392 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



price of best cheese has ranged from 9 cents to 12 cents per 

 pound ; and the retail price of old cheese has ranged from 

 19 cente to 20 cents, and new cheese from 10 cents to 16 

 cents per pound. 



In the census of 1885 (manufactures) the product of 

 creamery butter is given as 7,800 pounds, valued at 

 $2,700, and the amount of butter not specified as 189,545 

 pounds. Most of the twenty-seven co-operative creameries 

 (or butter factories) now making butter were established 

 since this census was taken, and returns to this office in Jan- 

 uary last from the twenty-four then in operation gave the 

 amount of butter made in 1889 as 2,193,983 pounds, selling 

 at an average price of about 26 cents per pound, or an 

 aggregate of some $570,000. 



There are also three co-operative milk associations, mak- 

 ing butter from their surplus milk; and in 1889 it is esti- 

 mated that they made some 135,000 pounds. Considerable 

 butter is also made by milk contractors from surplus milk. 

 Probably the amount of butter made on farms has been 

 somewhat lessened by the establishment of co-operative 

 creameries, but it is impossible to state to what extent. 



As illustrative of the condition of the butter market in 

 Boston during the past six months, the following compila- 

 tion from the market reports of the " New England Farmer " 

 is given : — 



May 1. — Butter market remains in good, healthy condition. 

 Arrivals of choice fresh creamery taken as fast as they arrive. 

 It is estimated that last year's business shows 50,000 tubs as an 

 actual surplus over consumption, which was the cause of the great 

 depression in the market which was so marked during January 

 and February. The bulk of this was sold at great loss to the 

 holders. The market reporter of the "Boston Journal" states 

 that the money lost by Bostou butter men during the last twelve 

 months must have been not less than $100,000. Prices quoted : 

 Wholesale. Extra creamery, 20 and 21 cents ; firsts and extra 

 firsts, 15 and 19 cents; New England dairy, 12 and 16 cents. 

 Retail. Print, 28 and 30 cents ; best tub, 25 and 28 cents ; good 

 tub, 15 and 18 cents. 



June 1. — For the first time this spring, butter has begun to 

 accumulate this week, which makes the market very weak and 

 shaky. The quality of the butter coming in is improving. Prices 



