50 CO-OPERATION 



the most up-to-date methods, and by the 

 speedy distribution of valuable suggestions. 



In the earliest stages of these developments 

 agriculturists on the Continent perceived that 

 even with technical knowledge the small 

 owner was quite unable to obtain that eco- 

 nomic stability necessary to general success, 

 unless provided with some organization for 

 overcoming the difficulties of marketing his 

 produce and of buying his seeds, manures, 

 and necessaries at the cheapest prices. Credit, 

 of such value to the small cultivator, was quite 

 unobtainable except on prohibitive terms. 

 The peasant, in the position of a single unit, 

 became the prey of tradesmen and of local 

 middlemen. When marketing it was im- 

 possible for him to obtain fair treatment, and 

 his comparatively insignificant amount of pro- 

 duce was burdened by the heavy railway rates 

 consequent on a small consignment. A 

 remedy was speedily discovered. Peasants 

 around each village or centre " co-operate " 

 together for their purchases, thus obtaining 

 wholesale terms for their combined orders. 

 When marketing, their consignments are 

 bulked, and each individual member of the 



