158 THE BUTTER INDUSTRY IN UNITED STATES [382 



its exports have also decreased from 34,000,000 pounds in 

 1902 to 4,000,000 pounds in 1910. In 191 1, the amount 

 was a little more than twice that of the previous year. 1 The 

 principal reason for the decrease in the export trade is 

 the increased production of butter in some of the other 

 countries and the prevailing high prices in this country. 

 Siberia is producing more butter, and, like Sweden, is ship- 

 ping its products through Denmark 2 in order that it may be 

 exported from the country that enjoys the highest reputa- 

 tion for good butter. Australia has also been shipping to 

 European ports. This increased supply has had the effect 

 of lowering prices. But in this country, prior to October 

 4, 19 1 3, there was a duty of 6c. a pound on butter and at 

 the same time there has been a growing demand. During 

 recent years therefore high prices have prevailed in the 

 United States which make it unprofitable to export. The 

 butter that has been exported in recent years was usually of 

 the poorer grades and ordinarily in the summer time when 

 prices were at the lowest point. 



The efficacy of the market organization in moving butter 

 to points of high prices is illustrated by the events of 1905 : 



Within two weeks the line of values on table goods had 

 fallen 10c. The best fresh creamery sold at 25c. On sober 

 thought, however, it was seen that this break was wholly un- 

 warranted. Stocks of old goods were fairly well cleared, and 

 despite the fact that the entire country was scraped as with a 

 fine-tooth comb for supplies, our market was soon bare of stock. 

 About fifty car loads of the previous summer's make that were 

 held in San Francisco were brought here as speedily as possible, 



1 Figures taken from United States Agricultural Yearbook for 1907 

 and 1912. 



2 Agricultural Yearbook, 1903, p. 482. 



