An Italian Rural Co-operative Society. 241 



they are packed for exportation in cases containing four 

 dozen each. The tins are fitted with tubes, the cutting of 

 which enables the milk to be drawn in a clean and convenient 

 manner. After a portion of the milk has been taken out, the 

 tubes prevent the exposure of the milk to the air, and by this 

 means the product retains its freshness and purity for a long 

 period. 



\Foreif^n Office Report ^ Annual Series ^ No. 1920. Price 3^.] 



In the small town of Feltre, which is situated in the 



Venetian Alps, there exists a Co-op era- 



An Italian Rural ^ive Society composed of members who 

 Co-operative 



Society. belong to all classes of the agricultural 

 community. The holdings in the district 

 are generally small ; frequently so small as to be unable to 

 support the farmer's family, some of whom must needs leave 

 their home for some months each year in order to earn 

 labourers' wages elsewhere. The district is one where many 

 landowners, metayers^ and labourers are poor, and the soil is 

 only of medium quality. Nevertheless, the greatest ambition 

 of even the smallest farmer is always to extend his holding 

 by dint of hard work and economy. It was at a time when 

 the Feltre farmers were gradually falling into the clutches of 

 money-lenders that the Society was formed with a capital of 

 ;^94, divided into shares oi £2 and £^ each. There are five 

 classes of members, all with equal rights and duties, but the 

 subscriptions are proportional to the resources of each 

 member. Accordingly, whilst the membership amounted to 

 1,218 in 1896, only 31 paid the full subscription of one franc 

 per month, 6 members paid half a franc, 1 5 paid 2 5 centimes, 

 67 paid 20 centimes, whilst no less than 1,099 members paid 

 the minimum subscription of 10 centimes, or a penny per 

 month. 



The work of co-operation and mutual help, which are 

 the raison d'etre of the Society, comprises a sick-fund, a 

 department for advancing small loans, one for sup- 

 plying maize, and a co-operative store for general articles 

 of food. In case of temporary sickness, payments are 



Q 



