No. 4.] RURAL CREDIT, ETC., IN EUROPE. Ill 



FkEXCH Co-OPERATIOiS'. 



While the commission was in Paris, M. Albert Viger, who 

 has several times been Minister of Agriculture, gave an ad- 

 dress. He stated that there are 10,000 co-operative associa- 

 tions in France with a membership of 65,000. These 

 societies purchase feeds, fertilizers, seeds and agricultural 

 tools, and sell dairv and other products of the farmers. 



Co-operative societies conduct mutual insurance against 

 loss by fire, crop damage by hail, cattle loss from disease, and 

 life insurance. These insurance societies are for farmers 

 only and have a membership of 80,000. Individually these 

 societies would be weak, but they are federated into one large 

 and powerful association. This central organization main- 

 tains a legal department where any question of law is looked 

 up, legal papers drawn or examined and legal advice given 

 to members. As many as 10,000 letters are received and 

 answered every year. The organization of this work was a 

 difficult matter and required a deal of hard labor by M. 

 Viger and his coworkers, for strong opposition, especially 

 from insurance companies, was encountered. Their sign is 

 two hands clasped and their motto, " One for all and all 

 for one." 



Much more might be said and written in regard to the 

 wonderful trip of the commission and its opportunity for 

 observing conditions and methods in the several countries 

 visited. I feel, however, that I have given you to-night 

 enough to at least set you thinking, and I trust that I have 

 made clear some of the methods and practices which have 

 prc>ved so successful across the water. I feel that co-opera- 

 tion is the keynote of future progress and universal success 

 in agriculture in this country. We shall do well to get out 

 from under the framework of individualism upon which we 

 have so long depended for shelter from competitive products, 

 and upon the solid foundation of agriculture erect a frame- 

 work of co-operation which will, beyond a question, be suffi- 

 cient to sustain any burden of competition which it may be 

 called upon to suj^port. 



