DAIRY MEETING. 155 



It is not my purpose, however, to discuss ]\Iaine conditions 

 today, but to talk with you for a few moments regarding the 

 dairy products of our country as a whole. The State of Maine 

 has so many advantages over other states in the Union that I 

 am always very glad to mention them. I am satisfied that the 

 quality of dairy products sent from the farms in Maine to the 

 creameries is superior to that delivered to the creameries in any 

 other state, which is perhaps the greatest advantage of all. A 

 little later I will touch that proposition and explain why it is so. 

 The country as a whole has increased in the number of cows 

 in the last ten years three and one-half million. We hear it said 

 very often that dairying is not improving, that it is not increas- 

 ing, but the fact that we have made an increase of 21 per cent 

 in the number of cows in ten years indicates that in some parts 

 of the country they are becoming more and more interested in 

 dairying. The census of 1900 showed, I believe, that about 42 

 per cent of the value of the dairy product sold was consumed 

 in the form of milk and cream. We haven't any figures in this 

 line for 1910 available at the present time, but there is no doubt 

 that the amount of milk and cream consumed has increased, 

 and I think it is safe to say that the quality of the milk sold for 

 direct consumption in the various states in this country has 

 im.proved. There has been a general agitation along this line 

 and although producers very often feel that they have been 

 placed at a disadvantage, that they have been required to do 

 certain things in order to have their milk pass inspection for 

 which they are not getting pay, there is no doubt that improve- 

 ment has been secured to the benefit of both producer and con- 

 sumer. I agree with .Commissioner Buckley who has said that 

 the people must demand this better quality of milk and be willing 

 to pay for it. I personally beheve that we should have clean, 

 wholesome milk, free from disease germs, and produced under 

 sanitary conditions, and that consumers should not question a 

 reasonable charge for the same, but we know that a great deal 

 of milk produced heretofore has not been produced under those 

 conditions. We really did not know better, but we are finding 

 it out and improving. I am glad to see that there is a general 

 uprising in this line and I believe we shall get a public senti- 

 ment aroused that will require more sanitary conditions and 

 that the public will be willing to pay a reasonable price for the 

 product when they can be assured of its quality and healthful- 



