CO-OPERATION IN EGG-FARMING 203 
registered club or society be borne equally by the members. 
Particulars of the formation of registered societies are given 
below. 
Co-oPERATIVE EaG SoctrEties 
In rural districts, where the local demand is comparatively small, 
but where a fair number of producers exist, an endeavour should 
be made to form a co-operative society through which all the eggs 
produced can be sold under conditions which will ensure absolute 
freshness and consequently high prices. The society should com- 
prise all the farmers, small-holders and cottagers within a radius of 
a few miles. 
A number of such societies have been established within the last 
few years, and have proved most successful. As a result of their 
operations, egg-production in these districts has much increased, 
and better prices have been obtained all round. It is claimed that 
apart from the profits made by the societies the prices obtained 
by members have averaged about twopence per dozen more than 
the prices received before the opening of these depots. One of 
the most successful of these societies sold over 8,000,000 eggs 
in 1916 for £63,000. 
When it is proposed to establish such a society, it is desirable 
to obtain the advice and assistance of the Agricultural Organisa- 
tion Society, Queen Anne’s Chambers, Westminster, S.W., who 
will give all necessary assistance as regards the formation of 
co-operative societies in England and Wales. This society is an 
organisation for promoting the formation of agricultural co- 
operative societies, but does not itself engage in trade. 
The next step is to register the society under the Industrial 
and Provident Societies Act of 1898, in order that it may have a 
legal existence and be able to enter into contracts. A small fee 
is charged by the Registrar of Friendly Societies for this, but by 
registration members obtain a security which an unregistered 
society cannot possess. The Agricultural Organisation Society 
has drawn up a set of model rules which has been approved by the 
