202 THE FUTURE OF OUR AGRICULTURE. 



trained minds of university professors, as to what economic 

 Co-operation is. What is the definition that will place 

 this organisation in the class with those that are engaged 

 in economic Co-operation, and will place that organisation 

 outside ? You will confer a favour on this department 

 if you will communicate your formula which will establish 

 a test for including and excluding associations as co-operative 

 or not." Unfortunately a " formula " will not do it. It 

 is a matter of Spirit. 



We stand in great need of Co-operation for economic 

 purposes in its relations to rural life and Agriculture. I 

 think I have shown, in however brief and summary manner 

 it has had to be done, to how many different but in every 

 instance practical uses Co-operation can be most profitably 

 put in Agriculture. Surely in the future, when we propose 

 to lay ourselves out for heavier production, production of 

 crops and animal produce of increased value, and for 

 radically democratising our Agriculture and Land-holding 

 by opening the gates wide to small holders and farming 

 labourers, we need the help of Co-operation greatly. In 

 truth one cannot conceive how democratised Agriculture 

 can live without it. Past failures in the promotion of 

 Small Holdings policy are clearly attributable to the absence 

 in it of Co-operation ; to the attempt made — often enough 

 under very kindly, and even generous patronage — to breast 

 the waves of competition with other men, more favourably 

 situated, alone. In cases similar to these, wherever the 

 help of Co-operation has been enlisted, Co-operation has 

 brought substantial support, and it has it in its power 

 to do so still. 



But surely it is not only beeves and sheaves that we are 

 thinking of in proposing to recast our rural arrangements, 

 but men and women. " True Co-operation," once more to 

 quote Mr. Henry, " consists in organisation based on mutual 

 understanding, to further community interests. Being 

 a good neighbour is the first essential for being a good 

 American " — and a good Englishman, too, so one may add, 

 or a good Christian. And Mr. C. W. Thompson, of the 

 American Department of Agriculture, writes ; "In the 



