COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURE IN FLORIDA


of dividend or interest on stock. Next come the em-
ployes and customers. The employes get a certain per-
cent pro rata, based on the earnings of each. The re-
mainder goes back to those furnishing the business. If
it is a mercantile business the refund goes to the pur-
chaser of goods in proportion to value of purchases by
members. Outside customers get the same rebate as
members, which may be credits till they amount to a
share, and then a share may be issued, which may then
make the outside customer a member. If it is a selling
association, commissions are charged to cover expenses
and a reserve; when this has reached a specified standard
the profits are returned to those buying the supplies, to
each according to the profits yielded by his purchases.

 In the control, it is usually one man- one vote re-
gardless of the number of shares owned. In a few In-
stances the members vote according to the volume of
business furnished-so much business counting a vote.
The same principles apply whether the articles handled
are eggs, poultry, livestock, dairy products, fruit, vege-
tables, wheat, cotton or what not. Farmers' Exchanges
never deal in futures subject to settlement by forfeiture
of margins.

 Below we give m definite form the difference between
the relationship that exists between the stockholders, the
employes, and the public when applied to the ordinary
corporation and that relationship when applied to the
genuinely cooperative corporation.

 NON-COOPERATIVE CORPORATIONS

 There are five fundamental characteristics of non-
cooperative corporations:
 1. Organized and operated for profit to the promoters
and stockholders.
 2. Grant each share a vote, or limit all voting to a