436 Progress of Agriculturai. Co-operation. [Aug., 



steadily, and wherever these settlements include a sufficient 

 number of holders to justify concerted action, co-operative 

 societies are being formed to undertake the supply of require- 

 ments and the marketing of produce. Isolated small holders 

 are encouraged to join the farmers' societies. In the latter case 

 no difficulty is experienced in obtaining effective service, bat the 

 societies that are composed exclusively of small holders are often 

 hampered from turning their produce to the best advantage by 

 the lack or cost of adequate transport facilities, and progress in 

 this direction must necessarily be slow until a radical improve- 

 ment is effected in the transport system of the country. 



The tide will not turn in the agricultural co-operative move- 

 ment, which is now firmly established as the natural business 

 agent of the agricultural community. The fortunes of individual 

 societies will vary in accordance with the degree of foresight, 

 prudence and imagination exercised by those who are responsible 

 for their direction, with the efficiency of their actual manage- 

 ment, and with the loyalty and financial backing of their 

 members ; but the future of agricultural trading in this country 

 now rests with the producers themselves. 



