iSfo. 4.] REPORT OF DAIRY BUREAU. 279 



standard price for that between 3.G and 4 per cent butter fat ; 

 for milk testing above 4 percent and not above 4.2 per cent, 

 1 cent extra per can is paid ; for milk testing above 4.2 per 

 cent and not above 4.4 per cent, 2 cents, and above 4.4 per 

 cent, 3 cents. If milk falls below 3.6, the price is decreased 

 relatively ; and if below 3 per cent, is not accepted. Another 

 of the smaller firms buys a part of its supply on the butter- 

 fat basis, paying a premium for all over 4 per cent fat. 



The milk in southwestern Massachusetts is shipped to the 

 New York market. The system of payment on part of the 

 Willow Brook Dairy at Sheffield, for example, is the New 

 York exchange price ; at present writing, December, 4 cents 

 per quart, subject to change at any time, but is based upon 

 4.2 per cent butter fat, 2% cents being added to or sub- 

 tracted from the price of a 40-quart can for each one-tenth 

 above or below. In West Stockbridge the F. D. Shove 

 Milk Factory pays by the hundred weight. This winter's 

 price is as follows: October, $1.80; November, December, 

 January and February, $2; and March, $1.80 per hundred 

 weight. 



The retail price in many of the cities and towns in the 

 Commonwealth has been increased approximately 1 cent per 

 quart over that of the winter of 1906. In some cases the 

 consumption fell off temporarily, but it is believed that it is 

 now rising towards normal. The producers supplying milk 

 to such cities and towns have in the main received an ad- 

 vance in price, the price to the producer as a rule having 

 been advanced about 1/2 cent per quart over that of last win- 

 ter. This has given the producers near Boston about 5 

 cents at the form on the average, those more remote 4*,£ 

 cents, while in the western part of the State about 4 cents 

 per quart is the prevailing winter price. 



Forty-four samples of milk were taken at Barre Plains in 

 November from the firm of C. Brigham Company, just as it 

 was received from the farmers. For results of analyses and 

 refractometer tests, see page 282. 



One interesting case of adulterated milk was procured in 

 another locality. A sample was taken from a peddler, and 

 found to be wrong. Upon being notified of the result this 



