56 



Farmers' Co-operative Association. 



[APRIL, 



An example of the successful establishment of a farmers' 



Co-operative Society on a comparatively large scale is afforded 



by the Eastern Counties Farmers' Co- 



Eastern operative Association, which was incor- 



Counties Farmers' , , 



Co - operative porated in March, 1904, and has recently 



Association. issued its second annual report, covering a 



period of ten months to the close of 1905. 

 The position of the Association during those ten months is 

 described as having been one of uninterrupted and unprece- 

 dented progress. On March ist, 1905, the membership was 

 158, representing 61,620 acres, with a nominal capital of 

 £1,^40 los., and the goods sold in the previous twelve months 

 came to 15,400. On the 31st December last the membership 

 was 289, representing 99,730 acres, with a nominal capital of 

 ^2,493, while the sales for the ten months amounted to 

 ;^47,o66. 



The capital of the Society is raised by shares of the nominal 

 value of 5s. for every ten acres occupied by members, of which 

 IS. 3d. has been called up, so that the paid-up capital is /650. 

 The net profits, after providing for the payment of the working 

 expenses and allowing for interest at the rate of 5 per cent, on 

 the called-up capital, was ;^I09, of which was allotted as a 

 bonus to the workers, and £So was carried to reserve. 



The Committee consider that the success of the business may 

 be largely attributed to the fact that, owing to the support which 

 members have given in the way of placing their orders with 

 the Association, it has been able to secure competent and expert 

 managers, whose services, in conjunction with those of the 

 Trading Committee, renders the Association one of the best 

 trading bodies working for the interests of the farmers in the 

 Eastern Counties. The Association is, in effect, a large 

 merchant working for the good of the farmer. 



The relations of the Association with the wholesale merchants 

 and manufacturers are becoming most friendly, and there are 

 but few firms who will not now supply the Association on the 

 best trade terms. Apart from the purchases made on behalf of 

 members, the disposal of stock and produce is rapidly increasing. 

 Over 5,600 coombs of cereals were sold during the last three 

 months, together with quantities of clover and other seeds. 



