1910.] Co-operative Live Stock Insurance. 643 



were the presence of the felted beech coccus (Cryptococcus 

 fagi) throughout the wood, and of the large larch saw-fly 

 (Nematus erichsoni). Although beech coccus could be de- 

 tected on most of the trees, it was seldom very bad, and is 

 not taken seriously by the Belgian foresters. The occurrence 

 of the larch saw-fly is somewhat remarkable. The larch is 

 found only in small scattered groups in Belgium, and 

 flourishes nowhere, yet it was possible to find signs of the 

 presence of the insect almost everywhere. 



The visit to the Arboretum at Groenendael in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Brussels w*as spoiled by incessant rain. Almost 

 every exotic tree which was at all likely to succeed under the 

 climatic conditions has been planted in small "boquets" 

 under forest conditions. 



The Belgian Forest Service is extremely energetic and well 

 organised. Numerous experiments have been started during 

 the last few years to determine the best methods of thinning 

 and regenerating woods, and of bringing new plantations on 

 to ground which has been bare for considerable periods. The 

 question of manuring poor soils has also been taken up very 

 strongly. 



It is proposed to give a summary of some of the more 

 important papers read at the Congress in future numbers 

 of this Journal. 



CO-OPERATIVE LIVE STOCK INSURANCE. 

 E. A. Stopford. 



Irish Agricultural Organisation Society. 



The insurance of live stock by groups of farmers with their 

 own money, and under their own management, has often 

 been started and worked in various countries, but until recent 

 years it showed no tendency to spread, but rather to flicker 

 and die out. Agricultural co-operation has, however, 

 taught small farmers in many countries the benefit to them- 

 selves and to their neighbours of union and fellowship, and 

 organised mutual self-help is now recognised as a principle 

 of success in farming. When farmers on the Continent 

 began to organise themselves into co-operative syndicates, it 

 was not long before the invaluable benefits of cattle insurance 



