1907.] The Agricultural Organisation Society. 629 



has already been indicated by the further concessions which 

 have been granted to it by various firms, and also by the fact 

 that dealers are now offering far better terms to the societies 

 than they did prior to the existence of the Federation. Manu- 

 facturers also are, it is stated, finding it to their advantage to 

 deal with societies through the Federation. 



The Central Co-operative Agricultural Bank, Limited, which 

 has been in course of formation during 1906, will, it is hoped, 

 remove the chief difficulty encountered in the formation of 

 agricultural credit societies, viz., the difficulty of obtaining 

 capital, and that consequently the number of such societies will 

 increase more rapidly than has hitherto been the case. 



Another off-shoot from the Agricultural Organisation Society 

 is the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society, which was 

 formed in the course of 1905. Owing principally to the diffi- 

 culty and expense of sending organisers to places at a great 

 distance from London very little progress had up to that time 

 been made in forming societies in Scotland, and it was to carry 

 on this work that a propagandist society on similar lines was 

 formed in that country. An arrangement has been made 

 whereby the Farmers' Supply Association of Scotland can act 

 as the trading federation of local agricultural co-operative 

 societies formed in Scotland. 



The report shows that the work of the Agricultural Organisa- 

 tion Society continues to make satisfactory progress, but an appeal 

 is made for additional funds in order to enable an extension in 

 directions which at present have to be almost entirely neglected. 



In the second portion of the report an account is given of the 

 work of the affiliated societies. Among new developments, 

 mention may be made of the successful introduction of the co- 

 operative sale of live stock by the Winchcombe Co-operative 

 Auction Mart, which commenced business in February, 1905. 

 The Mart has proved a complete and striking success. During 

 1905 eleven sales were held, at which 1,074 beasts, 3,084 sheep, 

 and 1,363 pigs were disposed of, the total amount realised being 

 i^i7,459, the prices throughout comparing favourably with the 

 prices ruling in other markets in the county. The receipts from 

 commissions, &c., amounted to £2^4 is. iid., and the expenses 

 to 09 7s. 5d. 



