AGRICULTURAL CO-OPERATION 169 



while as regards accomplished results, one authority 

 on the subject, M. Louis Varlez, says : 



1 " The movement has hardly yet been outlined, and 

 already the agrarian crisis has moderated ; in some 

 parts of the country it has already come to an end. 

 We are taking part in a real awakening [un vrai reveil) 

 of agriculture. What will it be like when the move- 

 ment has developed its full proportions — when it shall 

 have spread throughout the entire country ?" 

 ***** 

 ' Of local agricultural leagues, formed by agricul- 

 turists " for the study and the defence of agricultural 

 interests," there were in Belgium at the end of 1901 

 no fewer than 776, with a membership of 42,659. The 

 action of these leagues is in some cases confined to 

 a single hamlet, while in others it may extend over 

 several communes ; but nearly all are affiliated to 

 some federation whose operations may embrace a 

 canton, a province, or the entire country. . . . 



1 The primary object of the local societies is the 

 purchase in common of agricultural necessaries, this 

 being effected through central organizations, some of 

 which are represented by limited liability companies 

 formed by the agriculturists as an adjunct to their 

 ordinary associations. Of purchase societies the 

 number in 1901 was 780, with a total membership 

 of 49,000, and the purchases amounted to a total of 

 14,000,000 francs (84 lakhs). Some of the associations 

 procure costly agricultural machinery, which they let 

 out on hire to their members or others, the value of 

 the machinery thus held in 1901 being 98,000 francs 

 (Rs. 58,800). The equipment of co-operative dairies 

 is undertaken in certain instances, and the federations 

 operating in the dairy districts have organized a com- 

 plete system of inspection as to the working and 

 managing of the establishments belonging to their 

 members. 



1 The raising of funds for the carrying on of agricul- 



