Agricultural Co-operative Credit Societies. 87 
among farmers — and those not of the smallest grade only — is 
certainly, if slowly, spreading ; and the example of our neigh- 
boui'S on the Continent of Europe, especially in Denmark, in 
France, in Germany, and even in Italy is proving a stimulus to 
this particular form of self-help. What isolated agriculturists 
cannot possibly do, in the way of securing the best terms for 
purchase and the best market openings for sale, a group of 
associated persons may. How in a comparatively short time 
producers can succeed in finding markets is well illustrated in 
connection with the local pig trade of East Anglia, quoted 
elsewhere in the columns of this journal. Moreover it seems 
clear whatever else may come of the renewed endeavour to 
multiply small holdings in England, that experience is tending 
to confirm Lord Onslow’s committee in their view of the 
important part co-operation and co-operative credit systems 
may be called upon to play in the effort. Without such aid 
the planting about of small isolated farmex’S to take their 
chance in the struggle which bigger men have found so hard — 
to buy cheaply on the one hand and to sell their pi-oduce 
satisfactorily on the other — is not a very hopeful pi-ospect. 
The convenience also and economy of employing Co-operative 
Allotment and Small Holdings Societies as tenants for areas to be 
converted into small holdings is now made evident. The problem 
of cheaper transport, too, cannot be effectively tackled without 
the combination and loyal co-operation of producers, either 
large or small. The many sided nature of the newly staided 
societies, however, sti-ikes one forcibly on i*eading the analysis 
of local institutions started under the aixspices of the Agricul- 
tural Oi’ganization Society in quite recent yeax’S. Co-operation 
seems applied xxot only, as in two-thirds of the affiliated 
societies, to the supply of agricultixral requiremexits and the 
sale or produce, but to exceptional bodies dealixxg with dairy 
produce, frxxit grading, special rux-al industries, conveyaxice 
of produce, and motor service. More especially attexition may 
be called to the developmexxt of Agricultural Co-operative 
Credit Societies, such as those described in the evidence axxd 
report of the recent Depax-tmental Committee on Small Hold- 
ings, whex-e the typical success of the Scawbj' Credit Society 
in a Lincolnshire village was so clearly shown by Mr. Sutton- 
Nelthox’pe. To the suggestion made ixi that evidence as to the 
useful part which xnight be played by a central co-operative 
bank in financing a network of small local societies, formed 
on the lines of these schemes, effect has beexi given by the 
registration of the Centx’al Co-opex-ative Agricultixral Bank, 
with Mr. R. A. Yerburgh as chairman of the dix’ectox’s. That 
this movement is capable, if wisely directed, to meet a very 
well recogxiised local waxxt is probable ; but those who wish to 
