102 THE LURE OF THE LAND 



tion. If well pasteurized it might keep even longer 

 than this. In such conditions the sending of a package 

 of cream by parcel post to a family of somewhat large 

 size would be commercially practical. 



The package of course would not be used again, and 

 that seems to be the unfortunate part of it. Even if 

 it were a permanent package, the return would 

 cost a great deal, because the initial price for the 

 first pound by the parcel post is quite high com- 

 pared with the prices for larger weights. In shipping 

 cream by parcel post, also, a very concentrated article 

 would be produced, known as double cream, containing 

 about forty per cent, of butter-fat. The production 

 of such cream with a good centrifugal separator is 

 easily accomplished. One pound of this kind of cream 

 would therefore be equal to two pounds of ordinary 

 twenty per cent, cream. The sending of butter, of 

 course, by parcel post is a much simpler proposition. 

 The package itself could be cheaper, and the keeping 

 quality of the product is such that a family could easily 

 take five pounds at a time and have practically fresh 

 butter every week. Even certified milk, in a suitable 

 container, might be sent by parcel post. 



EABLY SUCCESS NOT EXPECTED. 



The success of the parcel post as a means of com- 

 munication between producer and consumer cannot be 

 expected to be very brilliant at the start. There are 

 many incident problems which can only be worked out 

 in the light of practical experience. Postmaster Gen- 

 eral Burleson is very much in earnest in making the 

 parcel post an efficient means of communication be- 

 tween farmer and consumer. In this effort he should 

 have the undivided support of all citizens, except those 



