112 REPORT ON COOPERATION IN AMERICAN EXPORT TRADE.

various concerns.. The union fixes the price at which the casein is
sold, and endeavors to secure uniformity in quality so that the entire
 production will be of the best grade. One grade and one price
is the aim of the organization. If, however, it is found necessary to
grade, sort, or mix the casein’ the administrative council must provide
 the necessary installations and arrange for such grading, sorting,
 or mixing in such a way that the best results will be obtained.
It is impossible to state just what proportion of the dairies of the
region are members of the Association Centrale des Laiteries Coopsratives
 des Charentes et du Poitou. In the Charente-Inférieure and
the Deux Sévres the proportion is very great. In the other Departments
 it is inconsiderable. The association produces annually some
10,000 to 12,000 tons of butter. The wholesale price of milk varies
according to season and place from 12 francs ($2.36) to 18 francs
($3.47) a hectoliter (26.417 gallons). .
There is a dairy school at Surgéres, Deux-Sévres, which is run by
the association, but which receives Government assistance and is
under the control of the ministry of the interior. In normal times
this school has 10 or 12 students. . }
The production of casein by the Union des Caséineries is placed at
1,000 tons annually. The total production for the region is unobtainable,
 but the production of all France is estimated at from 4,500
tons to 5,000 tons. Practically all the casein made in this section
is exported. Some 600 tons goes to the United States each year and
the rest to England. Sixteen casein plants are now members of the
Union des Caséineries. There are competing plants in the region,
but it is impossible to state how many or to give their names. The
Compagnie Internationale des Caséines, 63 Boulevard Malesherbes,
Paris, has a large plant at Taillebourg, Charente-Inférieure, which
is evidently a competing concern, although no definite information
sould be secured to this effect. _ .
The wholesale price of casein varies from 100 francs ($19.30) a
metric quintal (220 pounds) for industrial casein to 150 francs
($28.95) a metric quintal for the alimentary kind.
Industrial casein is used in the manufacture of a product closely
resembling celluloid. The alimentary product is used in preparation
of dietary foods.
Officers of Association Centrale des fajeries Coopéraiives des Charentes et du
tou.
M. Th. Girard, Sénateur, Melle.
Vice presidents:
M. Chauvineau, Soignon.
M. David, société de Saint-Michel-en-1'Herm,
M. Massé, Saint-Jean-de-Liversay.
General secretary:
M. Landriau, société de Saint-Soulle.
Legal counsel:
M. Paul Mercier, rue Vieille-Rose, 13, &amp; Niort.
Administrative council:
»* Dornic, inspecteur régional des Laiteries Coopératives.
, Fonteneau, société de BIléré.
Du Mesnil, société de Mareuil-sur-Lay.
. Lamoureux, société de Saint-Martin-de-la-Coudre.
Dr. Porchaire, société le Souterrain.
Roy Francois, société de Chauvigny,
. Simonneau, société de Surgdres.
.. Tapon, société de Nalliers,
¥. Tardy, société de Saint-Hilaire-1a-Palud.