'220 AGRICULTURAL CO-OPERATION IN IRELAND. 



representative. A distinct step had been taken. It could be generally 

 stated that a highly technical manufacture had been conducted on sound 

 commercial principles by associations of farmers acting through com- 

 mittees elected under their rules from among themselves. Their product 

 was excellent, and the venture was highly remunerative. There was not 

 the slightest indication of even the average percentage of commercial 

 failure being mcurred. This result had been accomplished without any 

 •external aid whatsoever, except the advice and exhortation of the apostles 

 of co-operation. 



The Co-operative Creameries had proved to the farmers the advantage 

 which accrued to the individual from combination in the production of their 

 t)utter. The societies were still, though in a less degree, subject to the 

 same disadvantages as the individual, in its distribution. The waste of and 

 damage to their product, incidental to the local butter market was, it is true, 

 obviated by the creamery system, which enabled them to sell their butter 

 in bulk to the commission men. But they had not the means of testing the 

 solvency of these men, or of keeping in touch with the English markets. 

 In fact, the local committees had learned much, but had not commercial 

 experience. Several of the societies, therefore, federated themselves to- 

 gether in a selhng society, called the Irish Co-operative Agency Society, 

 which started in the autumn of 1892, with its head office in Limerick, and a 

 store in Manchester. This venture was, perhaps, premature, and too bold. 

 It resulted disastrously at first. The society became involved in lawsuits, 

 contracted bad debts, and, in its first year, lost all its capital. However, the 

 farmers recognised the necessity for independent distribution of their co- 

 operative product, and persevered with their new departure, giving remark- 

 able proof of the thoroughness with which they were imbued with the co- 

 operative spirit. 



The accompanying Map* shows graphically the remarkable extension of 

 the work of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society. In order to give 

 the reader an idea of the scope of that work, the following account (mainly 

 taken from the Report of the Organisation Society for the fifteen months 

 ending 31st December, 1900, and consequently, so far at least as the statistics 

 ■quoted are concerned, not quite up to date) has been compiled : — 



The actual number of Dairy Societies in existence [i.e. in December, 1900] 



_ . « . ^. was 2 ^6, and their distribution, membership, and trade 



Dairy Societies. ^^^ ^^ f^ij^^^ ._ 



Province. Societies. Membership. Trade, 



Leinster 



Munster - wy 3,^/^ , ^ r. ^ 



Ulster - lOQ 10,825 ( ^/03.»20 



Connaught 



t Totals, 236 26,577 



From the statistics it appears that the 26,577 members of these Societies 

 had invested no less a capital than ;^74,223, which is held by them in fully or 



* The statistics on which the Map is based have been brought up to date. 

 + The total trade (;f 703,826) given here only represents the total trade of those Societies 

 furnishing complete returns. 



