English Agricultural Societies. 



327 



subjects. In the following spring arrangements were also made 

 for carrying out experiments to demonstrate the value of various 

 manures on straw and root crops. In the summer of 1901 an 

 excursion was arranged by the society, when over twenty 

 members visited Kingston-on-Soar to inspect the County 

 Council Farm. Much interest was shown by the members in the 

 laboratories, buildings, and the live stock connected with the 

 farm. The visit was thoroughly enjoyed and much valuable 

 information obtained. 



The members of the society include men farming 600 acres 

 as well as those farming two or three acres. The list of members 

 also includes farm labourers keeping only a pig or two for 

 breeding purposes. The society has, undoubtedly, been an 

 influence for good, as well as of practical benefit to the members. 



It may be of interest to give some particulars setting out the 

 nature and amount of trade done by the society during the 

 past year. The turnover showed a total of ,£565, the principal 

 items being as follows :— Feeding stuffs, ,£257; coals, ,£140; 

 machinery, £121 ; amount paid in freight to the railway 

 company, £^J. The last annual return shows a credit balance 

 of £$. 



The item in above statement, " amount paid in freight to the 

 railway company," is of considerable interest, as it shows 

 how important a revenue even small agricultural co-operative 

 societies can yield to the railway companies with the mini- 

 mum amount of trouble. The railway company, instead of 

 having to deal with thirty or forty individuals, has only to do 

 with the society, and is thus saved much trouble and expense. 

 This applies equally to the merchant who supplies agricultural 

 requirements. The society saves him the bother and risk 

 attached to the keeping of a large number of accounts and the 

 collecting of the monies represented by such. It is, therefore, 

 natural that the society should expect from the railway company 

 the lowest possible freights, and from the merchant or manu- 

 facturer the best possible terms. 



The agricultural co-operative movement has developed 

 rapidly in Worcestershire. It was only in the autumn of last 

 year that steps were taken to organise a co-operative society 

 at Far Forest. Up to that time, though farmers' clubs 



