8 BULLETIN 860, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



application to the agricultural college of the State or to the Bureau 

 of Markets, United States Department of Agriculture. In a num- 

 ber of States there are farmers' grain dealers associations whose 

 secretaries are in a position to furnish valuable assistance. 



At or following these meetings, or in lieu of them, where it is 

 found desirable to conduct the preliminary survey quietly, a tenta- 

 tive subscription list may be circulated on which is shown the 

 names of prospective members, the amount of capital which each 

 prospective member thinks he can subscribe, and a conservative 

 estimate in bushels of the grain which he markets annually. 



It may seem to be a duplication of effort to secure this tentative 

 list of subscribers, and there may be conditions under which it will 

 be desirable to eliminate it. In any event a list of prospective mem- 

 bers, with an estimate of the capital and patronage to be furnished 

 by each, should be prepared in some form. This list may be used to 

 advantage as a basis for study and apportionment when later the 

 actual capital subscriptions are solicited. 



The preliminary survey may be made by committees appointed 

 at the first general meeting or by persons interested in the project. 

 If it is impracticable to secure actual signatures to the tentative sub- 

 scription list, then a list should be prepared in memorandum form, 

 from the best information available and with the assistance of some 

 one having an extensive acquaintance and knowledge of persons and 

 property in the community. 



"When the survey of local conditions and prospective membership, 

 capital, and patronage has been completed, it will be desirable to de- 

 termine in a general way the character and cost of the plant and 

 equipment necessary to handle the business. Again, the advice of 

 other associations in successful operation will be valuable. Contrac- 

 tors and builders of elevators will usually furnish estimates and 

 sometimes blue prints and plans for elevators of varying capacity. 

 No intensive study of building jDlans is necessary at this time. The 

 approximate amount of capital required to provide a plant is the 

 only purpose of the study. 



ORGANIZATION. 



ORGANIZATION MEETING. 



Assuming that the preliminary survey has shown an economic 

 need and a genuine community desire for organization, we are ready 

 to consider organization procedure. At this stage it will be neces- 

 sary to call a general meeting for the purpose of perfecting a 

 temporary organization and appointing the various committees 

 necessary to carry on the actual work of organization. In case 

 former meetings have been held and have been well organized and 



