144 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



CO-OPERATION.' 



BY C. R. WHITE, PRESIDENT XEW YORK STATE VEGETABLE GROWERS' 

 ASSOCIATION, IONIA, N. Y. 



Some Suggestions toward solving One of the Most Vital 

 Problems of the Present-day Farmer. 



At the present time, when there is so much discussion regarding 

 co-operation, and when there is such an apparent need for a gi-eat 

 advance along that line, as relief from labor stringency, and complex 

 methods of distribution of the necessities of life, it is evident to all 

 who have studied the question of co-operation from the practical 

 standpoint that the greatest need of the time is to educate the public 

 to a thorough understanding of what real co-operation is, and to 

 impress upon the Avould-be co-operator the fact that to co-operate 

 is more than to become a sort of half-hearted member of some as- 

 sociation, with no real obligation on his part; and it is further im- 

 portant that a warning should be given so that the public may not 

 become the victim of smooth-tongued promoters or over-zealous en- 

 thusiasts, who see gi'eat oppoi'tunities in co-operation, but who have 

 not become familiar with the human equation involved, which can 

 be worked out only by education of the individual co-operators, and 

 is, therefore, a rather slow and tedious undertaking. 



Viewing the possible ways in which co-operation can be of benefit, 

 especially to the farmer, without relation to the diflfieulties of putting 

 them into operation, the field is so vast and the apparent benefits 

 so great that it is indeed disheartening when he realizes how slow 

 must be the growth which will eventually plant thoroughly well- 

 organized associations throughout our country, having a membership 

 whose loyalty to their association will be second only to their loyalty 

 to country. 



Co-operative insurance has long since ceased to be but an experi- 

 ment. Millions upon millions of dollars of fire insurance is carried 

 throughout the country by such companies. Rates have been ma- 

 terially reduced, and adjustments are made upon merit and justice 

 instead of by avaricious and technical methods. 



The co-operative creamery in thousands of eases has been of great- 



> Crop Report for July, 1913. 



