COMMENTS ON CO-OPERATION 209 



and sell retail, of course his prices are larger ; but then 

 he must allow for his expenses, risk of dishonesty on 

 the part of employes, and trouble. In many, if not in 

 most cases, however, no such market is available, the 

 local demand being insufficient. 



It may be answered that he should distribute his 

 own milk in the cities. I have a friend who does this 

 in a large town by means of a shop, and after a long 

 struggle makes it pay. But the difficulties that he 

 went through first were very great, not only from com- 

 petition but also because of the servants in rich houses 

 who often insist upon receiving commissions, and if 

 these are not forthcoming, will complain of the milk 

 and be careful that their complaints are verified by 

 its taste and appearance. 



Moreover, only large producers can start a shop 

 of their own. If the rest of us desire to distribute 

 in the cities we must take a leaf from the Danish 

 book and co-operate. But this, as a rule, we cannot 

 or will not do. 



Here it may be convenient to treat of the 

 difference between the price paid in England to the 

 producer and the price paid by the consumer in 

 London. From September 29th to December 25th, 

 under my contract I receive is. 8d. per barn gallon 

 of 16 pints, or including the gratis pint, of 17 pints. 

 From December 25th to March 25th I receive 

 is. 7^d. From March 25th to June 24th I receive 

 is. id., and from June 24th to September 29th I 

 receive is. 3d. This averaged over the year brings 

 my sale price to is. 5d., or deducting carriage, to a 

 shade under is. 3d. net. 



Now according to the price-list of a very large 

 dairy in London which I have before me, new milk is 



o 



