191 1.] Co-operative Movement in Denmark. 



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this point it is of interest to note the manner in which the 

 different classes of farms participate in this movement. Of 

 the very small farms only 3*1 per cent, are members of a 

 co-operative dairy, but at the same time the milk of 58 per 

 cent, of all the cows owned by this class of peasant farmer is 

 delivered to some such dairy. In other words, most of these 

 farmers are too small to possess a cow, while more than 

 half of those that do are members of a co-operative dairy. 



The next class most weakly interested in the co-operative 

 dairy movement is that of the large farmers — in many cases 

 the great land-owners — of whom only 43*5 per cent, are 

 members of a co-operative dairy. In this case the reason is 

 to be found in the fact that they are very often owners of 

 dairies in which they deal with their own milk — in some few 

 cases even adding to it by buying milk from their smaller 

 neighbours. 



Between these two extremes about 85 per cent, of all the 

 farmers are members of a co-operative dairy, i.e., about 85 per 

 cent, of the milk produced in the country is sold to a co- 

 operative institution. 



Benefit of Co-operative Dairies to Smaller Farmers. — The 

 immense benefit of this movement to the smaller farmers can 

 hardly be over-estimated. It was formerly practically im- 

 possible for the smaller man to deal with the milk produced 

 on his farm in such a manner as to secure a high and uniform 

 standard of butter and cheese. He had to rely on the local 

 market for the sale of his produce, and there was besides a 

 considerable wastage of by-products. Under the co-operative 

 system — which owes its success largely to the introduction 

 of the centrifugal separators, which render it possible to deal 

 with large quantities of milk expeditiously — the small farmer 

 is assured of the best market obtainable, has more time for 

 properly attending to his farm and stock, is able to buy 

 back at a very low figure by-products such as separated milk, 

 which he may need for his own purposes, and, most important 

 of all, he has won the reliance of the market on the high and 

 uniform standard of his produce. 



Management of a Co-operative Creamery. — The society 

 having been formed, an executive committee is elected, it 

 in turn electing its chairman, vice-chairman, and treasurer. 



K K 



