436 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



the average for recent years. The Boston market is the only 

 one in the State where statistics are kept, and as Boston is 

 the largest city in the State, and as it is the commercial 

 centre of New England, figures from that market have an 

 exceptional interest. 



The Chamber of Commerce figures regarding the butter 

 business in Boston for 1901 and the immediately preceding 

 years are as follows : — 



The above table shows a steadily increasing consumption, 

 barring the year 1899. This was the year when prices im- 

 proved after the depression of three preceding years, and it 

 is possible that the consumers had not adapted themselves to 

 the changing: rates. In connection with these figures one 

 fact must be remembered : with the development of other 

 centres in. New England, and their securing from the rail- 

 roads Boston freight rates, Boston loses its relative suprem- 

 acy as a New England distributing centre ; therefore, these 

 annual figures mean more and more the local consumption. 

 With this fact in mind, the steadily increasing consumption 

 is very gratifying. 



Butter, — Imitation. 

 On a previous page we report 88 court cases for viola- 

 tion of the anti-color law and 125 for violation of the hotel- 

 restaurant law. In the enforcement of these laws there also 

 arose cases of obstruction of an inspector of the Bureau, 

 and 1 of assault and battery on an inspector. This makes 

 222 cases in connection with the oleomargarine — imitation- 



