The chronicle=news., 1913-07-15
AvsnliAk FARMING 3
METHODS viewed BY
.. 5. COMMISSION

cipaJ agricultural association OF tue
country the Austrian farmers possoss
an osxanixation which maintains n
coaofant aud Intimate touch between
themselves and the Ministry OF Axri-
culturc.. Details Of tbe organization
wsse explained to the members OF the
American Commission on AEricuit-
ural co-operaticn during their stay
here. and msny OF the Americans be-
iiev. that The United States Depart
meat of ASFlcul; urc and the Ameri-
csn farmers might consider benefits
of this system.
Tho association which thus con-
meets the farmers directly. with the
Government II the Royal and Imper-
ial Agricultural Society OF cicnna.
All Of the local agricultural societies
OF tho small communities arc affil-
lated with the central society.
Throuxh = systcm Of general assem-
bliex held for members Of the war
ious affiliated societies an executive
cOmmittce is elected to carry on the
affairs OF the central society. Tho
Government Is given representation
upon this committee aud the society
enjoys subsidies for certain classes Of
work from the government.
Although the plan Of government
support and even OF direct leader
ship In agricultural affairs Ia Ms
thoroughly accepted In Austria as In
other European countries. this semi
official society carries on work
which no American would consider
within the province OF tho Dcpart-
ment Of Agriculture. Undoubtedly
the strong representation OF individ-
ual interests In the society enables u
to do Its work with greater freedom
than would be possible for depart
msnt OF the government. For In
rtanee. ehis society studies the qucs-
tIon Of cost Of production Of aEricuit-
urai products and based upon this
data makes direct rccommcndnti Ions
Of = scmi-officiai charactcd to tho
Government regarding the tariff to
be fixed upon agricultural products.
II protects the rights Of the farmers
In legal matters. aud even works to
secure him \ fair freight charge Oh
shipments Of his produce to market.
Wstk oe tAis character could hard
iy be carried ON by department OF
the government. Al the same time
tho society carries on m experiment
tai work for the bcttcrmcnt OF nEr!-
cultural methods and breeding OF eat
tlc1. distributes farm literature.
furnishes expert advice TO farmers
and does many other things which
In the United States are carried on
directly by the Government. David
Lubin. delegate OF the United States
to the International Institute OF Az
riculturc at Rome. believes that
through such q society the govern
mcnt can he kept In closer touch
with the work OF the farmers than II
could be when II depends solely upon
. department of the government
Such an organization. he believes.
could be formed to serve as con-
Meeting link between the Government
and Important agricultural societies
which directly represent the individ-
uai farmer. II would prove. he be-
lievcs. Il great force In the propagan-
dist work necessary to spread Coop
eration among American agricultur-
lists.
Work Of the Royal and Imperial
Horticultural Society of Vienna.
which proved Of greatest Interest u
the Americans. was the method OF
farm bookkeeping. The greater part
Iof the administrative work OF the
Soeicty is carried an by the General
lSccretariat.
Undoubtedly the Austrian farmers
have determined Just where they
stand. In every community a repre-
SENTATIVE number Of farms are chos-
en- and the owners Of these farms are
instructed In simple system OF ac-
counts which are turned In every
week to the central society In Vien-
ma. When farm Is listed In the
bookkeeping department for the re-
turr Of these accounts. an inventory
Is taken by an expert Of the plant
1operatcd by the farmer. Thus 1t is
known at the start Just what tho
farmers Investment has been and his
returns are figured upon this basis.
Weekly reports are sent to the society
showing the progress OF the various
lcrops together with statements Of
cost OF material, labor. etc. Every
thing Is subdlvided according to crop
|or according 10 the stock raised. In
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