196 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



THIED DAY. 



The morning session of the third day of the winter meet- 

 ing was opened on Thursday, December 5, at 9.45, Mr. 

 Cruickshanks occupying the chair. 



The Chairman. We had yesterday addresses from able 

 gentlemen on the subject of the "Economical Feeding of 

 Dairy Stock," and the " Grading-up of Dairy Stock." 

 These lectures gave valuable information on the production 

 of milk. There are a great many dairies where it is some- 

 thing of a problem to know what to do with the product. 

 We are to have before us this morning the " Economic Dis- 

 position of Milk," — following right in the same line. I 

 have the pleasure of introducing to you Mr. Gilbert of North 

 Greene, Me., Secretary of the INIaine State Board of Agri- 

 culture, who will now address you. 



ECONOMIC DISPOSITION OF MILK. 



BY Z. A. GILBERT OF NORTH GREENE, ME. 



The consumption of milk in its natural form in all cities 

 and large towns commands the chief use of lands in the 

 immediate vicinity of the consumption. This conforms to a 

 law found everywhere associated with the business world. 

 Every line of industry seeks a location where are to be 

 found special facilities for carrying on its work ; that the cost 

 may be reduced to the minimum, a margin of protit be pro- 

 vided for the operator, and at the same time the product be 

 placed on the market or before consumers at the lowest cost 

 consistent with controlling conditions. In the milk business, 

 next to production, the cost of transportation and delivery 

 comes in as the principal factor. In obedience to this bus- 

 iness law, milk })roduction has taken possession of the 

 nearest land available to its use. Hence the situation is as 

 we find it. Farms near the cities are milk farms, and these 



