566 



A Successful Egg-Collecting Society. [Sept.^ 



goats and rabbits, and a wide variety of articles made therefrom, 

 ranging from gloves to white beveren coats for children. It 

 would appear that, if properly handled, there should be a profit 

 in the production of good rabbit pelts. 



The West Surrey Goat Club have also arranged goat classes 

 at various agiicultural shows taking place during the season in 

 the district. Among other goat shows held this season was that 

 of the Sussex County Goat Club, which took place in May in 

 conjunction with the Sussex County Agricultural Society's Show, 



A BRIEF account of the Fairford and Cirencester Egg Depot, 

 Limited, a successful Society for the collection and sale of eggs, 

 A Successful interest to those engaged 



CoUectin poultry industry. There is con- 



^ q ? .^^ siderable scope for the development of the 



^' idea that poultry-keepers working in co- 



operation can supply markets in a way which is much more 

 profitable to the individual than if he tried to do his business 

 alone. 



The advantages which this enterprising Society lays before its 

 members may be summed up as follows : — (1) An efficient motor- 

 collecting service; (2) No expense of marketing; (8) Large or 

 small quantities of eggs accepted; (4) Payment for eggs, at the 

 best possible price obtainable, made in cash either monthly or 

 quarterly; (5) Profits distributed amongst members; (6) Free 

 advice on ailments of poultry. 



The Society was established in 1901 and since 1904 has made 

 profits every year and increased its egg sale until it now reaches 

 over a million annually. The Society has contracts to supply 

 eggs to several large hospitals and also to His Majesty the King. 



It is no part of the Society's aim to make large profits. These 

 are kept as low as possible, the aim being to get as high a price 

 for the members' eggs as can be got. This price is decided each 

 week by the manageress after careful scrutiny of the markets 

 and the relevant information. As the price is fixed for the whole 

 week, great care and circumspection are necessary, and, if good 

 judgment is not used, large sums can easily be lost. A great 

 point with the Societv is never to refuse to take eggs from its 

 members, even in times of glut. When these occur, and the 

 Society has more eggs than it has a clear demand for, it does 

 not preserve any eggs, its policy being against that course on 

 the view that preservation does not really pay owing to foreign 

 competition. At such times, the Societv finds that its regular 



