ON AGRICULTURE TO IRELAND 51 



it obtains important railway concessions and reduced rates. The 

 profit on the business, after providing for a reserve fund, is 

 divided among the members. The object which these societies 

 had in view has not, however, in all cases been attained. They 

 have not been strong enough to meet the competition of powerful 

 private and limited liability concerns. They were, however, 

 necessary steps in the co-operative movement, and they led up to 

 the federations of which we shall speak presently. Apart from the 

 creameries in connection with which co-operation began, and the 

 credit banks, which in a country without capital are indispensable, 

 and with which we shall deal in a separate chapter, the Agri- 

 cultural Societies are more numerous than any other societies. 

 Their rise and progress will be seen from these figures : — 



3. Poultry Societies 



The Poultry Societies are composed of- farmers and cottagers 

 residing within easy distance of each other. The shares were 

 originally 5s. shares, half of which was paid at the outset. The 

 more recently formed societies issue £1 shares on which 2s. 6d. 

 or 5s. only is paid up except on the dissolution of the society. 

 The advantaires of these societies are manifold. The manager of 

 the society teaches the members everything that is necessary in 

 connection with the profitable keeping of poultry. The society 

 sells to them cockerels and pullets of the best laying breeds, 

 furnishes them with the best feeding stuffs, disposes of their 

 fowls and eggs at the best available prices. While the society 

 is improving the income of the individual member, it is also 

 improving the quality of the poultry produce of Ireland. The 

 progress and development of these societies have not been so 

 marked as one would have expected. The first society was 

 formed in 1898, and there are only now twenty-five societies 

 altogether. But it must not be supposed that these twenty-five 

 societies represent all the societies dealing in poultry. Many of 

 the Agricultural and Dairy Societies have poultry departments, 

 and they are not included in the above. These are the figures 

 relating to the Poultry Societies proper for each year since the 

 start : 



