136 AGRICULTURAL ORGANISATION 



Year. Societies. Members. Trade. 



1907 • • • • 163 



1908 .. ... 281 



1909 •• ..321 



19 10 • . . . 396 



Branch Devolution. 



So, at the end of 1910, this substantial expansion of the 

 Society's activities led to a beginning being made with a 

 fresh devolution policy. 



The fundamental principle of the scheme then drawn up 

 was the division of England and Wales into suitable areas, 

 each of which would eventually have a Branch or Advisory 

 Committee (or, as it was called in the first instance, a 

 " Section ") designed to link up the local societies and 

 various local interests, and to deal, through its own adminis- 

 tration, with all matters of detail in the general organising 

 work within its own area, affording, to this extent, a 

 material relief to the headquarters' staff, though still looking 

 to the central organisation for control, guidance or direction 

 in regard to questions of principle or matters on which expert 

 advice might be desired. Each Branch was to be centrally 

 situated, and was to have its own committee, its own offices, 

 its own secretary, and its own staff of organisers, these 

 officials being members of the headquarters' staff though 

 working under the supervision of the Branch Committee. 



While retaining the independence secured to them under 

 their rules, and having their representation on the Branch 

 Committee, the affiliated societies within each area were to 

 be encouraged to look to the Branch office for such advice or 

 assistance as they might need, as there would be obvious 

 advantages in obtaining this advice and assistance in the 

 aforesaid matters of detail from competent officials on the 

 spot, and familiar with local conditions, in preference to 

 having always to apply direct to London. 



Apart from these practical benefits alike to the head- 

 quarters' staff and to members of the affiliated societies, the 

 scheme would, it was expected, have a powerful effect in 



