No. 4.] REPORT OF DAIRY BUREAU. 



409 



annoyed at the interference, and looks upon the inspector 

 as his natural enemy. This should not be so. The milk 

 laws not only insure the consumer an article of higher 

 quality than he would get were it not for them, but, as said 

 before, they help business by keeping a large amount of low- 

 grade and adulterated milk off the market. 



The condition of the Boston milk market has been much 

 healthier than for several years past, as supplies have 

 decreased and consumption has increased. This has re- 

 duced the burdensome surplus ; for three months of the 

 year it was so small that the wholesalers paid full price for 

 all milk received by them. The advancing price of butter 

 has increased the butter value of milk, so that the dimin- 

 ishing surplus has brought a better price, and this has in- 

 creased the average return per can. 



The following table gives the receipts, sales and surplus 

 of railroad milk, in 8^ quart cans, brought into the greater 

 Boston, as reported by the contractors' association : — 



