8 BULLETIN 860, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
application to the agricultural college of the State or to the Bureau 
of Markets, United States Department of Agriculture. In a num- 
ber of States there are farmers" grain dealers associations whose 
secretaries are in a position to furnish valuable assistance. 
At or following these meetings, or in lieu of them, where it is 
found desirable to conduct the preliminary survey quietly, a tenta- 
tive subscription list may be circulated on which is shown the 
names of prospective members, the amount of capital which each 
prospective member thinks he can subscribe, and a conservative 
estimate in bushels of the grain which he markets annually. 
It may seem to be a duplication of effort to secure this tentative 
list of subscribers, and there may be conditions under which it will 
be desirable to eliminate it. In any event a list of prospective mem- 
bers, with an estimate of the capital and patronage to be furnished 
by each, should be prepared in some form. This list may be used to 
advantage as a basis for study and apportionment when later the 
actual capital subscriptions are solicited. 
The preliminary survey may be made by committees appointed 
at the first general meeting or by persons interested in the project. 
If it is impracticable to secure actual signatures to the tentative sub- 
scription list, then a list should be prepared in memorandum form, 
from the best information available and with the assistance of some 
one having an extensive acquaintance and knowledge of persons and 
property in the community. 
"When the survey of local conditions and prospective membership, 
capital, and patronage has been completed, it will be desirable to de- 
termine in a general way the character and cost of the plant and 
equipment necessary to handle the business. Again, the advice of 
other associations in successful operation will be valuable. Contrac- 
tors and builders of elevators will usually furnish estimates and 
sometimes blue prints and plans for elevators of varying capacity. 
Xo intensive study of building plans is necessary at this time. The 
approximate amount of capital required to provide a plant is the 
only purpose of the study. 
ORGANIZATION. 
ORGANIZATION MEETING. 
Assuming that the preliminary survey has shown an economic 
need and a genuine community desire for organization, we are ready 
to consider organization procedure. At this stage it will be neces- 
sary to call a general meeting for the purpose of perfecting a 
temporary organization and appointing the various committees 
nece-sary to carry on the actual work of organization. In case 
former meetings have been held and have been well organized and 
