The Future of British Agriculture.
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Interesting Programme of the Agricultural Organisation Society.
The attention of the motoring world has been drawn to the work of the Agricultural Organisation Society, whose offices are at Dacre House, Deere Street, Westminster, S.W., by the successful working of two Straker steam motor wagons for the Brandsby Dairy and Trading Association, one of the /20 societies which are now affiliated to the parent body. These wagons have been carrying agricultural produce, and other materials. between Tollerton Station, on the N.E. Railway, and Brandsby, a distance of / /1 miles, since October last, and they promise to be the forerunners of many similar undertakings. The progress of the Agricultural Organisation Society since the year 1901 has been very marked. In that year the number of affiliated societies was 23, in row the number had increased to 40, in 1903 to 73, and at December 31st, 1904, to so6. The various branch bodies are distributed through3.3 counties, with one Scotch branch in Kirkcudbrightshire. From the last annual report, it appears that the guiding rule is to start from small beginnings, and steadily to build up the scale of dealing, which is certainly a sound policy. Under the control of Mr. J. Nugent Harris, the secretary, the central organisation in London has drawn up an excellent series of forms and circulars, whereby branch societies are thoroughly well guided in their proceedings to enable their members to purchase supplies at wholesale prices, and successfully to carry out direct bulk dealings with purchasers. The feeling of secrecy and jealousy which is characteristic of British farmers is gradually being overcome, and the early signs of an unwillingness to co-operate are disappearing. The society has been happy in its methods of sending home to agriculturalists the essential necessity, and the great importance to them, of buying on the best terms, and that the first step towards selling in the best market is to group their products so as to secure favourable railway rates. There is every indication that the natural outcome of this procedure will be a recognition of the fact that the motor vehicle can usefully supplement other methods of road conveyance : in some cases to feed the railways, and in others for direct conveyance to the centres of consumption. Following on the experience of the Brandsby service, the directors of the G.W. Railway have assented to put in force a similar service in the Teme Valley, and the Teme Valley Agricultural Organisation Association has been registered to perform its side of the work in respect of the collection of produce. The secretary of this society is Mr. E. T. Leaccsck, and his address is Manor House, Bevvdley, Worcestershire, One interesting feature of the work of the, parent society is the organisation of agricultural credit societies, which have been decidedly beneficial in their operations. Advances are made at the reasonable rate of 6 per cent. per annum, and the evident early reluctance of members to take out loans is being rapidly got over, as it is becoming recognised that these societies are worked upon business and not upon charity lines ; in fact, it is reported that the granting of a loan is as good as a certificate of trustworthiness and ificlustry to any farmer. In its bearing upon the supply of motor vehicles, it is probable that this credit system may be elaborated to cover much larger amounts than have hitherto been found necessary, although, the principle of combination having been recognised by farmers, and its now giving proof of rapid development, there appears every likelihood that ten farmers will be found—in any district—who will be prepared to put up L:45 or .Z•50 each to purchase the necessary mechanical plant to take their produce the intervening trip of so or 12 miles, and to bring back feeding stuffs, manures, building material, fuel, seed, or other traffic to the farms. When it is remembered that this country imports dairy produce, butter, cheese, condensed milk, eggs, fruit and vegetables, to an annual value exceeding 8o millions sterling, the great social and economic advantage of a development of home production cannot be magnified. The benefits must extend not only to our railways and motor vehicle manufacturers, but, most welcome of all, to the landowner, the agriculturalist, the farmer, and the labourer. It consequently appears to us a legitimate opportunity to advance the claims of the Agricultural Organisation Society for support, and we commend to our readers the merits of its work in the hope that some at least will become subscribers to its funds so as to help forward both the propagandist and administrative sides of its most useful work for the good of the nation.
The Terne Valley service, which is the most recent development, will be started a fortnight hence by the introduction of a 5-ton Yorkshire wagon, whilst the G.W. Railway will probably keep in reserve a small tractor for extra work. At a public dinner held in October last Mr. Alfred Baldwin,.
M.P., chairman of the G.W. Railway, directed the attention of the Teme Valley farmers to the work of the Agricultural Organisation Association, and this was followed by a further meeting when particulars of the traffic available had beers collected. The service, as announced in our issue of May rith, will work between Henwick station and Stamford Bridge, a distance of IQ miles, for which journey the rate will be 5s. 6d. per ton. Intermediate depots have been arranged at Marbley (61 miles), for which the rate will be 4s. per ton ; Ham Bridge (81 miles), rate 45. 6d. per ton ; and Shelsley (gq. miles), rate 5s. per ton. All these rates are for parcels of one ton and upwards, smaller consignments being accepted for conveyance at the rate of 6d. per cwt. The committee of management is composed of farmers and traders in the district, and the fact that the G.W. Railway has provided the capital for the motors, as in the case of the N.E. Railway for the Brandsby service, is proof that there are many directions where no call for capital will be made on the farmers themselves as regards transport.