WOMEN CO-OPERATIVE FARMERS.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR...]
Sin,—Following upon the interesting article which appeared in your issue of April 26th, entitled, "Eggs, Co-operation and the Future," it may interest some of your readers to hear of a colony of women farmers recently started near Heath field, Sussex. The value of co-operation, which means, as Mr. Ewart so clearly points out, not only the collective possession of the means to produce, and of the collective disposal of the pro- duce itself, but also the technical combination between the specialized branches, has been recognized by this pioneer colony of " Women Co-operative Farmers." Although the land was only acquired by the company last October, nine small-holders have already been started, and four pupils are being trained on that part of the land which is being developed by the company for demonstration .purposes. Small-holdings can be rented with fixity of tenure, a certain number of bungalows have been and are being erected, and accommoda- tion is also offered in the farmhouse for those women who require only a small portion of land. Implements and labour can be hired, and all goods can be bought and sold through the society if desired. It is hoped that this colony will only be the beginning of a series of similar colonies throughout the country, which will encourage on co-operative lines the inten- sive cultivation of the land.—I am, Sir, &c., Heathfield, Sussex.
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