 distributing associations. It is the only practical method 

 of standardizing the grading and preparation of the farm 

 products for market, because the local associations when 

 left to themselves vary widely in the efficiency of manage- 

 ment and cannot attain that uniformity in their products 



