This study develops two simple measures of distribution efficiency, 

 namely, man hours and truck miles per unit of milk delivered. These data 

 were obtained from dealers in four Merrimack Valley markets and the study 

 compares efficiency between markets and within markets for the years 1941, 

 1945, and 1951. The findings show declines in efficiency since 1945, when 

 delivery every other day was introduced, in most of the markets. The major 

 objective of the study, however, is to provide comparative guides for ex- 

 amination of delivery operations both market wide and individually. More 

 detailed study of specific cases can then be made in an attempt to improve 

 the net income of operating firms within the industry . 



J. R. Bowring. J. C. Holmes 



Handling Purchased Grain at the Farm. 



Preliminary observations were made on a limited number of poultn 

 and dairy farms to obtain information concerning methods and labor in- 

 volved in handling, storing, and feeding purchased grain. The data obtained 

 indicate large variations in the time and effort spent on grain handling. 



Most dairymen and poultrymen store and handle grain in 100 lb. bags. 

 but a few were found who store and handle grain in bulk. On dairy fanns 

 the usual position of bulk grain bins was on the floor above the cows with 

 an outlet available to fill the grain cart in the feed alley floor. 



Several poultrymen had no mechanical means of elevating grain to the 

 second and third floor. In one case the grain was stored in bags on the first 

 floor and carried up a flight of stairs as needed. In several cases the burden 

 of delivering grain to the second and third floors was put on the grain dealer. 

 On one farm several tons a week had to be thrown up by two men from the 

 truck to the second floor. The grain dealer was obligated to send an extra 

 man on the delivery truck. 



Only two poultrymen visited were receiving grain b\ bulk delivery. In 

 one building on a side hill, grain was delivered to a bulk bin on the third 

 floor and was available through spouts to outlets on all floors. One operator 

 purchases grain in 100-lb. bags, elevates 10 bags at a time with hay sling 

 ropes, and empties the bags into a bulk bin at the top of the barn. Grain was 

 then available on all floors and all pens by gravity feed. 



Approximately 15,000 lbs. of grain (150-lb. and 100-lb. bags) are 

 required per week to supply 8,000 layers in a large poultry house. Under 

 conditions in several farms, the 100-lb. bags are handled several times in 

 the process of transfer from truck to storage and from storage to feeding. The 

 handling of grain in 100-lb. bags may be fairly efficient on some farms on 

 the basis of man hours, but it is a real hardship to a large proportion of the 

 workers employed on poultry farms. 



H. C. WOODWORTH 



Management Adjustments in Potato Production. 



The 1920 Census of Agriculture for New England reported 16,152 

 farms harvesting 1.342,000 bushels of potatoes on 13,334 acres. The corres- 

 ponding figures in 1950 were 5,161 farms harvesting 1,125,000 bushels on 

 4,214 acres. (Census figures are for the preceding crop year in each case.) 

 Thus, bushels harvested had been nearly maintained while the number of 

 farms and acres growing potatoes had declined by nearh two-thirds. 



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