CHAPTER XXIV 
CO-OPERATION IN EGG-FARMING 
Ts are few industries where co-operation offers a more 
inviting field than in the collection and distribution of 
eggs. The advantages of co-operative buying, where large 
quantities may be handled and everything purchased at first hand, 
are also too obvious to be elaborated. In both buying and selling 
the egg-farmer will frequently find co-operation, whether in con- 
junction with a few neighbours, or in the organised efforts of a 
community of farmers, most helpful and profitable. Profits in 
most businesses, and especially in egg-production, are made up of a 
multitude of small things, and every saving that can be effected 
either in buying or selling has a potent effect on the balance-sheet. 
There are instances where there may only be two to three 
farmers in the district. One of these may possess a horse and van 
and the other two may not. What more natural then than a 
combination between the three to utilise the services of the horse 
and van for taking their produce to the railway station or to a 
local market? I have known of co-operation between half-a-dozen 
egg-farmers in this way. One possessed a horse and they mutually 
arranged that all should send their eggs to market by the man who 
owned the horse. Later on, being a trustworthy man, he also 
became the distributer and sold the eggs of the little syndicate, and 
charging a commission of one penny a dozen for carriage and 
distribution he returned the full market prices, less commission, 
each evening on returning from his journey. He was also able to 
buy food-stuffs at wholesale prices and deliver them to his friends, 
By a small charge of threepence per ewt. he made it profitable 
for himself and equally valuable to his friends, who each got his 
goods at the net wholesale price plus the nominal charge for 
carriage. 
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