DISCRIMINATION IN RAILROAD RATES. 35 



is too true, brother-farmers of New England, that unless 

 we adopt the improvements of the day, and look carefully 

 after our interests, we shall be left entirely in the back- 

 ground as to quality of the product and to profit. With the 

 use of refrigerating cars, and the advantage which they have 

 over us as to railroad rates, they are enabled to lay down 

 their product in the Eastern market in better condition than 

 we can, and in direct competition with our own. 



Advantage, I say, as to railroad-rates ; for I learn that it 

 is the fact, that, in some instances, butter is transported for 

 twenty-five per cent less rates the distance of a thousand 

 miles than for two or three hundred miles. 



This matter of railroad-freights on through lines, acting 

 against the interest of the farmers of the East, is worthy of 

 our consideration. In very many cases, towns and individu- 

 als have rendered large pecuniary assistance for the purpose 

 of constructing these roads, with the practical result to make 

 the Eastern farmers' produce of less value than if there were 

 no railroads. The farmer in Illinois is able to lay down his 

 produce in Boston market at the same cost for transporta- 

 tion as the farmer in Franklin County, or less. Instances 

 can be furnished without number where the low rates of 

 through freight operate in this way. 



But why is it that creamery butter brings a better price ? 

 We are told that it is because of its uniformity in quality. 

 The butter is made from day to day, from week to week, 

 under the same conditions, and always free from any thing 

 that would impart unpleasant flavors. Milk set in a farmer's 

 kitchen, or in any place where it will absorb odors from 

 cooking vegetables, from tobacco-smoke, or from clothing 

 fully charged with the odor of the stable, cannot make butter 

 free from unpleasant flavors. 



We complain of low prices received, when we ourselves 

 are to blame. The flavor of the butter is. affected by the 

 feed and care of the cow. We lay the blame at the door of 

 the dairy-woman, when he who feeds and cares for the cow 

 is responsible. 



We are repeatedly told that there is no danger of over- 

 stocking the market with a prime article ; that the supply of 

 first-class butter is less than the demand. The consumer is 

 ready and willing to pay an extra price for that which suits 



