172 AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION 



Farmers' Co-operative Association is deserving of 

 special attention alike because of the rapidity of its 

 development, and because it constitutes a combination 

 especially of 'large' farmers, thus setting aside the 

 general assumption that, while combination may be 

 highly desirable from the point of view of small pro- 

 ducers, there is no need for it in the operations of those 

 who can already buy or sell in substantial quantities. 



The association was registered so recently as 

 March 23, 1904. The headquarters are at Ipswich, 

 and on the occasion of my visit there, at the end of 

 November, 1905, I learned that the association had 

 then 300 members, who represented a total of 110,000 

 acres, and a total farming capital of from 700,000 to 

 800,000, the individual holdings ranging from 50 to 

 4,000 acres. I learned also that the association started 

 with the hope of working up a turnover of 10,000 a 

 year ; that it secured one of 15,000 within the first 

 twelve months ; that a total of 50,000 or 60,000 was 

 confidently expected for the second year ; and that 

 during the aforesaid month of November the business 

 done was at the rate of 130,000 a year. Such had 

 been the immediate outcome of twenty months' 

 operations. 



The objects of the association, as set forth in the 

 registered rules, are : 



To carry on the industry or occupation of wholesale and retail 

 dealers in agricultural requirements and produce, in dairy produce, 

 eggs and poultry ; commission agents ; dealers in farm and garden 

 produce, with power to purchase or hire pedigree stock ; also 

 general dealers in any other class of goods the committee may 

 direct. The society may obtain and disseminate among its 

 members useful information in order to foster, develop, and 

 promote the agricultural organization movement in Great Britain 

 upon the same successful lines which have obtained in Ireland ; 

 and may make advances to members for reproductive or economic 

 purposes on security approved by the committee, and may do all 

 things necessary or expedient for the accomplishing of its object. 



