i9i i.] Co-operative Movement in Denmark. 477 



The contributions to the dairy associations are generally 

 based on the amount of milk dealt with ; in the case of the 

 dairies themselves sometimes on the number of cows belong- 

 ing to the subscriber, sometimes on the amount of milk; 

 while in the case of bacon factories the subscription is, as a 

 rule, regulated by the number of hogs slaughtered, the sub- 

 scriber in this latter case generally guaranteeing a fixed sum. 



Larger Product of the Cows on Smaller Farms. — The 

 average yield of milk from cows on farms of the two smallest 

 classes is considerably higher than that on larger farms. 

 This is probably largely due to the fact that on the smaller 

 farms the number of cows kept is proportionately fewer, and 

 the farmer is consequently able to attend to them personally 

 and more thoroughly than is possible on a larger scale. 



Control Societies. — In 1895 a new departure was made in 

 agricultural associations, by the formation of the first Control 

 Society (Kontrolforening) ; the number had increased to 479 

 in 1907, with an aggregate membership of about 12,000. 

 These societies are aided by the State, the subvention in 

 1906-7 being Kr. 120,000 (,£6,666). 



Formation of Control Societies. — Though not actually 

 co-operative undertakings, these societies are formed on co- 

 operative lines by the farmers in various districts. A mem- 

 bership of eight is necessary before the society can receive 

 State aid, though this aid may be refused by the Minister of 

 Agriculture in certain circumstances. 



Object of Control Societies — Improvement oj Breed of 

 Cattle. — The principal aim of these societies is to improve the 

 milk-producing capacities of the breed of cattle in Denmark. 

 With this object an expert is appointed as controller (it is 

 calculated that one .{controller can look after about 1,000 

 cows). This officer travels from one farm to another in his 

 district and gives the farmers advice as to the cows they 

 should select for breeding purposes, and the bulls to which 

 it would be best to put them. The farmer has to keep a 

 record of the weight of milk yielded by each cow, and of the 

 ! butter-fat contained therein, together with details as to the 

 amount and nature of the fodder supplied to the cow. By 

 this means the controller is able to advise as to the profitable- 

 ness of the animal. The practice of breeding only from such 



