PKEFACE XV 



can be given to show how remarkably widespread is the partici- 

 pation in the movement. There were in 1916 approximately 

 the following number of members in the larger societies : — 



Co-operative Distributive Societies . . 244,000 



Co-operative Dairy Societies 190,000 



Co-operative Bacon Factories . . . . 135,000 



Co-operative Egg Export Societies . . . . 45,000 



Co-operative Manure Purchasing Societies . . 70,000 

 Co-operative Feeding Stuff Society, Jutland 



only 44,000 



Cattle Breeding Societies 23,000 



Control Societies 16,000 



This list, from which many important societies have been 

 omitted, shows that many farmers are members of several 

 societies. (jn,deed, it will be found quite a common thing for 

 a farmer, especially a peasant proprietor, to be a member of 

 ten or more of these co-operative societies^ Besides these 

 Co-operative Societies in connection with agriculture there 

 are 122 Agricultural Societies proper with 104,400 members, 

 and 904 small societies of small-holders (Husmcend) with a 

 total of about 55,000 members. (" Landokonomisk Aarbog," 

 1917, published by the E.A.S.D.) 



The striking difference in the co-operative movement as 

 it exists in England and in Denmark calls for an explanation. 

 The modern form of co-operation may well be said to owe its 

 origin to the action of the twelve Kochdale weavers in 1844. 

 From that small beginning has grown the mighty co-operative 

 movement in England with its 2500 retail distributive societies, 

 2,500,000 members, and an annual turnover of £111,000,000, 

 besides the Co-operative Wholesale Society with a turnover of 

 £43,000,000. Nearly all the " co-operative stores " are in the 

 towns, 90 per cent, of the members belong to the labouring 

 classes, in mills, mines, and railways. There are other co- 

 operative societies, in towns and country, but compared with 

 the distributive societies they are of minor importance or 

 influence in their various spheres. The seed of this movement 

 was transplanted into Denmark in the year 1866 by some 



