310 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



operative associations, although there are a few which are 

 proprietary. ]Most of the creameries are in a prosperous 

 condition ; those which are weali are suffering from purely 

 local causes. The expense of manufacturing butter may 

 range from eight to four cents per pound, dependent largely 

 upon the amount manufactured and the location of those 

 who furnish cream. If the cream gatherer has to drive past 

 the residences of A, B, C, D and E to get F's cream, the 

 expense of gathering is too great. It would not cost much 

 more to stop at every house. Co-operation can be made a 

 success only by co-operating. 



In addition to this work, the bureau has placed its execu- 

 tive force at the service of the creameries of the State, as a 

 clearino; house of o-eneral information, and for such clerical 

 work as may be of service and desired by them in collecting 

 and tabulating statistics. 



Dairy Schools. 



Further work has been done liy the dairy bureau in con- 

 ducting dairy schools or conferences. This kind of educa- 

 tional work was a noveltv in New Enjxland until inauaurated 

 by this bureau. The idea was first suggested by the Bay 

 State Agricultural Society, which set the ball in motion by 

 paying one-half of the expense of two schools, — those held 

 at Greenfield and Barre. Folio winii* these a school was held 

 at the Agricultural College, for the benefit of the senior 

 class; and later in the season four more were held, — at 

 Framingham, Charlton, Cheshire and Gardner. At these 

 meetings many kinds of the latest devices in dairy ma- 

 chinery were exhibited in actual operation. As the separa- 

 tors, the churns, the butter workers, the coolers and the 

 aerators were operated, Y)ractical explanations were made 

 and questions answered. Mr. James Cheesman had charge 

 of the technical work, and the meetings seemed to l)e very 

 pr()fital)le and interesting. Many travelled a considerable 

 distance to attend them, and much good seemed to be done. 

 The sight of the various forms of ap})aratus in actual opera- 

 tion gave the meetings an object-lesson value iar Ix'yond 

 what would be possible from a mere lecture or discussion. 



