CO-OPERATION IN EGG-FARMING 207 
essential, however, that members of a co-operative society should 
recognise that the success of the society depends on their treating it 
Jairly and supplying it with all the eggs they have for sale. 
The most important subject for consideration by an egg and 
poultry society is that of direct trading with retailers in the con- 
suming districts, in order to obviate intermediary profits and 
charges, and to reduce the period and cost of transit as much as 
possible. This applies especially to the marketing of eggs, as the 
better traders are desirous of obtaining a direct supply. Efforts 
should therefore be made to deal directly with retail traders. 
This may be accomplished by canvassing, or by means of intro- 
ductions. It is here that local societies have a great advantage 
over individual producers, who could not ensure a regular or suffi- 
cient supply to meet the requirements of traders. The sale of 
small quantities to consumers is expensive, and has not proved 
satisfactory, or capable of more than a limited extension. In the 
case of poultry for table purposes it frequently happens that, 
owing to a more regular demand, better returns are obtained in 
the wholesale markets. 
It is often the case that for a few weeks in the spring supplies 
are in excess of the demand, and in order to avoid throwing 
large quantities on the market at low prices local societies have 
found it profitable to preserve their surplus eggs. This can be 
done better by them than by individual producers, and marketing 
is also greatly facilitated. 
Besides the sale of eggs for table use a co-operative egg and 
poultry society may be in a position to undertake the provision 
and sale of sittings of eggs from reliable strains of both pure-bred 
and cross-bred poultry and ‘of high-class stock birds. 
SALE OF POULTRY 
In many districts a fattening station would be a very useful 
adjunct to a co-operative egg and poultry society, and would 
provide an outlet for poultry at enhanced prices. Larger premises 
would be required than for an egg depot, as the birds are kept for a 
