210 RURAL DENMARK 



sold by it at 40!. per quart, which I believe is the 

 ordinary figure charged in our towns, or at any rate 

 in London. That is to say, the consumer pays 

 2s. iod. for the 17 pints of milk, for which I, the pro- 

 ducer, receive a little under is. 3d. Or in other 

 words, a difference of considerably over 1 20 per cent, 

 finds its way into certain intermediate pockets. 



What net profit this represents to the British 

 middlemen I cannot say. 1 This may be large or small, 

 but I must remark that the Copenhagen Milk-supply 

 Company can supply a litre of special milk (that is 

 if pints) for 2d., and still earn a handsome profit. At 

 any rate it is clear that under any proper system of 

 co-operation the balance of this 120 per cent., after 

 deduction of the necessary cost of distribution, what- 

 ever that may be, and all other expenses, might and 

 would find its way into the pocket of the producer. 



And yet we British milk-farmers do not co- 

 operate. Rather than work with our fellows and 

 flourish, as I believe we well might do, we prefer to 

 bear all the risk and cost of milk production, at best a 

 harassing and uncertain business, and receive in return 

 but a trifling profit. 2 In most other trades this would 



1 I see in Mr. Christopher Tumor's most interesting book, " Land 

 Problems," which I have just read, the following statement : " In Den- 

 mark the work of distribution (of milk) is done for 30 per cent, of the 

 original cost, and this includes the profits of the milk company as well " 

 (p. 89). There is a considerable contrast between 30 per cent, and 

 120 per cent, or even 100 per cent. If Mr. Turnor is right, and Danish 

 distributors can afford to sell at the former price, the difference in the 

 charges is difficult to understand. H. R. H., February 191 1. 



* " A serious problem which producers declare can be met only by a 

 rise in the price of milk. A meeting of dairy farmers was held at Bristol 

 recently with the object of securing higher wholesale prices, and the 

 prevailing opinion was that unless this can be obtained many will have 

 to relinquish the business." Agricultural article^ " The Times" Feb. 6, 

 1911. 



