772 



Notes on the Weather in December. [Jan., 



with Co-operative Societies in small country towns, many of 

 whose members are engaged in agriculture or horticulture in 

 one form or another. 



A successful instance of this is afforded by the Wickham 

 Market Industrial Co-operative Society, which at the begin- 

 ning of 1906 undertook the collection of eggs, a branch of 

 business for which it had special facilities, as its carts were 

 regularly engaged in delivering goods to members scattered 

 over a somewhat wide area. These carts in delivering groceries, 

 &c, also undertook the collection of eggs, while, in addition, 

 a cart was sent out specially once a week to supplement the 

 other rounds. During the first six months after the experi- 

 ment was started, 18,714 eggs were received, but the trade 

 grew so rapidly that the total for 1906 was 155,000, and during 

 1907 the number was 449,000. Since then there has been a 

 rapid increase, not only from wider collection, but also 

 because as a result of better prices, producers have been stimu- 

 lated to improve their methods, and the total number received 

 in 2J years has been 1,113,000. A very large proportion of 

 the supply is purchased from members of the Society, but 

 some are also obtained from non-members, who may at the 

 same time purchase ordinary goods sold by the Society. It 

 is stated in the Journal of the National Poultry Organisation 

 Society that before the Society began to deal in eggs not 

 more than is. for 22 or 24 eggs could be obtained in the 

 plentiful season, but during the past season the price has 

 never been below is. for 18, which is a considerable advance. 

 The Co-operative Wholesale Society, to which the Wickham 

 Market Society is affiliated, has been a regular customer, and 

 the marketing section of the National Poultry Organisation 

 Society has also helped to dispose of large quantities weekly. 



During the first week in December the conditions were mostly dry, rain 

 being slight and infrequent. The temperature was above the average generally, 

 the excess being greatest in the north and east of 

 Notes Oil the Weather Scotland, and the south-west of England. Tn 

 in December. England N.E. and N.W., the temperature was 



below the average. Rainfall was light or very 

 light in all districts except Scotland, W., where it was moderate. Bright sun- 

 shine was very slight in many parts of England, and entirely wanting at 

 Greenwich, Westminster, and most of the stations in England E., as well as 



