No. 4.] MARKET MILK. 109 



time to test the milk with the Babcock milk tester and weigh 

 the milk also, so an approximately correct idea may be formed 

 as to the profitableness of the cows. It is a well-known fact 

 that the people who have made such tests individually have 

 been surprised at the results. They find that they have cows 

 that pay a good profit, and some that barely pay expenses, 

 and others that are boarders. It brings about an economical 

 method of discarding the poorer cows by showing the owner 

 what those cows are, and it naturally follows that such cows 

 will be discarded. It seems to me it is a matter of mission- 

 ary work. Professor Hills said he had been hammering on 

 this question for two years, and he had accomplished but 

 little. It seems to me the best results can be obtained through 

 some live, active person in dairy localities taking up the work 

 and establishing these local associations. I don't believe any- 

 thing will come out of it unless something like that is done. 

 I think in the western part of this State the creamery asso- 

 ciations should take up the matter, and that through them 

 something can be done. I am certainly heartily in favor of 

 the project, and believe that it should receive the indorsement 

 of this Board. 



While I am up I want to say something about the present 

 milk situation in Massachusetts. It is exceedingly important 

 that this whole question be brought to an early solution, — 

 the production of clean milk, and the handling of it in a way 

 that is satisfactory to everybody. We don't like to admit it, 

 but in my judgment the milk-producing industry in Massa- 

 chusetts has not been reasonably profitable for some years, and 

 this can be abundantly proven. When it is said, " We want 

 clean milk ; we want the milk delivered in Boston for the 

 babies in just as good condition as it can be delivered back 

 in the country towns," it opens a great question. It involves 

 heavy expense, and that expense is met by people who have 

 been producing milk at cost or less. Is it any wonder that 

 the farmers are sensitive when they are asked to increase 

 their expenditures in making this milk ? The bottom trouble 

 of the whole situation is the price of milk; and if Boston 

 wants good milk, she must pay for good milk; and that is 

 true of every city in this Commonwealth. I believe there is 



