ATTITUDE OF MANUFACTURERS 171 



societies, but they recognise that the important 

 educational results of the co-operative movement must 

 lead to the agriculturists of the country having a keener 

 appreciation of the value of scientific farming, in which 

 case there will naturally be an increased demand for 

 fertilizers. In one instance a prominent manufacturer 

 has intimated his readiness to show practical sympathy 

 with what is being done by supplying, free of charge, 

 the manures necessary for the conduct of field experi- 

 ments carried out with a view to promoting the technical 

 knowledge of agriculturists. Such instances of sym- 

 pathy as this, on the part of manufacturers, are the 

 more remarkable because, under the influence of com- 

 bination among agriculturists, the era of high-priced 

 special manures is rapidly passing away, and one of 

 lower rates (for commodities equally as good) is taking 

 its place. 



The federation is also able to obtain feeding-stuffs 

 in bulk on the most advantageous terms. It has 

 arranged with certain trustworthy firms to supply seeds 

 of guaranteed quality and germinating power at rates 

 substantially lower than those at which they could be 

 purchased before ; while in the purchase of agricultural 

 implements and machinery it secures discounts ranging 

 from 15 to 30 per cent. Everything, in fact, that a 

 farmer may want is now to be obtained through the 

 federation, and good results ought to follow from the 

 facilities thus offered for securing that decrease in ' cost 

 of production ' which, on a small margin of profit, may 

 make all the difference between a gain and a loss. 

 The federation, however, has been formed so recently 

 that at present certain of the societies are still buying 

 on their own account. 



^ Of the various local societies affiliated with the Agri- 

 cultural Organization Society, the Eastern Counties 



