576 



Notices of Books. 



[Sept., 1922. 



consideration of the relevant facts, and if the theory arises from the facts 

 without conscious search for it, its influence is greater tlian that of one for 

 which there has been a conscious and logical process of seeking. This is the 

 method pursued by Mr. Warman in his book. His intention was to explain 

 the aims and the ideas which animate co-operators as well as the facts of the 

 present position," but he allows the aims and the ideas to emerge from the 

 facts. For those who are afraid of theories, this book need hold no terrors. 

 It is a plain unvarnished story, yet it has all the elements of sound material 

 and thorough workmanship which should appeal to farmers if they are as 

 practical minded as their friends think and declare them to be. 



It is impossible to summarise the contents of a book so fitted with facts as 

 this, for here are garnered as many facts as could be conveniently stored 

 within the covers of any one book on the subject. If it contains little theory 

 it also contains little history, for the stoiy of the early agricultural co-operative 

 movement in England is contained in about 18 pages. The greater part of 

 the book is devoted to the recording of events and movements since 1913 and 

 to the discussion of current problems. This means that it summarises the ex- 

 periences of the movement vvithin the memory of those who are now concerned 

 in its welfare. It goes farther than this, however, for where problems 

 have arisen for which no solution has appeared in this country, some of the 

 experience and methods of other countries is given. Yet this book differs 

 from all others on agricultural co-operation in its primarily English character 

 and its insistence upon the importance of English experience. 



Naturally the discussion of the problem of the Agricultural Wholesale 

 Society receives a good deal of attention, and as it is difficult to deal adequately 

 with the pros and cons of this subject, those interested should read with care 

 Chapter V. The chapter on the Agricultural Organization Society seems 

 scarcely adequate, but it was good policy to give the available space to the 

 description and discussion of the work of the actual trading societies. The 

 most interesting matter in the book is in Appendix A, which should not be 

 overlooked by any reader. This summarises the experience of twenty years' 

 w^ork in a very brief and illuminating way. Here the main general principles 

 which must govern every successful co-operative movement are laid bare, and 

 again it should be clear that they have arisen directly from experience. 



" As a mere business method " co-operation " has justified itself." Still 

 " the avenues for co-operative developments are unlimited," only " each step 

 forward has to be considered on its merits." As long as English agricultural 

 co-operators look at their experience and aims in this way there is every pros- 

 pect of the continued success of their movement. They need not be afi-aid of 

 theories when they derive them from experience, even though the co-operative 

 movements of other countries have developed theories and practices which 

 would not be acceptable to English farmers of the pj-esent day. This is a 

 thoroughly English book which should be read by all who are interested in 

 agricultural trading, including even the many critics of the co-operative 

 movement. 



Printed under the authority of His Majesty's Stationeky Office, 

 By Metchim ^: Son, Princes Street, Westminster, S.W. 1. 



