THE SPRINGFIELD MILKSHED 9 



(Connecticut)-Longmeado\v (Massachusetts) section, the density of produc- 

 tion for the Springfield Market as measured by daily deliveries was 181 pounds 

 per square mile. In Area 3, the Stafford-Stafford Springs (Connecticut)-Munson- 

 Wales (Massachusetts) section, the density was 34 pounds per square mile. These 

 differences can be largely attributed to differences in natural conditions, mainly 

 the soil. 



It is interesting to compare the production per square mile in the overlapping 

 parts of the milkshed for the larger markets. 



Table 7. — Density of Production in the Overl.a.pping Parts of the Milk- 

 sheds Supplying the Larger Markets, 1935 



Production per Average Daily Deliveries Area 



Section of the Square Mile per in 



Milkshed per Day Section Square Miles 



Northwest* 218 62,708 287 



Northeast** 262 44,724 171 



South*** 337 70,013 208 



*The sum of Areas 10, 11, and Shelburne Falls. 

 **The sum of Areas 4, 6, and Worcester. 

 ***The sum of Areas 1, 2, and Hartford. 



The parts of the milkshed are probably better related to each other. This 

 comparison probabh' reflects more accurately the relative importance of the 

 several sections of the milkshed from the standpoint of production. 



Premium Milk 



It is not without consideration for accepted practices that a slightly uncommon 

 definition of premium milk is used herein. Many producers and consumers alike 

 believe and have believed that fat (cream) content was the determinant of quality. 

 So far as this study is concerned, resort is made to a less debatable characteristic. 

 "Premium Milk" is that product which commands a price differential on some 

 basis other than butterfat. Some of these bases are bacteria count, vitamin 

 content, medical supervision, advertising, dealer preference, etc. 



Relative Importance Throughout the Milkshed 



The number of shippers^ of premium milk was fairly large. Practically 13 

 percent of all full-time sellers were in this class. The bulk of them, however, 

 sold to dealers outside the Springfield-Holyoke-Chicopee market. 



Table 8. — Shippers of Premium Milk 



Number 

 Market of Shippers 



Shelburne Falls 220 



Springfield-Holyoke-Chicopee 19 



Total 239 



Percent of All Full-time 12.9 



^Full Time. 



