278 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Milk. 



The summer price of milk for the Boston market was 

 raised to 28^2 cents per can (where the cans were returned 

 clean by the contractors) in the 9-cent or so-called average 

 zone. This was an increase of 2^ cents per can over the 

 price paid in 100(3, when it was 2(3 cents, making the 1907 

 summer price per quart to producers at railroad station 

 3.35-}- cents. The winter price was raised to 35^ cents 

 per can (clean cans), which was 6 cents more than was paid 

 in the winter of 1906-07, and 7 cents increase over the sum- 

 mer price of 281/2 cents, making the 1907-08 winter price 

 per quart to the producer at railroad station 4.17-J- cents. 

 One-half cent more per can is paid where farmers wash their 

 own cans. 



The difference between the net Boston price of milk and 

 the price paid the producer at the railroad station depends 

 upon the distance from Boston, and the discounts from the 

 Boston price arc as follows : — 



Cents. 



For stations between 17 and 23 miles, ..... 6 



For stations between 23 and 36 miles, ..... 7 



For stations between 36 and 56 miles, ..... 8 



For stations between 56 and 76 miles, ..... 9 



This last is called the middle or average zone, although it 

 is undoubtedly inside the average. The zones beyond 76 

 miles are 20 miles wide, and 1 cent per can additional is de- 

 ducted in each of these zones as the distance increases. The 

 payment for milk on part of a majority of the larger con- 

 tractors is governed by the so-called Knapp tables. The 

 object of this system is to secure even production, and still 

 allow a producer to increase or decrease his business by 

 asking at the beginning of the six months for the rating he 

 desires. AVe have thought best to publish a sample sheet of 

 these tables, that the public may have a better knowledge 

 of the system. 1 One of the contractors pays on a different 

 basis, paying 2 cents per can less for unrestricted production. 

 Another one of the smaller contractors buys milk paying a 



i See pages 280, 281. 



