No. 4.] CO-OPERATION. 145 



est benefit, and when intelligently organized and conducted has almost 

 invariably been successful ; and right here let me mention a possible 

 combination which can be carried on to great advantage with the 

 ereamei'y plant, where the same management, same steam plant and 

 many other factors beside would work very auspiciously together. 

 This combination is the co-operative bakery and the co-operative 

 laundiy. Why should not the overworked counti'y housewives, where 

 the help question is so hard of solution, be relieved by up-to-date 

 bakery and laundry methods which are enjoyed in the cities? There 

 ai'e thousands of plants of this kind in operation in Europe where 

 such co-operation is enjoyed. 



Co-operative marketing is of the greatest importance if the " high 

 cost of living," the now ever-present cry of the city consumer, is to 

 cease. And yet at the same time there are many instances where 

 the products of the farm waste in the field. Great savings can be 

 made by co-operation in the purchase of supplies, and this can be 

 worked to the greatest advantage in connection with the selling as- 

 sociation, the same plants answering for both. By the combination 

 of the two the association will be enabled to hire a competent man- 

 ager, upon which so largely depends the success of all our efforts at 

 co-operation. 



Many States have enacted laws with the object in view of aiding 

 co-operative efforts. In New York State a law for the incorporation 

 of co-operative associations winch is especially adapted to such 

 organizations was enacted. Another act .passed by the same Legisla- 

 ture authorized the Commissioner of AgTieulture to appoint a 

 superintendent of co-operation, whose duty is to assist in organi- 

 zation work. Such appointment was made, and the work is being 

 earned forward in conjunction with the farm bureau. The New 

 York State Grange Co-operative Committee are drafting plans of 

 organization, and an organizer is to be appointed whose duty will 

 be to assist local granges in organizing for co-operative work. Very 

 many elaborate plans are being presented for bringing the producer 

 and the consumer into closer relation, some of which have a gi'eat 

 deal of merit. However, a word of warning should be given, for 

 these schemes offer great opportunity for shi-ewd promoters to get 

 rich at the expense of the would-be co-operators. In other cases, 

 where there is no backing by those experienced in handling farm 

 produce, so many difficulties are sure to arise with which the un- 

 initiated will not be able to cope that their failure is certain. The 

 old adage, " Great oaks from little acorns grow," I believe to be a 

 safe guide for the supporters of co-operation. Many small, well- 

 organized associations, where the membership is in close touch with 

 their organization and with each other, from which they can learn 

 true co-operation, hold a close sympathetic relation with the in- 

 dividual members which is impossible with a large institution whose 



