1909.] 



Co-operative Societies. 



917 



practice of rasping the crust. Contracted heels and flat or 

 sprawling feet also cause this disease. 



In treatment it is well to remember that a division of the 

 horn or wall has taken place, and that the purpose in view is 

 to promote a fresh and rapid growth of new horn from the 

 coronet. With this object the coronet must be sharply blis- 

 tered, and a day or two afterwards the foot should be immersed 

 in hot water three or four times a day. As far as is possible 

 the blistered skin should be kept free from moisture, and if 

 this treatment is pursued methodically the horse may soon 

 be put to work, being shod with tips in preference to bar 

 shoes. 



CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES FOR THE PURCHASE 

 OF FARMING REQUISITES. 



The purchase of goods in large quantities by an associated 

 group of persons for distribution amongst themselves accord- 

 ing to their needs was one of the earliest forms of co-operation 

 in England, and where the goods were sold retail in small 

 quantities, as in the case of the large working class co- 

 operative stores, the advantages of the system were quickly 

 recognised. The application of the principle to the co-opera- 

 tive purchase of farming requisites, on the other hand, has 

 made but slow progress in this country, and farmers generally 

 have, in the past, been disposed to doubt the possibility of 

 obtaining by combined effort any better prices than those 

 which each individual could obtain for himself by bargaining 

 directly with merchants and dealers. There are a few large 

 associations which have a history extending over thirty or 

 forty years, but it is only recently that any considerable 

 advance has been made in the formation of societies for this 

 purpose. There is little doubt, however, that their advan- 

 tages are now much more generally admitted than was. the 

 case some ten or fifteen years ago. 



The benefit of co-operative purchase is most obvious in the 

 case of the small farmer who only requires to buy manures, 

 cake, seeds, and implements in small quantities. By purchas- 

 ing large quantities direct from the manufacturer and selling 

 at cost price, a co-operative society enables the small farmer to 

 procure his goods at a much more moderate rate than he 



