1905.] Cow and Pig Clubs in Lincolnshire. 



3 5 



At the end of 1899 

 „ 1902 

 1904 



Funds in hand, 



£ s. d. 

 179 10 5 



253 17 11 

 292 3 9 



Of the ^292 3s. gd. standing to the credit of the Society on 

 December 31st, 1904, £200 is lent on the security of real estate, 

 and the balance is on current account at the Society's bankers. 

 The members meet at head-quarters for their annual supper, 

 half the cost of which is discharged out of the Club's funds. 

 The Secretary, a substantial farmer and dealer, receives an 

 extremely moderate salary for his work. 



The Society made one mistake which was soon remedied. 

 Any sort of cow was at first admitted, with the result that the 

 Society was imposed upon by a few persons who bought and 

 entered old cows of little value and claimed average value at 

 death. This practice was effectually stopped by the adoption of 

 a new rule to the effect that no cow would be accepted for 

 insurance which had had more than two calves. Again, if the 

 Marker has cause to suspect that any cow required to be marked 

 by him is unsound or diseased, he is not allowed to mark such 

 cow without the concurrence of the Valuing Committee ; and 

 as the Marker is a practical man and himself a cow-keeper, the 

 Society is sufficiently protected. If a member lose a cow or 

 cows from any contagious disease, he is not allowed to enter 

 another until the cow-shed and adjoining buildings have been 

 thoroughly disinfected. 



The value of the Society to small cow-keepers is shewn by an 

 examination of the counterfoils of the cheque book, which 

 indicate that one unlucky occupier of less than eight acres of 

 land has received payment for four cows ; another small farmer, 

 " overtaken by misfortune," for three cows ; while a third had 

 on one occasion two cows killed by lightning. 



The success of the Society is largely due to the fact that 

 the members are thrifty, reliable men, and the responsible 

 officials are substantial farmers who attend to the business of 

 the Society, and whose interest in the Club has increased as 

 they witness year by year the advantage which it gives to their 

 neighbours. 



Pig Clubs. — The constitution, membership, and working of an 



