CO-OPERATION IN DAIRYING. 69 



of making, &c. (two cents and a half per pound) leaves only 

 thirty-three dollars and thirty cents and the whey. If the 

 above figures are correct, they would seem to prove conclu- 

 sively that milk at even two cents and a half per quart for 

 the whole year would give the producer more money than 

 either butter or cheese. We are aware that mairy dairies 

 receive more than thirty cents per pound for butter ; but we 

 also know that many more receive less. 



While every effort should be made to increase the yield of 

 the herd, there is a way by adopting which the price of milk 

 could be legitimately raised, to the great benefit of all con- 

 cerned; that is, the bringing of the producer into direct com- 

 munication with the consumer. How can this be brought 

 about? In two ways; namely, either individually to send 

 the milk direct to market, or enter into an agreement with 

 other parties with similar interests, and accomplish the same 

 object by united efforts. 



The first method has the merit of independence, and can, 

 perhaps, be managed as economically as the last, wdiere large 

 quantities of milk can be made on a farm. The last method 

 is especially adapted to farmers keeping fewer cows, who 

 thus, by united action, are able to stand on the same level as 

 the larger farmers. In this way co-operation would give an 

 opportunity of selling milk, which otherwise would be 

 beyond the reach of many. Co-operative, milk-selling is not 

 a new thing. The Aylesbury Milk Company of England, 

 and the Rockland Milk Company of New York, are good 

 examples of what may be accomplished. 



"It is only by a union of interests and action that the producers 

 of milk can expect to become successful milk-sellers. Already we hear of 

 individual effort acting with insufficient information, and really in com- 

 petition with those who are working under a similar line of policy. It 

 would seem more business-like for such producers as wish to sell their 

 milk direct to city consumers to join some efficient organization, and pull 

 together. In this connection we learn that the United Society of Milk- 

 Sellers, with C. W. Felt of Northborough as manager, is now fairly in 

 operation, and with prospect of a large business. The aim of this society 

 is to sell milk direct from producer to consumer, and to reduce the cost 

 of transportation . ' ' 



At Quakertown, Bucks County, Penn., the dairymen lately 

 became so disgusted with the price of milk sent to milkmen 



